Kucaj
English 10 H
Honors Summer Reading Group Work
The Secret Life of Bees Questions for Deeper Understanding
Chapter 1:
1.
Reread the first paragraph of the novel. Lily says, “The way those bees flew, not even looking for a flower,
just flying for the feel of the wind, split my heart down its seam.” What can readers gather about Lily and
her life from this one sentence? What can readers infer about this story to follow?
2.
Describe the scene in which Rosaleen watches President Johnson announce the signing of the Civil Rights
Act (1964). How does Lily react to Rosaleen and what is the deeper meaning of her response? What is she
implying?
3.
On page 12, Lily says of Rosaleen, “I used to have daydreams in which she was white and married T. Ray,
and became my real mother. Other times I was a Negro orphan she found in a cornfield and adopted. Once
in while I had us living in a foreign country like New York, where she could adopt me and we could both
stay our natural color.” What does this quotation show readers about Lily and the setting (1960s in South
Carolina)?
4.
Explain the connection(s) between the quotation at the beginning of the chapter and the events that take
place within the chapter: The Queen, for her part, is the unifying force of the community; if she is removed
from the hive, the workers very quickly sense her absence. After a few hours, or even less, they show
unmistakable signs of queenlessness. – Man & Insects
Chapter 2:
1.
Lily’s behavior (according to her) goes downhill quickly in this chapter. What is responsible for Lily’s turn
in behavior? How is she changing as a character?
2.
At the end of this chapter, Rosaleen and Lily get in a fight. What are they fighting over and who do you
sympathize with? Why?
Chapter 3:
1.
Through-out this chapter Lily continues to lie and then steals. How does she justify these actions and what
does that tell the reader about her character?
Chapter 4:
1.
2.
On page 69, Lily says, “Some people have a sixth sense… I believe I must have it, because the moment I
stepped into the house I felt a trembling along my skin, a traveling current that moved up my spine, down
my arms, pulsing out from my fingertips. I was practically radiating.” What is Lily picking up on in the
Boatwright house? Consider what is there that she probably has never experienced before.
Explain how Lily reacts to the manners of Rosaleen and then of August. What does this tell the reader
about her character?
Chapter 5:
1.
2.
3.
Describe the unique personalities of the three Boatwright sisters: August, June and May.
What is the message and purpose of the Beatrix story?
Explain the connection(s) between the quotation at the beginning of the chapter and the events that take
place within the chapter: Let’s imagine for a moment that we are tiny enough to follow a bee into a hive.
Usually the first thing we would have to get used to is the darkness… - Exploring the World of Social
Insects
Chapter 6:
1.
2.
3.
Describe June and Lily’s relationship. Given what the reader finds out through-out the novel, why is their
relationship so strained?
How did August react to humans walking on the moon? What does this show the reader about her character
and how does it reinforce concepts within the novel?
Explain the connection(s) between the quotation at the beginning of the chapter and the events that take
place within the chapter: The queen must produce some substance that attracts the workers and that can be
obtained from her only by direct contact. This substance evidently stimulates the normal working behavior
in the hive. This chemical messenger has been called “queen substance.” Experiments have shown that the
bees obtain it directly from the body of the queen. – Man and Insects
Chapter 7:
1.
Explain the connection(s) between the quotation at the beginning of the chapter and the events that take
place within the chapter: How did bees ever become equated with sex? They do not live riotous sex lives
themselves. A hive suggests cloister more than bordello. – The Queen Must Die: And Other Affairs of Bees
and Men
Chapter 8:
1.
2.
3.
Describe the experience Lily has while helping August with the beehives. Why do you think this happens
to her?
Why is it so important that August asks Lily what she loves? What is Lily’s response?
Why does Lily write a letter to T-Ray? What does she do with it? Why?
Chapter 9:
1.
Explain the connection(s) between the quotation at the beginning of the chapter and the events that take
place within the chapter: The whole fabric of honeybee society depends on communication – on an innate
ability to send and receive messages, to encode and decode information. – The Honey Bee
2.
Describe what happens to Zach Taylor and his friends. How does Lily react?
3.
If you had been in the Boatwright sisters’ shoes would you have let May go to the wall alone? Why or why
not?
Chapter 10:
1.
What is the catalyst for May’s death? Given the note she leaves, what was her reason for taking her own
life?
2.
Consider how May chooses to kill herself. Why might Sue Monk Kidd choose this type of death for her?
How is it appropriate given what we know of May?
Chapter 11:
1.
Over the course of this chapter Zach’s attitude begins to change. In what way does it change and do you
think he is justified in feeling that way?
