Motif

The motif in The Secret Life of Bees would be the bees. The motif is a single thing or element through out the book that keeps recurring. This thing or element that continues to occur is mostly a dominant idea or a central theme to the book. The motif effects the text because it builds curiosity in the reader, it makes them think and wonder why this specific thing or element continues to occur? and why is it so important? and what is its purpose? These question draw the reader in more and more. In this case, the book surrounds the bees, like the bees are the center/main part of the book. The bees continue to reoccur in lily Owens life, they appear in her bedroom one night and once she begins to live with the Boatwrights the bees occur several times seeing as the family are bee keepers. The bees in this book are a symbol. They are the symbolism in this book.