The Secret Life of Bees

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Discussion Questions

~~~Here are some questions that will help you to think about the book and dive into the meaning of the text, not just the words.

Lily explained that T. Ray used to be different.  What do you think changed him?  How do you think he changed? (Kidd, "Life of Bees")

How and why did T. Ray punish Lily?  Do you think that she deserved to be punished like this?  What qualities did Lily have that helped her through and learn from these times? (Kidd, "Life of Bees")

Did Lily resent her mother for leaving her?  Did she resent her father for the way that he treated her?

Despite all that Lily's father did to her, did she still love him?

Why did Lily keep some of her mother's belongings?  What were the belongings that she had?

Tell why it is ironic that even though Lily grew up without a mother, she ends up finding a house full of them ("Reading Group Guides").

Do you think what the three racist white men did to Rosaleen was right?  Why did she spit on their shoes?  Could all of this had been avoided if Rosaleen had not retaliated?  What would you have done?

Who do you think Lily loved more, Rosaleen or T. Ray?  Who do you think she respected more, Rosaleen or T. Ray?
 
Which of the Calendar Sisters did Lily identify with the most?  Which loved Lily the most?
 
What ends up happening between Lily and Zach?  Do you agree with this and think that they did the right thing, or not?
 
Why is Lily confused about her relationship with Zach?  What issues must they face in 1964 to make their relationship work?
 
Why does Lily want to go to Tiburon, South Carolina?  What does she end up finding there? ("Reading Group Guides")
 
Many women in our society are isolated from other women.  Why is it important that women come together?  Whay did you think of the "Calendar Sisters" and the Daughters of Mary?  How did being in the company of this circle of females transform Lily? ("Reading Group Guides")
 
Where do you think Lily felt more comfortable, loved,  and at home, with T. Ray or with the Calendar Sisters? 
 
May built a wailing wall to help her deal with the pain she had bottled up inside.  What are some things that people do today in order to help them with pain, whether emotional, physical, or mental? (Kidd "Life of Bees")
 
After the end of the book:  what do you think happens to Lily, Zach, the Calendar Sisters, Rosaleen, and T. Ray?