T-Ray - The Secret Life of Bees (2008) Discussion

[–] CosmosGirl 15 years ago

When he was looking for her and before he spoke with her he was in a different frame of mind. You can see the change in him while he is at the Boatwright's home. He says when he walks in that he is going to take her home no matter what. However after he sees the pin, and understands that she is in the same place her mother went he seems to break down. She's also matured and has a new strength and conviction that scares him a little.

When he is faced with all of those powerful women and the truth that they know who he is and what he is I think he decided he couldn't win. He might bring her home by force but he'd never have her loyalty. You cannot cage a person that wants to be free. His wife died trying to get away.

Knowing where you belong is for the meek.

reply

[–] MsAnthropy 15 years ago

Very well said, CosmosGirl.

------------------------------
I'll be whatever I want to do!

reply

[–] Anniston 15 years ago

Your post could not be any more eloquent. Well said.

reply

[–] jones-95 15 years ago

Well put CosmoGirl!

Plus, T Ray is not a bad man. He tried to do right by Lilly as best he could. He didn't beat her. He didn't mistreat her. He tried to love her as best he could. I know it was wrong for him to lie to her about her mom but it didn't come from meaness, it came from his own heartache.

So he did recognize that Lilly was better off with the Boatrights than with him. I believe that's why he left her there and why he told her the truth.

http://www.speakmediablog.com/

http://ca.youtube.com/user/SpeakMediaBlog

reply

[–] SweetSorcia 15 years ago

I just can't believe this defense of T-Ray. He didn't beat her - didn't we see him slap her? He didn't mistreat her - what do you call repeatedly making her kneel on grits? He tried to love her as best he could? SERIOUSLY? The man didn't show one ounce of affection towards her, not a single one. Every single interaction he had with her was motivated out of his own selfish need to not be left behind.

I think he decided to leave her there because, in addition to what was said above, he realized that she'd already left him. He might be able to drag her back, but she's become independent and found herself a home where she's loved. He understands on some level that he may be able to move her back physically, but she will never be emotionally dependent on his love again.

That, and I wonder if he doesn't find some comfort in the fact that, by choosing to leave, not only is she leaving him, but he's choosing to leave her as well.

"Well!!! Since when did you become the physical type?"

reply

[–] jessica-88 15 years ago

Please! Preface your comment with "Spolier Alert."

reply

[–] hppg 15 years ago

I dunno, I think that's when they showed his more human side and how he was terribly affected by the mother leaving/accidental shooting and probably did care for her enough to realise she was better off there.

reply

[–] LadyVirgoxoxo 15 years ago

I agree^^^
I just watched a special feature on the dvd where Paul Bettany was saying the reason why T. Ray left her at the house was because he cared for her and knew she'd be better off there.
Somewhere deep down in T. Ray's heart he did care and maybe even love for Lilly. He just didn't know how to show it.

The Da Vinci Code-7/10
Legion-4/10

reply

[–] quembel 14 years ago

I have to say, I didn't find myself completley unsympathetic towards T.Ray either. He was a man bitter that young love didn't last, living with the death of his wife in tragic circumstances and trying to raise a little girl who reminded him so much of her mother. I would have loved if they had given more time to his character. I think the ending seemed unvelieveable because there was so much going on there that it could have used more time to truly play out.

You are not a human being, Lola, you are an epidemic.

reply