The bees
The author uses bees as a symbol of the power of friendship and unity. The three strangers in the rural Oregon town are like bees, and when they know each other, they form a strong bond that enables them to view life from a positive perspective despite having a dark past. Alice invites Jake and Harry to work on her honeybee farm, and they become best friends working together and encouraging each other to forget about the past and focus on the future.
The nefarious pesticide company
The nefarious pesticide company is a symbol of corruption in the community. The company operates in the small town of Oregon without following the standard environmental procedures. The people in authority are corrupted to allow a company that endangers the ecosystem of the community. For instance, the company becomes a number one threat to Alice's bees and other living organisms because the waste and fumes generated from the company are poisonous. Alice and her two close friends stage a protest to show their discomfort with the company, but the authorities remain silent.
Social anxiety
Harry's early life is a symbol of anxiety after the death of his uncle. Harry is homeless, and he does not have any job. Due to his previous criminal record, Harry cannot find any job in the small town of Oregon because everyone knows his reputation. Therefore, Harry has no direction in life, and his only hope is to get a job on the Honeybee farm. When Alice receives Harry's application, he approves it and invites him to work on her farm. Later, Alice is surprised to learn that Harry is the best beehive maker.