The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

When Lily shows Rosaleen the picture that says Tiburon, S. Carolina on it, what does Rosaleen comment on?

"Let me get this straight. You picked Tiburon "cause your mother had a picture with that town written on the back—that's it?"

What year did the bees come?

1964

How old was Lily when her mother died?

4 years old

What on the honey jar gets Lily's attention?

An identical picture of the black Mary that she has. (The Black Madonna)

Why is August critical of the NASA mission?

August is critical of the NASA mission because she thinks it's not possible.

Who is August Boatwright?

August who's a colored woman is the person who made the honey that Lily saw in the store which has the label that is also identical to the one Lily has.

Why did Rosaleen get arrested?

For assault, theft, and disturbing the peace

Who caused Rosaleen's head injury and why?

Franklin Posey, the dealer, and he wanted Roseleen to apologize for pouring the snuff juice on his shoes.

What was the reason for covering the bee hives?

Having bees around would ensure the dead person would live again

What was the "amazing secret" Lily stumbled upon?

Her fainting gives a way to exit life without dying.

What does the narrator (Lily) seem to long for at the beginning of the novel?

Her mother

Why does Zach blame himself for what happened to May?

If he hadn't gotten arrested May wouldn´t have gotten depressed and killed herself

What foreshadowing occurs at the end of chapter 9 by the imagery of its last line?

It foreshadows things bobbing up from the water until it fully goes under.

What were June's talents?

June's talent is that she plays music for the dying people.

Describe June and May Boatwright.

June: She doesn't want Lily and Rosalynn staying there and is even angry about it. Also she resents Lily as Lily reminds her that August was her mother's maid/nanny. However she does have a caring and generous part in her where she plays her cello for dying people. She is afraid to love because at one point she was left at the altar. May: She is one person in the set of twins which include her sister April who committed suicide. It is assumed to be that this is the reason why she feels depressed. She was oversensitive to a point that instead of feeling sympathetic like most she felt empathetic towards the worlds problems. When she finally heard that that Zach had been put in jail that was the limit of her sadness for her and in response to that she committed suicide by drowning herself in a river near their home.

How did Lily's mother die?

Lily accidentally shot her

Where did Lily and Rosaleen stay while with the Boatwright sisters?

Lily and Rosaleen stayed in the honey house which is the house that used to make the honey.

Why does Lily break down crying with Zach?

Lily breaks down crying with Zach because Lily realized that she liked him, but it's impossible for them to be in a relationship.

Why was Lily so insistent that Rosaleen leave the hospital?

Lily doesn't want anything to happen to Rosaleen as she's all she has. Also because the men who beat her up would probably continue the beating until Rosaleen died. Lily knew that the one who would be to blame or be hurt further would be Rosaleen.

What items did Lily find in the attic?

Lily found in her father's attic: a picture of Deborah (her mother), a wooden picture of a black Mary, and a pair of white gloves.

What did Lily overhear June and August talk about one night on the back porch?

Lily heard that they knew Lily was lying to them about why Lily and Rosaleen were actually there.

Where does Lily plan to go once she and Rosaleen leave the hospital?

Lily plans for them to go to Tiburon, South Carolina.

What does Lily put in the wall?

Lily puts her moms name in the wall.

What does Lily steal from the store?

Lily steals the Red Rose snuff.

What reason does Lily give August for running away?

Lily tells August that her father died in a tractor accident and that she thought her way to see her aunt Bernie in Virginia.

What did Lily hope to get from charm school and what really happened?

Lily wanted to learn about manners and how to dress. Unfortunately, she was barred because she had no mother, grandmother, or even an aunt to hand her a rose at the completion of the course.

What dreams did Lily have for her future? Who influenced these dreams?

Lily wants to be a professor and a writer of books, Mrs.Henry influenced these dreams.

Who is T.Ray?

Lily's father

Describe the relationship between Lily and Rosaleen

Lily's nanny and first friend. You could even say that the relationship grows to where Rosaleen seems like a stand-in-mother for Lily.

To whom does Lily pay a visit the night she goes to the house to use the bathroom?

Mary

Explain the purpose of the pieces of paper stuck into the stone wall.

May writes why she's upset on the pieces of paper, it helps May calm down.

