The Secret Life of Bees
Chapters 11 & 12 Questions
Chapter 11:
1. What three things do the Boatwrights do after May’s death? What is the
purpose of doing these things?
2. Chapter eleven ends with the words: “Wading in up to my neck.” What does
this mean as a transition for Lily in life and as a structural element in the
story?
Writing Frame: Chapter Eleven
Read the passage from Chapter 11 beginning, “Zach caught up with me as I reached
the tomato garden,” and ending, “Wading in up to my neck.” Write a well-organized
and well-structured constructed response in which you examine at least one symbol
and its contribution to the structure of the passage.
In Sue Monk Kidd’s novel, ___________________________________________________, one symbol
in chapter eleven contributes to the overall passage. The symbol is
___________________________ and it helps convey
_______________________________________________________________________________________________.
By using this symbol, the chapter
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________. It contributes to the
passage and novel by
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________. Overall, the use
of this symbol
________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Chapter 12:
1. What mood is created while Lily waits to speak with August about her
mother? What details from the chapter help to create this mood?
2. Lily realizes her name is symbolic (remember what I talked about at the
beginning of the unit?). Explain what Lily Melissa means in relationship to
one of the themes of the novel.
3. Summarize what Lily knows now about her mother and T. Ray that she did
not know when she left.