Point of View

Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees is written in the first person from the point of view of Lily Melissa Owens, the fourteen-year-old heroine. By seeing the story through Lily's eyes, readers are able to feel her pain and anguish at having been abandoned by her mother and understand her personal struggle to come to terms with her life and her animosity towards her father. We also witness her growth and development as she matures. Once a pessimistic young lady, she changes into one who begins to see the world and herself in a more positive light. She understands what love is, that she can be loved and that she can love others without dire consequences. This is especially evident when Lily feels she must lie to August, allowing Lily time to grow fond of August and love her before she tells August the truth.

The...