The Secret Life of Bees Study Guide                     

 

Directions: Read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and answer all of the questions included in this study guide.  The questions are not necessarily in the same order as the events of the book.  This assignment will be your first grade for the first quarter so be sure that your responses are accurate, thorough, and legible.  The completed study guide for The Secret Life of Bees is due in English class on Friday, September 11th. 

 

1. What is the setting (time and place in which the novel is set) of The Secret Life of Bees?

 

2. How did Lily's mother die?

 

3. What does Lily want to do when she grows up?

 

4. What color is August's house?

 

5. What was the name of May's twin sister?

 

6. Why does Lily love Rosaleen? Why is she ashamed of her?

 

7. What does Zach want to do for a living?

 

8. Where does May go when she is sad?

 

9. In the middle of Chapter 5, August explains the rules of how to behave around the beehives to Lily.  List these rules.

 

10. What gift does Zach give Lily?

 

11. What does Rosaleen steal from the church?

 

12. What present did T. Ray give Deborah that Lily wears?

 

13. What does Zach give Lily to remember him by?

 

14. What do the women rub all over the Our Lady of Chains statue?

  

15. List all the crimes committed against Lily and Rosaleen.  Include the name of the person who committed the crime.

  

16. Why does Zach refuse to tell who threw the bottle? 

 

17. Reread the first paragraph of chapter 9. What events in chapter 9 are foreshadowed by this opening paragraph?

 

18. What does Lily touch for strength?

 

19. What is Lily's favorite snack?

 

20. What is the purpose of the vigil?

 

21. Where is the gathering held? How is the space decorated?

 

22. Who attends?

 

23. How long does it last? What activities are there?

 

24. What is the purpose of Mary Day?

 

25. Where is the gathering held? How is the space decorated?

 

26. Who attends?

 

27. How long does it last? What activities are there?

 

28. List three ways both occasions (the vigil and Mary Day) are similar.

 

29. List three ways the two gatherings are different.

 

30. What conclusions can be reached about the way people mourn and rejoice? 

 

31. What color does August drape the hives in when May dies?

 

32. What are the two most significant truths or lessons that the events of The Secret Life of Bees have taught you? Explain.