What were May's talents?

May's talents is that she can cook well.

. What are Neil and June fighting about?

Neil and June were fighting about how Neil wants to marry her, but June sworn off marrying.

Who is Neil?

Neil is one of the workers for August.

Who are the Daughters of Mary.

Queenie, Violet, Lunelle, Mabelee, and Cressis are the daughters of Mary.

Why was Rosaleen leaving the honey house?

Rosaleen was leaving the honey house because she knew that it would help Lily.

What one question does Lily ask her father and what's his response?

She asks what her favorite color is and he's gonna tear her to pieces.

How and why did April die?

She died by shooting herself; because she got bummed out in life because she was colored.

Why did August put the Black Madonna on her honey jars?

She felt that everyone needs a God who looks like them

What upset Lily about the Father's Day card she made him when she was nine?

She found it the next morning with the skin of a peach stuck to it.

Why is June afraid to marry Neil?

She has been half living her life, being afraid of love ever since Melvin Edwards backed out of her wedding

Describe August Boatwright.

She is a strong-willed and independent woman. She goes unmarried because of the fact it would not allow her to be as independent as she would like. Her spirituality is important as it is a large part of her. As she practices a Virgin Mary centric religion. She is a caring woman. This is shown by her taking not only Lily but Rosaleen as well. Also by how she takes care of May. She even took in Lily's mother and helped her to get better from her depression. She is highly intelligent especially breaking stereotypes because of being black, a woman ,and considering her past work. She runs and owns her own successful businesses. She went to college and graduated. She had such a good qualifications that she was able to become a high school teacher.

What appears odd about May's behavior?

She sings "Oh Susanna" whenever she's upset.

Who is Rosaleen?

She works for the Owen's and acts like a mother figure to Lily. She is also there maid and cleans up around the house.

What is significant about the bees buzzing around the day of May's burial?

Shows that she will rise again

Describe the setting

Sylvan and Tiburon, South Carolina

What surprised Lily about what she revealed to August?

That after the lie Lily told August thinking that August see right through it and not allow her to stay here August welcomes they to her home.

What educational background do June and August have?

The educational background that June and August have is that they studied at a colored teacher collage.

What event surrounded the arrival of Jack Palance?

The event that surrounds the arrival of Jack P. is that he's a celebrity wanting to take a colored woman into the white section in the movies.

What were the circumstances surrounding the release of Zach from jail?

The girl who sold tickets at the theater saw the whole thing and saw who threw the bottle, and since Zach didn't throw it he is off the hook

What's the historical event that took place on September 15 in Birmingham?

The historical event was the "Four little angles ahead" that took place on Sept. 15th in Birmingham.

What was the mystery of "Oh Susanna?"

The mystery is that she sings it to stop herself from crying.

Describe the stone wall.

The stone wall is May's. She uses it in a way so that way she can cope with the sadness she feels and to lessen the sadness that is buildup in her. And by what August says it's because the stones are so reliable is dirty that they will be able to carry that sadness with them stead of May.

Explain the title of the book as it applies to the story lines.

The title of the book applies to the story by the bee's circle back in every word they say.

What problem do Lily and Rosaleen confront when trying to figure out food and lodging?

They have no food. Lily thinks that they could rent a motel or something of that sort and also get some food. However Rosaleen tells her that most likely they won't serve her because she's black.

According to the legend, why was it assumed that the statue was that of Jesus' mother, Mary?

They prayed, and she was sent as a sign.

Why did Rosaleen go into town on the 4th of July?

To register to vote

What request does Lily make of May?

To say hello to her mother and let her know that Lily wants to know she is loved by her mom

What did Rosaleen take from the church?

Two paper fans

How did May learn about Zach's arrest?

When May answered a phone call from Zach's mother saying that Zach is in jail.

What event made Lily believe even stronger that her mother may have been in the pink house.

When she asked May if she knew her mother & she said yes.

What playful event broke the tension between June and Lily?

When they were fighting over the sprinkler outside.

What prevents Lily from telling August the truth?

Zach getting arrested

Who is Zach Taylor?

Zach is a worker for August.

What gift did Zach bring Lily?

Zach's gift to Lily was a notebook for her to write in.