Independent Study Guide and Summer Assignment
The Secret Life of Bees and The Old Man and the Sea
English 9.6 and HP
Step #1: Acquire a copy of The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. (We
recommend that you purchase the 2002 Penguin Publisher version.) Acquire a
copy of The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. (We recommend
Scribner Paperback edition.)
Step #2: Before you read the novels, review this packet to understand what
is required of you.
Step #3: When you read, read in a quiet area without distractions such as
iPods, computers, televisions, or radios.
Step #4: As you read, interact with the text by
a. taking notes in the margins or on post-it-notes.
b. underlining or highlighting important quotes.
c. identifying required literary devices.
Please go on to the next page
Summer Reading Assignment - English 9.6 & HP
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Identify (pick out) an example from the novel for each of the following literary terms. Explain in a sentence how the author uses
the literary technique to enhance the plot or characterization. Be sure to provide a page number citation for the quote you use.
Example Response:
Simile:
Quote
“She’s said he ran like the wind.”
Page #
117
How does the author use this literary technique to enhance the plot or characterization?
The author uses the simile to give the reader descriptive detail about how quickly Zach ran.
1. Simile:
Quote
Page #
How does the author use this literary technique to enhance the plot or characterization?
2. Metaphor:
Quote
How does the author use this literary technique to enhance the plot or characterization?
Page #
Summer Reading Assignment - English 9.6 & HP
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
3. Personification:
Quote
Page #
How does the author use this literary technique to enhance the plot or characterization?
4. Symbol:
Quote
Page #
How does the author use this literary technique to enhance the plot or characterization?
5. Imagery:
Quote
How does the author use this literary technique to enhance the plot or characterization?
Page #
Summer Reading Assignment - English 9.6 & HP
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Answer the following questions about the novel in complete sentences.
1. Identify Lily’s internal and external conflicts. Explain each thoroughly and provide evidence
from the novel to support each conflict.
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2. How does the author interweave an understanding of the life of a bee into the plot of the
novel? What is the significance of this?
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3. To whom is the “secret life” referring? In other words, what are the secrets and to which
characters do they relate?
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Summer Reading Assignment - English 9.6 & HP
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
4. Explain how Lily is a dynamic character and the ways in which she evolves over the course
of the book.
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5. Identify the significance of the Black Madonna in this novel. What does she symbolize?
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6. How does Lily’s quest to find out about her mother turn into a quest to discover her inner
self?
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Summer Reading Assignment - English 9.6 & HP
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Answer the following questions about the novel. Your answers should be at least three to four
complete sentences, and they should answer the questions thoroughly and thoughtfully.
1. Identify the external conflict of this novel. Indicate the principals involved and explain the
conflict thoroughly.
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2. What is the nature of the relationship between Santiago and Manolin? Describe the
relationship and explain how the relationship benefits each individual.
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3. Explain the internal conflict which Santiago experiences.
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Summer Reading Assignment - English 9.6 & HP
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Summer Reading Assignment - English 9.6 & HP
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
4. How does Santiago connect to the fish and the sea? What characteristics does he see in the
fish that he recognizes within himself?
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5. What does the fish symbolize?
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6. Identify a theme of this novel. Explain how this theme is illustrated through characterization
and plot. Select a passage from the novel that you think speaks to the theme. Explain the
meaning of the passage and connect it to the theme.
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