Summer Reading 2012
Sacred Heart High School
1
The Bean Trees
by Barbara Kingsolver
Study Guide for English III (4 pages)
Ms. J Denis (ms.jdenis08@yahoo.com)
Background Information
Author
Who is Barbara Kingsolver?
Barbara Kingsolver is a contemporary American novelist. She wrote The Bean Trees in
1988 in Tuscon, Arizona, where she now lives. She is a great-granddaughter of a
Cherokee. Her Cherokee background influences much of her writing. Kingsolver is also
a short story writer, a poet and a nonfiction writer. She received her Bachelors of Art
from DePauw University and her Masters from the University of Arizona. Other books
include Animal Dreams (1990) and Pigs in Heaven (1993).
Background
In order to enhance your understanding of The Bean Trees, the following links and
research topics will help you understand two important connections Kingsolver creates
between the Cherokee nation and the civil war in Guatemala.
Cherokee Historical Background:
Cherokee Nation
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9023851
Jackson Purchase
The Trail of Tears
Guatemala Historical Background:
Map of Guatemala/Central America
Timeline of Guatemala in the 20th Century
Define the word “sanctuary”; “refugee”
Before You Read
Ask yourself
• Are there any people in my life that are not biological family members, but are
thought of or act as family members?
• Do I know anyone or am I living with parents that are not biological parents?
• Do I know anyone who has or have I grown up without a father or mother?
What is that like?
• After looking at the cover and thinking about the title what do I think this book
is going to involve?
Summer Reading 2012
Sacred Heart High School
2
Pre-Reading Activity
Vocabulary
Read the following sentences from the novel. Use context clues to determine a
definition for each underlined word. Create a definition for each passage. Use a
dictionary to confirm the meaning and function (noun, verb, adjective) of the word.
I will collect this activity on the first day of class! (August 20, 2012)
Review: Context clues are familiar words and phrases around the unknown word that
help you to figure out the meaning of that word. Kinds of context clues include
definitions or restatements, examples, descriptions, comparisons, contrasts or inferences
(information that helps you draw a reasonable conclusion).
1. “On the side of the pleated tin building there was a large picture of Jesus with
outstretched hands and yellow streamers of light emanating from his head.”
2. “Mrs. Hoge’s ulterior motive, I believe, was the child, which she looked after a great
deal of the time.”
3. “I did inquire there about work, but the head man in a white coat and puckery white
loafers looked me over and said, ‘Are you a licensed phlebotomist in the state of
Arizona?’ in this tone of voice like who was I to think I could be on the end of the
needle that doesn’t hurt, and that was the end of that.”
4. “I felt a little badly about foisting her off on Lou Ann at all, but she insisted that
Turtle was so little trouble she often forgot she was there.”
5. “’I tell you my most personal darkest secret and you laugh,’ I said, playing vexed.”
6. “Before, it had seemed picayune to get all bent out of shape organizing the household
chores.”
7. “’I guess the ideal thing,’ I conjectured, half dreaming, ‘would have been to get
clothes with good, deep pockets.’”
8. “It certainly wasn’t sour, but it wasn’t sweet either, not like a flower. ‘Pungent’ is the
word Estevan used.”
While You Read
Answer the questions in this guide – I will collect these on Thursday, August 23, or
Friday, August 24, depending on your block.
Questions
Chapter 1:
Should Taylor leave her mother and home without looking back the way she does?
Should she change her name?
What character traits does Taylor Greer demonstrate?
Summer Reading 2012
Sacred Heart High School
3
Chapter 2:
Describe the relationship between Lou Ann and Angel.
Chapter 3:
What if Taylor had not found a mechanic to help her? What might she have done?
Chapter 4:
What is the significance of the title of this chapter?
Chapter 5:
Describe Taylor and Lou Ann’s first encounter.
Chapter 6:
What is Taylor’s philosophy about men?
Chapter 7:
Who is Estevan? What story does he tell at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 8:
What does Dr. Pelinowsky call Turtle’s condition?
Chapter 9:
Who is Ismene? Would you have done what Esperanza did?
Chapter 10:
What does Taylor realize about Edna?
Describe Mattie’s house. What does the description of Mattie’s house say about Mattie?
Chapter11:
What does Lou Ann receive from Angel? Do you think she will go back to him?
Chapter 12:
How does Taylor react to the news about Turtle?
Chapter 13:
How does Cynthia help Taylor?
Chapter 14:
Where does most of the Cherokee nation exist?
Chapter 15:
How does Turtle reenact her mother’s burial?
Chapter 16:
Would you have done what Taylor did? Why or why not?
Summer Reading 2012
Sacred Heart High School
4
Chapter 17:
What does “rhizobia” mean? How does Taylor employ (use) the term as a way to
represent the relationships between various characters in the novel?
What do you think will happen next?
After You Read
Hollywood Movie
Hollywood has decided to make a movie of the book, The Bean Trees. In developing the
trailer, they need to have the following:
1. Two major scenes that would get audience’s interest. Choose and describe two scenes
to write in your journal.
2. Actors to play these characters:
Taylor Greer - actor:
Lou Ann – actor:
Esperanza – actor:
Estevan – actor:
Angel – actor:
3. What song best depicts this movie? Write the song in your journal.
I will collect this activity with your questions.
Sample essay questions or prompts:
Think about the following essay questions or prompts that you might find on a test or
quiz that assesses (checks) your comprehension of The Bean Trees.
1. How does this novel ask you to rethink your definition of “family” and parenthood?
How does this novel suggest alternative role models in place of, or in addition to, the
biological parent? Provide examples. Include at least two characters in your examples:
Taylor Greer, Lou Ann, Mattie or Estevan.
2. How does Ismene’s history relate to the parallel (similar) stories of Taylor and Lou
Ann as mothers? Give examples of how Lou Ann is a mother to Taylor and how Taylor
is a mother to Turtle.
3. Imagine that you are a social worker investigating Turtle’s living environment.
Identify the positive influences in the home. Identify what you would see as negative
influences. What recommendation would you make concerning Turtle’s future? Why?
You may keep a list of details that helps you form an answer to one of the question.