Secret Life of Bees Chapter 12 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What shocks Lily when she looks into the book called Mary Through The Ages?

In every picture where the angel Gabriel comes to tell her she is going to have 'the baby of babies,' he has a big white lily for her.

What reason does August give Lily for not telling her sooner about her mother?

'Because you weren't ready to know about her. I didn't want to risk you running away again.... There's a fullness of time for things, Lily. You have to know when to prod and when to be quiet, when to let things take their course. That's what I've been trying to do.'

Why did June treat Lily so badly when she first came to the Boatwrights' house?

June didn't like Lily's mother because August had gone to work at Lily's mother's house.

Identify Tica Tee.

Tica Tee was Lily's mother's imaginary friend. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Deborah Fontanel come to Sylvan?

She felt lonely since her mother died. A friend of hers had recently moved to Sylva. Mainly she wanted to be close to August yet didn't want to admit it. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Deborah marry T.Ray?

She was pregnant with Lily. Signup and view all the answers

What does August tell Lily about her mother that makes Lily say, 'I hate her'?

That Deborah had come to Tibrourn and left Lily with T.Ray. Signup and view all the answers

What has August had to live without knowing all these years?

Never really know how Deborah died. Signup and view all the answers

What are August's parting words to Lily after their big conversation?

'There is nothing perfect. There is only life.' Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Insights from Chapter 12 of "Secret Life of Bees"

Lily discovers that in "Mary Through The Ages," every depiction of the angel Gabriel presenting Mary with the announcement bears a significant white lily, symbolizing purity and connection to her own name.
August explains to Lily her reason for withholding information about her mother, emphasizing the importance of timing in personal revelations to avoid overwhelming her.
June's initial coldness towards Lily stems from her past resentment towards Lily's mother for having employed August, affecting her perception of Lily.
Tica Tee, an imaginary friend, represents Lily's childhood coping mechanism and reflects her desire for companionship during her upbringing.
Deborah Fontanel moved to Sylvan driven by loneliness after her mother's passing and an underlying wish to reconnect with August, indicative of her struggle with relationship issues.
The marriage to T.Ray was primarily a result of obligation due to her pregnancy, shedding light on Deborah's challenging life choices.
Lily's emotional response of hatred towards her mother upon learning that Deborah abandoned her highlights her inner conflict and longing for maternal love.
August reveals to Lily her own struggle with the unknown surrounding Deborah's death, demonstrating the impact of unresolved grief on family dynamics.
August's parting advice to Lily underscores a profound lesson about accepting life's imperfections, encouraging her to embrace reality and personal growth.

Description

Test your understanding of Chapter 12 from 'The Secret Life of Bees' through these flashcards. Explore key moments and insights, such as Lily's realization about the significance of the lily and August's reasons for withholding information about Lily's mother. Perfect for reinforcing your comprehension of the chapter.