External Hardships:
* Loss and Abandonment: Lily is haunted by the death of her mother and the abandonment by her father. This leaves her feeling deeply insecure and longing for a sense of belonging.
* Abuse: Lily experiences physical and emotional abuse from her father, T. Ray, which deeply scars her. This abuse creates a constant fear and sense of danger.
* Poverty and Lack of Education: Lily lives in poverty, struggling to make ends meet with her father. She also lacks access to proper education, which limits her opportunities and sense of self-worth.
* Racism and Discrimination: As a young black girl growing up in the South during the 1960s, Lily faces racism and prejudice daily. She experiences this in the form of segregation, limited opportunities, and societal expectations that prevent her from fully expressing herself.
* Navigating a New Life: Leaving her home with Rosaleen, Lily faces the challenge of adjusting to a new environment and building relationships with the Boatwright sisters. This is further complicated by the fact that they are black women, and Lily is still grappling with her own identity and place in the world.
Internal Hardships:
* Guilt and Shame: Lily struggles with guilt over her mother's death and shame over her own actions. She believes she is responsible for her mother's death, and this weighs heavily on her.
* Lack of Self-Worth: Lily's experiences of abuse and abandonment have led to a low sense of self-worth. She feels insignificant and unworthy of love and belonging.
* Uncertain Identity: Lily's racial identity and her place in the world are deeply uncertain. She is unsure of her heritage and struggles to define her own identity.
* Fear and Anxiety: Lily's experiences with abuse and racism have left her fearful and anxious. She worries about the future and is constantly on edge.
* Longing for Love and Acceptance: Lily deeply desires love and acceptance from others. This longing motivates her to seek out the Boatwright sisters and their community, where she finds some sense of belonging.
Overcoming Hardships:
Despite the many hardships she faces, Lily is a resilient character. She perseveres through her struggles and gradually finds strength and hope. Through her journey, she learns about love, acceptance, forgiveness, and her own identity.
Overall, Lily's journey in *The Secret Life of Bees* is about overcoming the challenges of a difficult past and finding her own path to healing and self-discovery.