Sue Monk-Kidd In The Secret Life Of Bees, And Bernhard...

How does Sue Monk-Kidd in The Secret Life of Bees, and Bernhard Schlink in The Reader use techniques to explore the idea that it is essential to confront the truth about the past? Sue Monk-Kidd in her novel The Secret Life of Bees, and Bernhard Schlink in The Reader, explore how it is absolutely essential to confront the truth about the past. Temporal setting in both texts is important to understand the ubiquitous desire to address the past. Narrative voice provides important comprehension of the longing to consolidate their history. The climaxes are important in displaying the repercussions of disregarding truths elapsed. Structure of the texts highlights the correlation between the past and present. The authors of both texts heavily†¦show more content†¦First person narration provides insight to how story telling is used as a coping mechanism, for addressing their own conflicts in the past. Lily tells stories as she believe, â€Å"stories have to be told or they die,† which provides explanation for her need to cling to past memories of her mother as, â€Å"when they die, we can t remember who we are or why we re here.† (page ?) Similarly Michael recalls tales of Hanna in his writing, which portrays the lasting impact of their relationship. The authors differ in their approach to the reliability of their narrator, Monk-Kidd utilises Lily as an unequivocally honest narrator, whilst Schlink’s narrator is rather devious in their recount. Their narration reveals perceptions that they are uncomfortable to share with society, such as Lily describing attraction to boy, and Michael’s confession towards his own morality in regards to his affair. Lilyà ¢â‚¬â„¢s narration is heartfelt, whereas Michael looks at the events objectively and analytically. This changes the way the texts are perceived as readers relate their own experiences of coming of age, and the trials of adolescence. Contrasty to viewing Michael’s narration as a cold and distant moral trial, which forces readers to participate with Michael’s attempts at redemption like a jury, as he likens the tapes he made to send to Hanna