The Secret Life of Bees Chapter 13

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Where does Lily go since she cannot sleep?

to see the Mary statue

What does Lily do to release her anger after finding out her mother left her?

she throws jars of honey and other things

How does Lily feel after throwing the honey?

empty of all her feelings towards her mother

Who finds Lily the next morning?

Rosaleen Signup and view all the answers

Why did Rosaleen suspect Lily's mom left her?

she overheard T. Ray thanking Mrs. Watson for looking after Lily Signup and view all the answers

There is a _____ in Lily's voice when she talks about her mom.

bitterness Signup and view all the answers

Why did Rosaleen not tell Lily what she suspected about her mother?

she didn't want to hurt her Signup and view all the answers

What does Lily want August to tell Zach?

her whole story with her running away and her mother Signup and view all the answers

What does Lily think of as June plays the cello?

her mother on the trailway bus riding out of Sylvan Signup and view all the answers

What do the Daughters of Mary do after the Mary statue is brought out?

August reads from the Bible and they unchain Mary. They then put their hands in the air with a message of how they will rise. Signup and view all the answers

What does August do to the Mary statue?

pours honey on it Signup and view all the answers

What do the Daughters of Mary do after August has poured the honey?

they rub it all over the statue Signup and view all the answers

Why do they pour and rub honey on the statue?

it is like the holy water the churches used to bathe Mary in to honor her and they are preserving her for another year, since honey is a preservative Signup and view all the answers

What goes onto the Mary statue while they are rubbing honey?

bees and ants Signup and view all the answers

How does Lily feel when they are rubbing honey on the Mary statue?

content Signup and view all the answers

What happens with everyone's hands?

they all fall into the same pattern Signup and view all the answers

What does Lily think of when she is laying on her cot?

what miracle she wishes could happen to her; it is getting raised from the dead Signup and view all the answers

What does August come into Lily's cot with?

a box with her mom's belongings Signup and view all the answers

What is in the box that has Lily's mother's stuff?

pocket mirror, hair brush, gold pin shaped like a whale, English book of poetry, photo of the two of them Signup and view all the answers

August tells Lily she will see what if she looks in the mirror?

she would see her mother face looking back at her (they look similar) Signup and view all the answers

What did Lily find in her mother's hairbrush and what does this make her realize?

a strand of her hair that makes her realize that the thought of her mother would never disappear from the tender place inside of her Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlined lines in Lily's mother's poetry book about?

the destructive nature of love, the rose is her because of her struggles and pain, the worms are like her burdens, Lily feels like one of the worms because she feels like she corrupted her life Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the poem?

William Blake Signup and view all the answers

What does the picture of Lily and her mother make her realize?

that her mother loved her and this is the sign she wanted from May Signup and view all the answers

What does the epigraph mean?

Lily has to live with the load of everything she has learned about her mother Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lily's Journey of Self-Discovery

Lily seeks comfort by visiting the Mary statue when she struggles to sleep.
In a moment of anger over her mother's absence, Lily violently throws jars of honey, symbolizing her emotional turmoil.
After her outburst, Lily feels an emptiness, indicating the depth of her unresolved feelings toward her mother.

Key Relationships

Rosaleen finds Lily the following morning, representing her support in Lily's life.
Rosaleen suspects Lily's mother left due to overhearing T. Ray's conversation with Mrs. Watson.
This revelation contributes to the bitterness in Lily’s voice when discussing her mother, highlighting her profound hurt.

Emotional Conflicts

Rosaleen withholds her suspicions from Lily, motivated by a desire to protect her feelings.
Lily desires to confide in August, wanting to share her entire story about her mother and her runaway experience.

Symbolism and Rituals

While June plays the cello, Lily reflects on her mother, connecting music to memories.
During a ceremony, August reads from the Bible and the daughters of Mary unchain the statue of Mary, raising their hands in unity—a powerful display of hope and resistance.

Honey as a Sacred Element

August pours honey on the Mary statue, paralleling sacred practices like using holy water, honoring Mary and emphasizing preservation.
The daughters of Mary rub honey on the statue, further symbolizing love and care, while bees and ants gather, signifying life and community.

Personal Growth

Lily experiences contentment during the ritual, indicating her connection to the community and her own healing process.
As she lies on her cot, Lily contemplates miracles, wishing for profound changes in her life.

Revelations from August

August enters Lily's space with a box of her mother’s belongings, deepening the emotional connection to her mother.
The box includes personal items such as a pocket mirror and a photo, evoking memories and reinforcing Lily's longing for connection.

Reflection and Legacy

Looking into the mirror, August suggests Lily will see her mother's face, emphasizing their physical and emotional similarities.
Finding a strand of her mother's hair in a hairbrush signifies the enduring presence of her mother's love in Lily's life.

Understanding Love's Complexity

A poem by William Blake, found in Lily's mother’s poetry book, explores love's destructive nature, reflecting Lily's feelings of guilt and burden.
The imagery of roses and worms encapsulates Lily’s struggles, revealing her perception of herself as flawed and corrupted.

Emotional Closure

A photo of Lily with her mother leads to the realization that her mother loved her, symbolizing the sign Lily sought from May.
The epigraph illustrates Lily’s internal struggle with her mother’s legacy and the emotional burdens she carries.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 13 from 'The Secret Life of Bees' with these flashcards. Explore Lily's emotional journey as she grapples with her feelings towards her mother and finds solace in the statue of Mary. Perfect for fans of the book looking to reinforce their understanding of key moments.