The Secret Life of Bees Lies and Deceit Quotes

Lily has a talent for making up tall-tales—she does it throughout the book—but here, her fibbing skills fail her and she ::gasp:: tells the truth: She and August have run away from home and need a place to stay. She recovers quickly, though, and puts some patently false finishing touches (e.g., fake last names) on her tale.

Lily explains the art of lying. Although Lily's tendency to lie is hardly presented as a great thing, secrecy is her way of ensuring privacy and protection.

Here, Rosaleen indicates that she, too, understands secrecy as a form of privacy, which it is Lily's right to protect.