In "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd, the central role of the queen bee is highlighted, emphasizing her significance in the hive. The queen's primary function is to lay eggs, ensuring the survival and continuity of the bee community. This biological duty establishes her as a pivotal figure, as all the worker bees rely on her to maintain the hive's existence.

The author conveys a sense of maternal influence through the queen bee, who is not only a reproductive entity but also a nurturing figure. Each worker bee recognizes the queen as their mother, reinforcing the idea of familial bonds within the hive. This connection underscores the importance of the queen in nurturing thousands of bees, illustrating how every bee's role is interconnected and rooted in the queen's life-sustaining function.