In chapter three of the novel, there is a quote stating that “New beekeepers are told that the way to find the elusive queen is by first locating her circle of attendants.” (57). This quote serves as a foreshadowing of future events and references two important metaphors in the novel: bees and the queen, symbolizing society and a mother figure. While many interpret this quote as Lily’s search for a new mother figure, potentially finding it in August, I believe it holds another significance as well.
In “The Secret Life of Bees,” the Black Madonna is seen as both a queen and a mother figure for all the women. In chapter three, Lily wakes up feeling like she has spent the night near Thoreau’s Walden Pond. While waiting for Rosaleen to wake up, Lily looks at her mother’s picture of the black Virgin Mary. It is revealed that Lily doesn’t know much about Catholicism, as she was told by Brother Gerald that hell was a bonfire for Catholics. After some time, Lily decides to awaken Rosaleen, who tells her about a dream involving Martin Luther King Jr. painting her toenails with his spit. As they venture into town, Rosaleen explains that no motel will allow a colored woman to stay, despite the passing of the Civil Rights Act. This revelation shocks Lily, as she wonders about the purpose of the Civil Rights Amendment if Rosaleen still faces discrimination.
While continuing their walk, Lily searches for a divine sign to guide her, and they stumble upon Frogmore Stew General Store and Restaurant. Lily enters the store to purchase lunch and also manages to pilfer a can of snuff for Rosaleen, as the store is only permitted to sell restaurant food on Sundays. While inside, she notices a jar of honey with the same image of the black Virgin Mary as her mother’s picture. Curious, she inquires about the honey’s creator and learns that August Boatwright, a beekeeper residing in a vibrant pink Pepto Bismol-colored house, is responsible.
Lily decides she must visit this house. Prior to going to August’s house, they purchase a newspaper and are grateful to see that the news of Lily freeing Rosaleen from prison and escaping has not been published. It is intriguing how Sue Monk Kidd has incorporated religious motifs into her book. The main character’s name is Lily, and the lily is the flower that represents the Virgin Mary. In chapter one, Lily is captivated by the emergence of bees and even envisions them gathering in her bedroom as she lays awake in bed at night.
Lily mentions that the bees arrived “like the angel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary.” She acknowledges that comparing her own life to Mary’s may seem bold, but she believes Mary wouldn’t mind. This comparison to the Annunciation, when Gabriel informed Mary of her divine pregnancy, demonstrates that Lily, who is wise beyond her years, has a sense that her life is about to undergo a profound transformation, bringing her a new existence. In chapter three, Lily discusses her limited understanding of Catholicism.
The author uses this information to foreshadow and create dramatic irony. It exposes the hypocrisy of the church Lily grew up in and sets the stage for the later contrast between religions. The Methodist Church in Sylvan, with its deacons barricading the entrance to keep away African Americans, consider hell as exclusively for Catholics. This contradicts the message of love taught by Christ, whom they claim to follow. Their failure to truly connect with Catholics is symbolized by the plastic gloves they wear, displaying the five-part plan of salvation. Ironically, Lily finds solace and love in the Catholic sect of the Black Madonna, where she is touched and cared for unconditionally. This stands in stark contrast to her experiences in the church in Sylvan. Furthermore, Rosaleen’s dream also carries religious significance.
While Rosaleen may believe that Reverend King would be proud of her for standing up for herself and her rights, I interpret the dream as having religious symbolism, with the color red being significant. This biblical reference is reminiscent of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. The prominence of red and the religious tone of the dream may also indicate that Rosaleen has a premonition of Reverend King’s impending death. However, the most captivating religious metaphor revolves around the Black Madonna, which holds various meanings for different individuals.
According to Lily, the Black Madonna serves as a connection to her mother or any information about her. Conversely, for Rosaleen and other women, it provides them with determination and resilience to persist despite life’s hardships. Simultaneously, both Lily and Rosaleen attribute significant importance to the Black Madonna as it represents feminism. It should be emphasized that August mentioned, “The people called her Our Lady of Chains…because she broke them” (110). The Black Madonna was present during slavery in the South and symbolized both freedom and solace.
Lily had to search for a deeper meaning of home and motherhood, which involved reconnecting with herself and finding the maternal figure within her. Like the strong black women in her community, Lily had to tap into an extraordinary inner strength. This strength came from embracing the divine feminine, specifically embodied by a Black Mary. The author, Kidd, believed it was crucial to depict Mary as black not only because the women who revered her were black, but also because Black Madonna images have historically been associated with rebellions and uprisings.
The Black Madonna is similar to the White Madonna prior to the church removing its intriguing elements. The Lady of Chains, also known as the Black Madonna, possesses a profound meaning that is difficult to comprehend. It represents liberation from captivity and enslavement. For the Calendar sisters, their Lady of Chains signifies freedom from the bondage that they or their ancestors experienced due to their race. However, for Lily, I believe that The Lady of Chains holds an altogether distinct significance.
When Lily desired to physically touch her heart but was unable to, I perceive this as a representation of her longing to connect with her mother, which was unattainable. If she were able to reach the heart of the Lady of Chains, it would enable her to liberate herself from the emotional bondage and anguish stemming from the absence of her mother. The epigraphs found at the commencement of each chapter in the novel imply that the pink house serves as a communal environment resembling a beehive. In terms of identifying the queen bee within the novel, it could potentially be August or the Black Madonna. Personally, I believe it encompasses elements of both characters.