Chapter 12:
1.
Explain the connection(s) between the quotation at the beginning of the chapter and the events that take
place within the chapter: If the queen were smarter, she would probably be hopelessly neurotic. As is, she is
shy and skittish, possibly because she never leaves the hive, but spends her days confined in darkness, a
kind of eternal night, perpetually in labor… Her true role is less that of a queen than mother of a hive, a
title often accorded to her. And yet, this is something of a mockery because of her lack of maternal instincts
or the ability to care for her young. – The Queen Must Die: And Other Affairs of Bees and Men
(cont’d)
2.
This chapter gives readers (and Lily) more information about Deborah Owens. A question that seems to go
unanswered is why it took Deborah three months to go back to get Lily. Give an educated answer to this
question.
Chapter 13:
1.
Explain the connection(s) between the quotation at the beginning of the chapter and the events that take
place within the chapter: A worker [bee] is just over a centimeter long and weighs only about sixty
milligrams; nevertheless, she can fly with a load heavier than herself. – The Honey Bee
2.
Describe the items August gives to Lily that belonged to Deborah. How does she react to these objects?
Which item seems to mean the most to her? Why?
Chapter 14:
1.
Explain the connection(s) between the quotation at the beginning of the chapter and the events that take
place within the chapter: A queenless colony is a pitiful and melancholy community; there may be a
mournful wail or lament from within… Without intervention, the colony will die. But introduce a new
queen and the most extravagant change takes place. – The Queen Must Die: And Other Affairs of Bees and
Men
2.
On page 86, Lily says, “Then I looked around and noticed the world.” Look back on Lily’s personality at
the beginning of the novel and how she has changed. How does this simple statement signify so much more
given Lily’s journey?
The Namesake Questions for Deeper Understanding
Chapter 1 – Ashima and Ashoke move to Cambridge, MA
1.
Reread the first sentence of the novel. How does it set the tone for the rest of the story? What do we learn about
the characters and the author’s style of writing?
2.
Consider Ashima’s experience going to the hospital to have her first child. What is it like for her? What is
Ashoke’s role in the birth?
3.
Ashoke has a flashback to when he was in a train accident. Describe what happened and why he is thinking of
that moment as he waits for the birth of his son.
Chapter 2 – Gogol is born
1.
American expectations are pressed upon the Gangulis when they must choose a name for their son before they
are ready or else they cannot leave the hospital with him. Consider your opinion on whether immigrants should
adopt American policies and norms or if the new country, in this case America, should be more understanding
of immigrant cultures?
2.
On page 28, Lahiri says that Ashima and Ashoke would never think “to disregard an elder’s wishes.” Is this
concept specifically to their culture or do Americans feel the same way?
3.
What affect have American films such as Gone with the Wind and The Seven-Year Itch had on Ashima? Do
films affect Americans in the same way? Explain with support.
4.
Compare the Ganguli’s apartment to the Mongtomery’s. What do we learn about each family through the
descriptions of their homes?
5.
When Gogol is six months old, his parents have a party in his honor. A plate is put before him that holds soil, a
ballpoint pen, and money. Which item does Gogol grab? How does this set the tone for Gogol’s journey?
Chapter 3 - The Gangulis move to the suburbs of Boston.
1.
How does the move to the suburbs affect Ashima? Explain with details.
2.
On pg. 53, the Gangulis go to the beach. Consider how Lahiri’s description of the ocean could have a deeper
meaning. How might it connect to the struggle for identity that the Gangulis go through throughout the novel?
“The waves retract, gathering force, the soft, dark sand seeming to shift away instantly beneath their feet,
causing them to lose their balance. ‘I’m falling. It’s pulling me in,’ [Ashima] always says.”
3.
On pg. 56, Gogol has a new name. Discuss how it comes about, why, and why it doesn’t stick.
4.
When Sonia is offered the plate of three items she picks up the dollar bill. One of the guests says, “This
one…this one is the true American.” Consider what this statement implies and how immigrants and foreigners
may view American society.
5.
As Gogol grows up the Gangulis struggle to keep their Bengali culture alive but also allow certain American
customs into their home. Readers see this particularly in regards to Christmas. Do you think the Gangulis are
making the right decisions for their children? Why or why not?
Ch. 4 – Gogol is 14 years old.
1.
Gogol has started to hate his name. Explain his reasons.
2.
Do you sympathize with 14-year-old Gogol? Why or why not?
3.
Consider why Ashoke does not tell his son about the train accident. How would that have changed their lives if
he had?
4.
