In The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, a scene I find especially frustrating is when Rosaleen refuses to apologize to the white men she poured her "snuff jug" on.
When Lily and Rosaleen are on their way into town so Rosaleen can vote, they run into trouble. They see white men playing a card game and the men start saying offensive words to Rosaleen. Lily tries to calm Rosaleen before anything gets out of hand, but it is too late. Rosaleen takes the situation into her own hands, and throws her cup of spit on the men's shoes. They react angrily, and a policeman who is close by escorts Rosaleen and Lily to jail. While in the car, both women could see that the men are following them because they were not done with Rosaleen. When they arrive at the police station, the men are waiting for Rosaleen. The gang leader named Franklin is gripping a hefty flashlight in his hands, and as soon as they get close enough, he smacks Rosaleen on the head with it. When he does this, he asks for an apology, but she refuses to give him one. After a little bit, the policeman stops the violence and escorts Rosaleen and Lily inside. Later, T. Ray comes to get Lily. In the meantime, Rosaleen is being taken to the hospital because "two of them held me by the arms while the other one hit me- the one with the flashlight. He said 'Nigger, you say you're sorry.' When I didn't, he came at me. He hit me until the policeman said that was enough. They didn't get an apology, though," (46). It makes me sick to think that people actually treated African Americans like that. I wish Rosaleen would give them what they want, and go on. I think that this scene shows that Rosaleen is a strong-willed person that doesn't give up easily. There is a possibility that this scene could foreshadow later events. I think Rosaleen will be the protector of Lily, causing herself pain for Lily's sake. The scene portrays Rosaleen's confidence in her beliefs, and how she will not let go of her opinion because someone criticizes her for the way she thinks. I just wish she did not have to get hurt because of her convictions. I find her attitude very admirable in a person.
