Chapter One Journal Questions for The Secret Life of Bees
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Describe the relationship between Lily and Rosaleen.
Describe the relationship between Lily and T. Ray.
How did Lilys mother die?
Do you posses some mementos once belonging to a deceased relative or friend?
What are these items special to you or your family?
5. What dreams did Lily have for her future? Who influenced these dreams?
6. On page 18, T. Ray asks Lily what she remembers about her mothers death. She
was four at the time. What are your earliest memories? How early do we have the
capacity to remember? Support your opinion.
7. After asking for the charm bracelet, Lily sneaks out of the house and goes
somewhere. Where does she go? Why?
8. What major event on television captures Rosaleen's attention?
9. How does the minister react to seeing Rosaleen in his church? What does this tell
us about the time period? What do you think of his response?
10. Why did Rosaleen go into town on the 4th of July? What happens instead and
why?
Chapter Two Journal Questions for The Secret Life of Bees
1.Who caused Rosaleens head injury and why?
2. Describe the exchange between Lily and T Ray the evening after he picked her up from
jail. What do we learn from this exchange? How do you think Lily feels?
3. Lily describes herself as having such a moment right then.(41) and then goes on to
say she heard a voice say Lily Melissa Owens, your jar is open (41). Explain the
significance of that revelation.
4. Why does Lily say I was thinking how much older fourteen had made me. In the
space of a few hours Id become forty years old (43). What occurred to make her feel
this way? What makes children grow up too fast?
5. The Supremes song that Lily hears makes her think: Theres nothing like a song about
lost love to remind you how everything precious can slip from the hinges where youve
hung it so careful (50). Write about a song that resonates with you, or reminds you of
something and explain why.
6. When Lily shows Rosaleen the picture that says Tiburon, S. Carolina on it, what does
Rosaleen comment on?
7. In Lilys desperate search for Rosaleen, she notices a tree (55). Explain what
connection she makes between that tree and life? How does it relate to what we have read
in the novel so far?
8. Do you believe Rosaleen was justified in not apologizing to the three men?
9. The author describes the Sylvan Memorial Hospital with a list of smells (45). How can
smell characterize a place?
Chapter Three
1. Lily finds herself making choices based on signs she interprets. What is she
trying to decide based on seeing the crop duster flying over the crops in Tiburon?
2. What does Lily steal from the store and why?
3. Lily sees something in the Frogmore Stew General Store and Restaurant that
shocks her. What does she see?
4. Would you classify Lily finding the jars of Black Madonna Honey as a sign?
5. What does it mean when Lily says she is thankful for the poor news reporting?
6. On page 60, Rosaleen and Lily discuss the meaning of the Civil Rights Act. What
problem do they encounter when trying to figure out food and lodging? What is
significant about Rosaleens response to Lilys question?
Chapter Four
1. When Lily first arrives at the Boatwrights' house, she looks around and comes
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upon the black Madonna. How does the black Madonna make Lily feel?
What first lets Lily know she has some prejudice buried inside herself?
What is odd about the stone wall Lily comes upon in the woods?
What reason does Lily give August for running away?
Describe June and May Boatwright.
6. Lily said She fell down the front steps when we were leaving. August and June
traded looks while Rosaleen narrowed her eyes, letting me know I had done it
again, speaking for her like she wasnt even there (pg72). Discuss why Lily does
this to Rosaleen. For what reasons might we tend to speak for someone who is
standing right next to us instead of letting them speak for themselves?
Chapter Five
1. What does May do when an unpleasant topic is brought up? What is the only
thing that seems to help her get over it?
2. Explain the significance of Lilys wondering about Mays sensitivity: Would it
divide the hurt in two, make it lighter to bear, the way feeling someones joy
seemed to double it? (p 95)
3. How do June and August feel about Lily and Rosaleen?
4. On page 87, June says: But shes white, August. Lily overhears her. Why is this
unusual for Lily to hear?
5. Name the rules for "bee yard etiquette." How do they relate to the way in which
we should treat others?
6. What is the significance of the Beatrix story for Lily?
7. Who was April and what happened to her? What caused April to become deflated
about life? (97) What does this mean?
8. What is the historical event that took place on Sept. 15 in Birmingham?
9. What does Lily put in the wall?
Chapter Six
1. Who is Neil? What does Lily learn about him?
2. Who are the Daughters of Mary?
3. August says, Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we cant
remember who we are or why were here in reference to Our Lady of Chains, but
how does this quote also apply to Lily?
4. What is significant about the name Our Lady of Chains?
5. Briefly re-tell the story of Our Lady of Chains.
Chapter Seven
1. What is Lily's first impression of Zach?
2. Why does Zach get upset when Lily suggests he could be a professional player?
3. Zach says: You gotta imagine whats never been (121). What does he mean?
4. When Zach stops at a stop sign next to the Dixie Cafe, Lily declares she "will
never throw rose petals to anybody." What does this mean? What happens next?
5. How does Lily feel about Rosaleen moving to May's room?
6. What happens when Neil and June are picking tomatoes?
7. What gift did Zach bring Lily?
8. Lily, I like you better than any girl Ive ever known, but you have to understand,
there are people who would kill boys like me for even looking at girls like you,
Zach tells Lily on page 135. What does this comment say about the social climate
of the times?
