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Mastery English 8
Date _______________
The Secret Life of Bees
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1b Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using
accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Discussion Guide for Chapter Six
Part One – Responding to Literature / Quotation Analysis
Directions: Answer the following questions using complete sentences and textual evidence.
1.
What information is revealed about June Boatwright as to why she is afraid to love?
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2. In Chapter 6, Neil is introduced. List three facts explaining/describing his character.
1.
2.
3.
3. “I walked toward black Mary with my hand lifted. But just as I was about to reach her, June
stopped playing” (Monk Kidd 111). Why did June stop playing the cello?
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“It struck me for the first time how odd it was that none of them were married. Three
unmarried sisters living together like this” (Monk Kidd 103).
4. Based on the aforementioned quote and your knowledge of the novel thus far - in your opinion,
what can you infer about the Boatwright sisters?
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5. At the end of the chapter, August tells Lily that the moon will never be the same once man has
set foot on it. How does this idea connect with Lily wanting to know more about her mother?
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Part Two – Understanding Concepts
Directions: Write a brief summary of the concepts that are listed on the left side of the chart. Next, find a
quote from Chapter Six that best illustrates each concept or idea. Please correctly cite the excerpt from the
text. Ex: “I asked her to draw a curtain around the pink house so no one would find us” (Monk Kidd 92).
Concept
Summary
Who are they?
What is their purpose?
6.
Daughters of Mary
What does Our Lady of Chains
represent/ What does she provide for
the slaves?
7.
Our Lady of Chains
Textual Evidence to Support Your
Understanding of the Concept
Interpret the following quote:
8. “The people called her Our Lady of Chains. They called her that not because she wore chains…
They called her Our Lady of Chains because she broke them” (Monk Kidd 110).
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Part Three - Final Thoughts: Epigraphs
Directions: Explain how this epigraph connects to the events that unfold in Chapter Six.
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
9. The epigraph of this chapter discusses the “queen substance,” which is produced by the body of the
queen bee. The substance must be obtained by direct contact with the queen and it stimulates the
worker bees. Hint: Keep in mind Our Lady of Chains and her fading red heart.
How does this epigraph connect to Chapter Six?
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