An entry on Poetry and its relation to The Secret Life of Bees
This blog was supposed to be posted Friday, but let’s just say I was preoccupied… On Tuesday I passed out in Biology class, and got a concussion from hitting my head on a lab table. Instead of working on this blog post, I was busy laying in a dark room, waiting to be allowed to go back to school. Maybe next time I should sit down before deciding to pass out in the middle of class. Now that I am better though, I am allowed to work on schoolwork again! YAY!
Anyways, today I am going to be talking about a poem by Rita Dove called “Rosa”. The title of the poem is referencing Rosa Parks, an African American activist, who famously started the Montgomery Bus Boycott. You’re probably wondering “Julia, Why are you talking about a poem, if this blog is centered around the book The Secret Life of Bees?” , but there is a method to my madness I swear. Dove’s poem and Kidd’s novel actually have quite a bit in common. Both selections focus on the Civil Rights Movement and standing up for what you believe in. A Phrase in the poem says “the time right inside a place so wrong it was ready.” (Dove lines 2-3) which highlights the idea that the right thing must be done even if it is labeled as wrong. This stood out to me because it reminded me of the scene in The Secret Life of Bees when Rosaleen travels to town to register herself to vote, and she is treated with intense racism. Similar to Rosa Parks, Rosaleen was being mistreated, and punished for doing the right thing. The diction of “courtesy” and “trim name” (Dove lines 4 and 12) in the poem help to point out that Rosa was doing no harm in the situation, was polite, and a well turned out person.
It is almost unimaginable how many lives were affected by the punishment and hatred these people were receiving during the 50s and 60s. Although some things can be treated as wrong, sometimes it is better to voice your own opinion and do what you believe is right.
Thanks for tuning in!
-Julia
If you would like to read the poem “Rosa” by Rita Dove click the link below!
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-04-bk-52719-story.html
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