Never Give Up

Theme Essay

Courage,  the mental or moral strength to persevere, and to withstand danger, fear, or difficulty; to keep going even in a daunting situation.  Determination, the firm or fixed intention to achieve something, the will to keep going during the tough times (Merriam-Webster). These are only two of the countless themes that are in millions of books across the globe including the book Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

During the beginning of the book you can really see the courage shining through. Rosealeen, a larger black caregiver poured black tar all over the biggest racist in town and he got her arrested then she was put in jail. After that Lily, a young lady who gets abused by her dad after her mom died at a young age, showed tremendous bravery when she broke Rosaleen out of jail. Once they are free they both have the courage to run away from the house that was filled with dreadful people and exceptionally bad memories. Courage is all around.

There are many examples of courage in Secret Life of Bees likewise there are other books with this same theme. In My Sisters Keeper Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can fight the leukemia that has overwhelmed her since childhood. At age 13 Anna decides to show great strength and courage when she puts her foot down doing something that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and perhaps have fatal consequences for the sister she loves so dearly to her heart.

Although courage is important we would have no need for it without the determination to accomplish a task. When Lily runs away with Roseleen she shows the determination to break free from the house that was filled with anger, frustration, abuse, and many other things. Once Lily runs away she shows tremendous determination to find out the secrets to her mother's past.

Without the determination of Lily and Rosealeen in the book Secret Life Of Bees the plot would be flat and boring, this is also true for the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The books are about the adventures of a wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry shows remarkable determination on his quest to overcome the Dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, whose goal is to conquer the wizarding world, control all non-magical people, and destroy all those who stand in his way, especially Harry Potter.

There are numerous different themes in the book Secret Life of Bees including determination and courage.  When a child takes their first steps, finally walking alone it is a huge step on the ladder of life, they had to show great determination and courage to get up off their stomach and see life from a whole new perspective. This just goes to show you that determination and courage is everywhere and is in everyone.