In addition to bees, the novel uses secrets as a motif.
Lily keeps a special box away from T. Ray, and she tries to keep
secret from Rosaleen the fact that she has gone to Tiburon to find
evidence of Deborah. Both Lily and Rosaleen keep their true identities
a secret from the Boatwright sisters. In turn, August keeps secret
from Lily the fact that she believes Lily to be lying. August refuses
to pressure or probe Lily about why she has arrived at the farm.
Everybody tries to keep secrets about horrible events from May,
who becomes distraught when she hears about suffering. The different
types of secrets show that some secrets are necessary. August and
Lily realize that trust takes time, so they let each other keep
secrets. Similarly, using secrets to protect May is noble, rather
than ridiculous, as the truth shall cause more damage than the lie
as far as sensitive May is concerned.
