Literary Merit

The Secret Life of Bees deserves a place in the literary cannon because it is a book that touches on subjects that were prominent in 1964 as well as in today’s society. This novel also is relevant because it gives insight into the life of African Americans during the Civil Rights era, and how its irrationality affected all of the people in this era. Another reason for this novel’s relevance is the fact that it offers a lot of wisdom about life, loving others, and learning to forgive. All of the themes of this novel are especially important for teenage students to understand, they are at a critical crossroads in their journey to adulthood and need wisdom to help guide them. This is also a reason for the novel’s longevity, besides the fact that teenage daughters especially can relate to Lily Owens and the feelings that she has.