Realistic Fiction Project
Hyunso Ju
Mrs. Larson
Period 6
12/1/4
Realistic Fiction Project
Set in South Carolina 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose
whole life has been haunted by the fact that she murdered her own mother at the age of only four.
She lives with her abusive father, Tray. At least until Lily’s black “standin mother” Rosaleen ran into some conflict with a few racists in town. The next thing you know, They both escape to
Tiburon, and end up at the Boatwright sisters’ house. Ironically, coming to Tiburon helped her learn more about her passed mother and what actually occurred that afternoon her mother died.
Not only that, living with the sisters matures her into a young women and finally gives her a supportive family to call her own. Protagonist and narrator of the story, Lily Owens is a white, fourteen year old teen living in South Carolina. Once she has had enough of her abusive father, she escapes from him with
Rosaleen. Coming to Tiburon made her realize the qualities she possesses. Determination is one of the many traits she has. Because of this, she does everything she can possibly do to find out more about her mother. She also has the trait to forgive. Even after she finds out her mother ditched her at a young age and realizes how horribly Tray treated her, she forgives both of them. Tray is the obvious antagonist of the story. He manipulates Lily into believing that she is the cause of her mother’s death. Not only that, he is the worst father a young girl could have. He
abused and hurt her. For punishments, Tray makes her kneel on dry gritz till her knees bleed, and refuses to show any signs of love or even act once as a fatherly figure to Lily.
Lily soon gives in and ends her days of misery as she stands up to Tray. She confronts him by saying that she refuses to go back to living with him in her old home. This is a big change for
Lily as she couldn't even speak for herself before. The main
Mrs. Larson
Period 6
12/1/4
Realistic Fiction Project
Set in South Carolina 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose
whole life has been haunted by the fact that she murdered her own mother at the age of only four.
She lives with her abusive father, Tray. At least until Lily’s black “standin mother” Rosaleen ran into some conflict with a few racists in town. The next thing you know, They both escape to
Tiburon, and end up at the Boatwright sisters’ house. Ironically, coming to Tiburon helped her learn more about her passed mother and what actually occurred that afternoon her mother died.
Not only that, living with the sisters matures her into a young women and finally gives her a supportive family to call her own. Protagonist and narrator of the story, Lily Owens is a white, fourteen year old teen living in South Carolina. Once she has had enough of her abusive father, she escapes from him with
Rosaleen. Coming to Tiburon made her realize the qualities she possesses. Determination is one of the many traits she has. Because of this, she does everything she can possibly do to find out more about her mother. She also has the trait to forgive. Even after she finds out her mother ditched her at a young age and realizes how horribly Tray treated her, she forgives both of them. Tray is the obvious antagonist of the story. He manipulates Lily into believing that she is the cause of her mother’s death. Not only that, he is the worst father a young girl could have. He
abused and hurt her. For punishments, Tray makes her kneel on dry gritz till her knees bleed, and refuses to show any signs of love or even act once as a fatherly figure to Lily.
Lily soon gives in and ends her days of misery as she stands up to Tray. She confronts him by saying that she refuses to go back to living with him in her old home. This is a big change for
Lily as she couldn't even speak for herself before. The main