secret life of bees

What reason does August give Lily for not telling her sooner about her mother?

"Because you weren't ready to know about her. I didn't want to risk you running away again"

How does Lily feel when she and August go to collect honey and the bees come out and fly around her?

"I felt like the queen's attendants were out here in a frenzy of love, caressing me in a thousand places"

Lily knows her mother was from Virginia and tells August that she and Rosaleen are headed to Virginia to find their aunt there. What does August say that electrifies Lily?

"I'm from Virginia myself"

What important message is in May's note to August and June?

"It's my time to die, and it's your time to live. Don't mess it up."

After Lily pours the teardrop out of the bottom of the bee jar, she has a "true religious moment" and hears a voice say something. What does the voice say?

"Lily Melissa Owens, your jar is open"

What is Rosaleen's response when Lily asks her why she never told her what she knew about her mother?

"Oh, Lily. Why would I go and hurt you with something like that?"

What promise does Zach make to Lily?

"One day, after I've gone away and become somebody, I'm gonna find you, and we'll be together then."

What does August tell Lily that she always wants Lily to remember?

"Our Lady is not some magical being out there somewhere, like a fairy godmother. She's not the statue in the parlor. She's something inside you"

What is August's reply when Lily asks if she believes putting black cloths over the hives will help May get to heaven?

"Putting black cloths on the hives is for us. I do it to remind us that life gives way into death, and then death turns around and gives way into life."

Lily sees August and June hugging on the floor. What does August say to June that she intends also for Lily?

"Regrets don't help anything, you know that."

What are August's parting words to Lily as she stands in the doorway after putting her to bed on the night of their big conversation?

"There is nothing perfect. There is only life."

What does August say is the whole problem with people?

"They know what matters, but they don't choose it"

Lily tells Zach, "You've got to hear of those things before you can imagine them." What is Zach's response?

"You gotta imagine what's never been"

What does the hat box August brings to Lily in the honey house contain?

1) a pocket mirror 2) a brush with a hair still in it 3) a gold whale-shaped pin 4) a book of English poetry August had given her 5) a picture of Deborah and Lily.

Why is Rosaleen arrested?

1) assaulting three white men 2) theft 3) disturbing the peace

What items were in the paper bag Lily found in the attic?

1) cotton white gloves 2) picture of black mary with Tiburon written on the back 3) photo of her mom leaning against a car

Name the rules for "bee yard etiquette"

1) don't be afraid 2) don't be an idiot 3) don't swat 4) whistle if you feel angry

What are three things we know about Deborah?

1) lured roaches out of the house with marshmallows 2) was an only child 3) buried in Virginia

Why did T.Ray confuse Lily with Deborah

1) she looks like her 2) she was wearing the pin

How old is Lily? Who does she live with?

14; T(errance) Ray

Who was April and what happened to her?

April was May's twin sister and killed herself at 15 (shot herself) because she wasn't able to accept the unfairness of society

When is Mary Day?

August 15

Who comes to help Lily in her struggle against T. Ray?

August and Rosaleen are the first to arrive, but Lily waves them off. Then, the other available Daughters of Mary arrive

What does August tell Lily about her mother that makes Lily say, "I hate her"?

August tells Lily that Deborah had come to Tiburon by herself, leaving Lily with T.Ray

Who is Becca?

Becca is Clayton Forrest's daughter who goes to school with Lily

Who questions Lily and Rosaleen after May's death?

Eddie Hazelwurst

When the dealer hits Rosaleen on the head with a flashlight and Lily screams, what is Mr. Avery Gaston's reaction?

He clamped his hand over Lily's mouth so people wouldn't hear her scream

After T.Ray gets Lily out of jail, they have a fight. What does T.Ray say to Lily that "would sink [her] forever"?

He tells Lily that her mom didn't love her and that she was leaving her the day Lily killed her mom

Why does T.Ray make Lily kneel down on the Martha White grits?

He thinks that Lily snuck out to see a boy

Before Lily went into first grade, T.Ray came to the peach stand to tell her something. What did he want to tell her? Why?

