SLOB Timed Write

In the novel, The Secret Life of Bees, the time period provides different challenges that the
characters must overcome. 1964 was a very important year in history for the black population and the rest
of America. This year was when the Civil Rights bill was passed and black people were finally allowed to
vote.There are many events in this novel that illuminate the struggles of black people and how they and
Lily overcame particular events in their lives, like Lily killing her mother.
One event that clearly portrays the hardships of living in a world where black people are
discriminated against is when Lily and Rosaleen are walking into town to get Rosaleen registered to vote.
This is a crucial moment in Lilys life where she realizes that the world can be an ugly place. When
Rosaleen pours her snuff juice over the white mans shoes and refuses to apologize is where the reader
can see that by one defiant act, people can change the world a little at a time. This sort of defiance can
also be seen when Zach gets arrested. By choosing to stay with his friends and not ratting one of them
out, Zach is showing loyalty to his race. In this time period, this behavior is dangerous but Zach crosses
the line to stand up for what he believes in.
A moment in the story that could be over looked was when Zach takes Lily to his lawyer friend's
office and when his secretary finds out Lily is living with the Boatwright sisters, she expresser her
disbelief. The crucial part of this is when Lily replies with Yes ma'am . She doesnt try to make excuses
or tries to explain it. Its her mundane answer that expresses her feelings about black people, she sees
them the same way she sees white people. Another event that transcends the time period is when Lily
kisses Zach. During this time period inter racial couples were extremely disapproved of but by breaking
this social norm, Lily is once again changing the world.
The story of Lily and her adventures with the Boatwright sisters transcends the time period by
defying and breaking social standards. The examples mentioned clearly portray how little acts of defiance
can turn into something more and one day change the world. Lilys experiences through these hardships
can make the reader feel thankful to be living in a world with equality.