Valeria, Post Three

The Secret Life of Bees ends uncertainly, with each of the characters starting a new chapter in their lives. Lily’s hectic story calms down, Rosalie isn’t wanted as a criminal, June gets married, and August is adjusting to all the changes in her life. One reason Sue Monk Kidd might have left a cliffhanger was to let us ponder the end. Like when someone gives you a box and tells you to imagine that the perfect gift inside it, everyone will think of different things. If only one ending was written, not everyone would be satisfied with the way the characters’ stories continued. Something else that the author might have anticipated is the fact that this book might not be able to end happily in every respect. After all, this is set in times in the Civil War. Zach cannot just become an attorney; he will have to work toward that goal. Even with the right mind, though, the society cannot alter in the blink of an eye. There will still be hardships along the way. The changing views about black people will take years to set in place.