He wanted to tell her the truth about her mother's death incase people started gossiping at school

When Lily asks for the silver charm bracelet for her birthday, T.Ray just looks at her and then keeps on eating. What effect does his response have on her?

Her father's response caused Lily to feel sorrowful and feel the lack of a relationship between her and her father

Why did Deborah Fontanel come to Sylvan?

Her mother died, leaving her alone. A friend of hers had recently moved to Sylvan and recommended it to her

How does T. Ray find Lily?

His phone bill had a collect call from Mr. Clayton Forrest's office. He goes to the office and the secretary tells him where to find Lily

When Lily looks into the book called Mary Through The Ages in August's room, what most shocks her?

In every picture where the angel Gabriel comes to tell her she is going to have "the baby of babies," he has a big white lily for her

Who is opposed to Lily and Rosaleen staying at the Boatwrights' house?

June

What big event happens on the first morning of Mary Day?

June announces that she will finally marry Neil

How do June and August feel about Lily and Rosaleen?

June knows that Lily's hiding something and says that they can't keep her. August argues that this is the only place they can stay

Why did June treat Lily so badly when she first came to the Boatwrights' house?

June resented Lily's mother because August had gone to work at Lily's mother's house

What happens when Lily goes to touch the heart of Our Lady of Chains?

June stops playing her cello causing Lily to freeze and pass out

Who believes people have steel plates in their head?

Lily

What happened to Lily's mother?

Lily accidentally shot and killed her mother at age 4

Lily runs after T. Ray as he leaves, yelling for him to stop. What does she ask him, and what is his response?

Lily asks him for the truth about her mother's death, if she really did accidentally kill her mother. T. Ray softens and confesses that she really did do it without meaning to

When Zach stops at a stop sign next to the Dixie Cafe, Lily declares she "will never throw rose petals to anybody." What happens next?

Lily begins to cry and Zach comforts her

During the overnight hours after she had asked for the charm bracelet, Lily sneaks out of the house and goes somewhere. Where does she go? Why?

Lily goes out to the orchard where she buried her mom's items. She kept everything close to her to make her feel like her mom was there with her

When August says, "Who've we got here?" what is Lily's reply, and how does August respond to that?

Lily introduces herself and Rosaleen and says that they've ran away. August responds by letting them stay until they figure out what to do

What Neil appears on the scene, what does Lily learn about him and June from May?

Lily learns that Neil wants to marry June but June keeps refusing

For what special help did Lily pray to Mary?

Lily prays for a large curtain around the house so she never has to go back

How does Lily get Rosaleen out of the hospital?

Lily pretends she's the jailer's wife and calls the security guard to tell him to go back to the jail

How does having her mother's things and knowing the whole story affect Lily? What does she do?

Lily pulls away into herself, wanting to be alone. She spends a period of time thinking, trying not to think, and grieving

The morning after she is punished for being in the orchard, Lily wakes up late. T.Ray yells at her for not going to work at the peach stand on time. What does Lily understand after T.Ray tells her, "As long as you're under my roof, you'll do what I say!"?

Lily realizes that she needs to run away

Lily sees something in the Frogmore Stew General Store and Restaurant that shocks her. What does she see?

Lily sees jars of honey with pictures of black Madonna

Lily writes a letter to T.Ray then tears it up. That night, what does Lily do in the parlor?

Lily touches the heart of Mary and prays to her

What does Lily do at the wailing wall?

Lily writes down her mother's name and puts it between the cracks of the wall

What brings T. Ray back to his senses?

Lily yells, "Daddy!"

Who is Deborah Fontanel?

Lily's mother

Who was Tica Tee?

Lily's mother's imaginary friend

Who is Rosaleen?

Lily's nanny

Who makes the hats in The Daughters of Mary?

Lunelle

August tells Lily how May is special. What does she say?

May feels other people's pain. August says that May feels all the suffering as if it's happening to her

What does Lily discover May dong that made her have a strange, thick feeling inside and made her feel trembly?

May lures roaches out of the house with graham cracker and marshmallow crumbs, just like Lily's mother did

What critical piece of information does May tell Lily?

May tells Lily that Deborah Fontanel stayed out in the honey house and was "the sweetest thing."

