The Secret Life of Bees: Journal Packet
The purpose of writing this reader's journal is to encourage you to become an active and
thoughtful reader. The questions are intended as guidelines. I will collect and read your
journals and respond to any questions you have. You will receive two grades for the
journal (J1-4) and (J5-8), which will count as the equivalent of two essay grades.
Minimum length to receive an A grade for a journal assignment: 200 words.
If you answer the questions as briefly as possible, with little evidence of original or
personal thought, you will receive a grade of C.
If you answer the questions rather completely, showing signs of having thought about
them and having come to your own conclusions, you will receive a B.
In order to receive an A, you must go beyond just answering the questions. You must
write about what is happening in your mind as you read this book. You should ask
questions of your own, express your wonderings, and connect what you read to your own
thoughts about life, love, politics, power, religion, and so forth.
A grade of D will be given to journals that merely copy sentences or phrases from the
book in answer to the questions. You are encouraged to use quotes, but you must also
analyze the quote in a personal and thoughtful manner, explaining what it means to you,
and how it is relevant.
You may also add to your journal the following: a list of new vocabulary--words that you
look up or make guesses about--and questions about grammar, or background
information. You can also include questions or ideas that you would like to discuss in
class.
***Hint: To aide in your active reading process, be sure to look over the questions before
reading each section of the novel, and mark relevant passages in the text as you go.
Journal 1: Before You Read
• Have you ever read a novel in English before? Do you enjoy reading in your own
language?
• What does the front and back covers of the book say to you about the story? What
expectations do you have of the story based on them?
• One major theme is this novel is a young women's need for a mother. What thoughts
do you have about this idea? What about young men: is their need different?
Journal 2 Chapter 1 (1-33)
• Describe in your own words what happened on Dec 3, 1954. How old was Lily when
this happened and what effect do you think this event has had on Lily's life?
• Who is T Ray? What are his characteristics as a man, a father, a worker?
• Who is Rosaleen? Describe her appearance and what you think her personality is like.
Why do you think that?
• How does the quote at the top of page 1 connect to the story? What do you think bees
represent in this story?
Journal 3 Chapters 2 & 3 (34-66)
• Describe examples of racism that you've found so far in the story.
• Do you believe T. Ray's explanation of Lily's mother and her death? What other
possibilities can you imagine?
• What meaning do you find in the scene on p. 55 when Rosaleen and Lily bathe in the
river together? Do any religious or literary images come to mind?
• What does Lily's thought, “there is nothing but mystery in the world… we don't even
know it” (63) tell you about her character?
Journal 4: Chapters 4 & 5 (67-101)
• In your own words, describe the Boatwright sisters.
• Look at the quote at the top of the first page of Chapter 5. What does this predict for
the chapter?
• Who is the Black Madonna? What importance do you think she will have in the story?
• Comment on Lily's discovery of her own prejudice (78) and June's prejudice toward
Lily (87)
• Who is April and what happened to her? Why is May the way she is?
Journal 5: Chapters 6, 7 & 8 (102-164)
• In your own words explain who the “Daughters of Mary” are. What is the meaning of
their unusual religious practices? Who is their “god”?
• August says, “Everyone needs a God who looks like them.” (141) How does this
explain the Black Madonna? How does it apply to Lily? Does it have any meaning for
you?
• August says, “Bees have a secret life that we don't know anything about.” (148) Why
was this the line used for the title of the book?
• In your own words describe what happens to Lily on page 150.
Journal 6: Chapters 9, 10, 11 (165-231)
• Describe Zach and what leads to him being arrested.
• Lily says that everybody wants “someone to see the hurt done to them and set it down
like it matters.” (185) How does that apply to her own life? To Zach's? Does it apply to
you?
• How do you interpret Lily's dream of her mother as a cockroach? (174-175)
• Why did May choose to die? What does her death say about the effects of racism?
Journal 7: Chapters 12, 13, 14 (232-302)
• What do you discover about Lily's mother in this section?
• August says, “I don't think your father was always the way he is now.” (248) How
does August's story of Deborah's life change your attitude towards T. Ray
• On pages 274-275, Lily reads a William Blake poem that had been underlined by her
mom. In your own words, how does Lily interpret the poem? Do you agree with her
interpretation? Explain.
• Are you satisfied with the events in Chapter 14? Has Lily found the love she needs?
Where does she find it?
Journal 8: After You Read
• Who is the queen bee of this story?
• How did reading this story change or deepen you understanding of American life? Of
people? Of yourself?
• How did reading this novel help you with your English skill? What did you like/not
like about the experience?