In CliffsNotes on Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees, you explore the rural South in the Civil Rights era of the 1960s, where a young girl named Lily Owens is growing up unwanted and unloved. Escaping her home, she begins a journey of self-discovery and learns about racial prejudice. Taken in by a community of strong African-American sisters, she gains strength, knowledge, and self-forgiveness before finally confronting the injustice of the law and the wrath of her callous father.

This study guide, which carefully walks you through Lily’s learning to love herself living within a community of strong, independent women and to trust her own instincts and mature into a young lady who believes in herself, provides summaries and critical analyses of each chapter of the novel. You'll also explore the life and background of the author, Sue Monk Kidd. Other features that help you study include

• An overview of the novel
• A list of characters, including analyses of major characters
• A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
• Analyses of major themes and symbols
• A glossary of important terms and phrases from the novel

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