What is Mr. Forrest's secretary's name?

Miss Lacy

Who owns the Frogmore Stew General Store?

Mr. Grady

What is Mary Day?

On the Feast of the Assumption, the Daughters of Mary have a two-day event in which they celebrate the feast day for Mary, remember Our Lady of Chains, and give thanks for the honey crop

What major event on television captures Rosaleen's total attention?

President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law

Why isn't Rosaleen at the jail when Lily goes back to see her?

Rosaleen needed stitches at the hospital

After Lily and Rosaleen are dropped off outside of Tiburon, they have a fight. What do they fight about?

Rosaleen thought Lily ran away to save Rosaleen. Rosaleen became angry because Lily's really just looking for more information about her mother

What is August's advice to June after reading May's note?

She advises June to marry Neil

What does Lily do after August leaves her in the honey house after their talk?

She becomes angry, gets up and smashes the of the honey jars. Then, she sits down in front of the black Madonna, drained, and falls asleep

Why does Lily leave the honey house while everyone seems to be meditating with Our Lady in Chains?

She can't stand to see Mary wrapped in chains, and she doesn't want to meditate or remember the past

What does Lily dream about after fighting with Rosaleen outside of Tiburon?

She dreams about the moon breaking into a bunch of tiny pieces

What happens to May when she finds out about Zach's being arrested?

She goes into a kind of a trance, and then she comes back but isn't at all her usual self. She insists on going to the wall by herself.

Where does Lily go first when she leaves home, and how does she get there?

She goes to the jail and gets a ride from Brother Gerald

What happens to May after she goes to the wailing wall for the last time?

She goes to the river, pulls a rock onto herself, and drowns herself in the river.

What messages does Lily have for May during the vigil?

She hopes May will be happier in heaven, to tell Mary that "we're doing our best to keep her memory going," and to find her mother and let her know that Lily is away from T. Ray and "would appreciate a sign letting her know you love her."

Lily captures bees and puts them in a jar to prove to T.Ray that they really do exist. How does she take care of them, and how do they fare?

She leaves holes in the lid for air to circulate, puts beautiful flowers with lots of pollen, and tries to make the jar as comfortable as possible. The bees do not fare so well in captivity. They desperately try to get out, wear themselves out, and eventually give up. When the jar is opened, the bees remain there

What does August do to help diffuse the situation between T. Ray and Lily?

She says that T. Ray would be doing them all a favor by letting Lily stay, and she promises to take good care of Lily and keep her straight. She gives him a way out of the situation.

What did Lily steal in the Frogmore Stew General Store and why?

She stole a jar of snuff for Rosaleen, because the store didn't sell any goods on Sunday

What declaration does Lily make to T. Ray?

She tells him she will not go back with him

After talking with Zach on the telephone, Lily thinks, "Both of us, it seemed like, were doomed to misery." What does she mean?

She thinks she is doomed to go back to living with T. Ray and Zach is going to a white high school

How does Lily get home after Zach's arrested?

She walks because she doesn't have the keys or money to call

Why does Rosaleen want to go into town?

She wants to register to vote

Lily wakes up T. Ray in the middle of the night to show him something. What does she want to show him? Why?

She wants to show him the swarm of bees in her wall. Thought it was spectacular, so she wanted at least someone to see it

Why did Deborah marry T. Ray?

She was pregnant with Lily

What brings Lily the most cause for gladness while the Daughters of Mary are holding vigil for May?

Sugar-Girl makes a joke about white people, and no one there even thinks about Lily's being white. It is like she "was truly one of them."

What happens in the afternoon after August had taken Lily to see the queenless colony?

T. Ray comes to the Boatwrights' house to take Lily home

What happens to T. Ray when he finds out that Deborah had been at the Boatwrights' home when she left him?

T. Ray confuses Lily with Deborah. He hits her and tells her she would never leave him again. He threatens her with a knife

Who gave Deborah the gold whale-shaped pin and when?

T.Ray gave her the pin for her 22nd birthday

What is the closing image of the novel?

The eight strong women in Lily's life are standing behind, forming the motherly figure she needed

What happens to Becca and Lily at school?