How do the Gangulis’ lives change when they move back to Calcutta? How do Ashima and Ashoke change?
How does this move affect Gogol and Sonia?
Ch. 5 – Gogol’s high school and college years
1.
Gogol changes his name to Nikhil, but everyone still calls him Gogol. How does this make his life easier? How
does it make it worse? Is it ever possible to escape parts of yourself completely?
2.
In Chapter 5, Gogol realizes that the only person that ever made fun of his name was him! Do humans make
themselves victims unnecessarily? Can we choose or own state of happiness?
3.
Readers get a glimpse of the expectations the Gangulis, and other Bengali parents, have on their children. Find
several expectations that they have for Gogol and the affect these expectations have on him. Are these
expectations realistic? Why or why not?
4.
Why would the author choose to have Gogol major in Architecture? Consider what architects do for a living.
How does that parallel the ideas within the novel?
5.
While attending a panel discussion Gogol hears the term ABCD (American-born confused deshi) for the first
time. What does this term mean? How does Gogol react to this concept of ABCDs?
6.
Ashoke finally explains the meaning behind Gogol’s name. Why does he do this and how does Gogol react?
Ch. 6 1994 – Gogol lives in New York
1.
How does Gogol view Maxine’s family and their world? What is appealing about it?
2.
Gogol later says that “his immersion” into Maxine’s family feels like a “betrayal” of his own. What does he
means by this?
3.
How does Maxine react to Gogol’s parents and their home?
4.
Gogol describes his experience “at Maxine’s side” as freeing. What has she freed him from? Is his relationship
with Maxine healthy for Gogol?
Ch. 7 – Ashima at home; Ashoke dies in Cleveland
1.
How have the decisions made my Gogol and Sonia affected their mother?
2.
How does Gogol react to the death of his father specifically when he is in his father’s apartment?
3.
On pg. 182 Gogol speaks with Maxine on the phone. How does Maxine react to Ashoke’s death? What small
breakthrough does Gogol have at the end of the conversation?
4.
What is the significance of the flashback Gogol has of being on the beach with his father?
Ch. 8 – Gogol’s relationship with Maxine ends
1.
Why does Gogol’s relationship with Maxine end? How do readers respond to this break up?
2.
Gogol’s conversation with Moushumi is the longest dialogue in the novel. What do we learn about each
character’s personality through this inter-change. Why would Lahiri spend so much time on their dialogue?
3.
What attracts Gogol to Moushumi?
4.
Compare and contrast Gogol’s and Moushumi’s response to being born in America but being raised by Bengali
parents. How have their experiences been similar? Different?
Ch. 9 - Moushumi and Gogol get married within a year.
1.
Describe Moushumi and Gogol’s wedding. Is this the wedding they wanted? What does this say about them and
Bengali culture?
2.
On pg. 226 Gogol says of Moushumi, “this is the way he still finds her most ravishing, unadorned, aware that it
is a way she is willing to look for no one but him.” How does this description reinforce one of the author’s
themes?
3.
Moushumi and Gogol go to Paris. How does Moushumi react to being back in a city she lived in? How does this
make Gogol feel?
4.
What about Astrid and Donald’s life does Moushumi seem to admire? What connections can you draw between
Astrid and Donald and Maxine’s parents?
5.
While at a dinner party, Gogol says, “There’s no such thing as a perfect name.” Why not?
Ch. 10 - Moushumi and Gogol have been married a year
1.
Why does Moushumi seem to be unsatisfied with her marriage to Gogol? Are her feelings justified?
2.
Is Moushumi a naturally unsatisfied person? Does it seem like she will ever feel content?
3.
Dimitri gives Moushumi the nickname Mouse. How does she feel about this nickname? What concepts from the
novel does her reaction reinforce?
4.
Why does Moushumi have an affair? What does she get out of it that she feels her life is otherwise missing?
Ch. 11
1.
In this chapter, the readers are given a glimpse into Gogol’s perspective of his marriage to Moushumi. What do
readers learn from this chapter?
Ch. 12 - Point of focus switches to Ashima, Christmas Eve Day.
1.
How do Ashima’s future plans reflect a new beginning and yet consistency with the way her life has always
been?
2.
Consider the following quotation and what Gogol has realized about himself and his life: “And yet these events
have formed Gogol, shaped him, determined who he is. They were things for which it was impossible to prepare
but which one spent a lifetime looking back at, trying to accept, interpret, comprehend. Things that should never
have happened, that seemed out of place and wrong, these were what prevailed, what endured, in the end” pg
287.
3.
What questions do readers still have after The Namesake ends?