The Secret Life of Bees (chapter 4-6)

Summary
Lily and Rosaleen meet August Boatwright and her two sisters, May and June. They are invited to stay in the Boatwright home, Rosaleen is offered a housekeeping job, and Lily is offer a beekeeping job. The women began to bond finding out eachothers faults and personalities. Lily enjoys her freedom at the Boatwrights' and the lack of T-Ray's influence. Rosaleen and Lily are introduced to the Boatwrights religous ways, but notice racial disputes in the country making Lily wonder why God created different sin colors. Neil, June's boyfriend, wakes Lily up for breakfast but asks her a lot of questions making her feel awkward. August begans the sermon and reads the tale of Black Mary while June begans to play the piano. Everyone pays their repsects before leaving, but when Lily gets June stops playing the piano causing Lily to feel like an outcast. She gets dizzy and passes out, then Rosaleen and August tend to her.
Quote
"She was black as could be, twisted like driftwood from being out in the weather, her face a map of all the storms and journeys she’d been through. Her right arm was raised as if she was pointing the way, except her fingers were closed in a fist. It gave her a serious look, like she could straighten you out if necessary" (Kidd 93)
Reaction
Lily is describing the statue of Black Mary. Reading this quote shows me that the statue really caught Lily's attention. she was drawn to it and studied its features. If a statue like that was in my living room, I would probably do the same. The fact that it's so different from the original character of The Virgin Mary who is white. It's jus fascinating.