They are teased for associating themselves with Zach and are hit with paper balls

What is the result of Lily and June's fight over the water sprinkler?

They end up laughing and June hugs Lily

What happens when Neil and June are picking tomatoes?

They get into a fight and June begins to throw tomatoes at Neil's car

Where do Lily and Rosaleen go after they escape from the hospital? How do they get there?

They go to Tiburon, South Carolina; they hitchhike and get a ride from a cantaloupe truck driver

After Lily and Rosaleen fight outside of Tiburon, how and when do they get back together?

They meet in the creek and apologize to eachother

What happens when Zach and Lily ride to town to get a new radiator hose?

They see some of Zach's friends and the white men who were waiting for Jack Palance outside the movie theater. One of the boys throws a bottle at one of the white men and gives him a bloody nose. Zach stands with the boys, and they are all arrested.

How does Lily discover Rosaleen loved her "beyond reason"?

When Rosaleen stood up and saved the purple-dyed chick that T.Ray was trying to kill

Which famous writer is from Tiburon?

Willifred Merchant

Who are The Daughters of Mary?

a group August has organized to hold services at her home

Who is Jack Palance?

a movie star

What is Charms School?

a school that provided teachings of proper etiquette to young girls

When Lily first arrives at the Boatwrights' house, she looks around and comes upon the black Madonna. How does the black Madonna make Lily feel?

at first Lily feels guilty and then feels glory

Why do the Daughters of Mary rub honey all over Our Lady?

believed it was a preservative and that it would preserve her for another year

How does Lily act when T.Ray comes inside the Boatwrights' house?

calm and well-mannered

What does May do when an unpleasant topic is brought up? What is the only thing that seems to help her get over it?

going out to the wailing wall

What does Lily think will give her a "real chance" to learn how to be a beautiful, fashionable girl?

going to Charms School

Why is the photograph in the hat box so important?

it shows Lily that her mother loved her, serving as the sign she had been hoping for.

Who is Clayton Forrest?

lawyer who buys honey from August

What has August had to live without knowing all these years?

never knowing exactly how Deborah died

Is the Daughters of Mary all women?

no; Sugar-girl's husband Otis attends the services

Who is Mr. Avery Gaston

police officer who arrested Rosaleen

Who does Lily call from Mr. Forrest's office? Why?

she calls T.Ray to ask him if he knew what her favorite color was

What is the "wailing wall"?

stone wall that has all of the folded-up papers to help May deal with her suffering

What did Mrs. Henry do for Lily?

taught her that intelligence is worth more than beauty, helped her develop a passion for reading, and urge her to go to college

What news does Zach bring on the lunch feast day?

that Jack Palance is coming to Tiburon, and plans to bring a black woman to sit in the white section of the movies with

What surprises Zach about Lily?

that Lily's white

What is Lily's first impression of Zach?

that he's handsome and that they will become good friends

What does the man at the general store tell Lily about August Boatwright?

that she's a colored woman who produces honey and lives in a bright pink house

What feelings does Lily discover when she and Zach go into the country to harvest honey?

that she's attracted to him

What is the relationship of the queen bee to all of the other bees in the hive?

the queen is the mother to all bees in the hive

On what Mary Day does Lily finally talk to August?

the second day (august 16)

How does Zach get out of jail?

the ticket-taker at the movie theater finally comes forward to say which of the boys threw the bottle, and the charges against Zach are dropped.

What was the wailing wall modeled after and who built it?

the wall was modeled after walls in Jerusalem and May built it from rocks from the river

What is odd about the stone wall Lily comes upon in the woods?

there are tiny pieces of folded-up paper stuck in the crevices

What happens to the bees when the queen dies?

they stop working and eventually die out

Where does Rosaleen go in her new red dress with big white flowers?

to register to vote

What does August take Lily out to see first thing in the morning?

to see a queenless colony of bees

What first lets Lily know she has some prejudice buried inside herself?

when Lily was surprised that August was smarter than er. She realized she thought that she was smarter than black women

How did May find out about Zach being arrested?

when she answered a phone call from Zach's mother