The Secret Life of Bees Chapters 11-14

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Questions and Answers

How much time has passed since Lily ran away from home?

a month

How had Zach changed since his arrest?

he grew more angry with the world

What did June finally do?

accepted Neil's wedding proposal

What story does Lily reveal to Zach about the boys back home?

her neighbor had been fishing and made her a necklace Signup and view all the answers

What same poem did Lily and her mother have to learn for school?

stopping by the woods on a snowy evening by Robert Frost Signup and view all the answers

Who is Tica Tee?

Deborah's imaginary friend Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason that the Daughters spread honey all over the statue?

polish and preserve it Signup and view all the answers

What items (be specific) does August share with Lily?

mother's pocket mirror, wooden hairbrush, a gold whale pin, poetry book, and a photo of Lily and her mother together Signup and view all the answers

What new venture was Zach undertaking in the fall?

all white high school Signup and view all the answers

From whom does August say Lily can get her strength, consolation, and rescue?

Mary, our lady of chains Signup and view all the answers

How does T-Ray find Lily?

tracked the phone call she made from the lawyer's office Signup and view all the answers

What item on Lily caught T-Ray's attention and why?

the whale pin because he gave it to his wife Signup and view all the answers

What utterance snapped T-Ray out of his trance?

when Lily said 'Daddy!' Signup and view all the answers

What finally made T-Ray decide to leave Lily with the women?

August promised to take care of her and her prosperity Signup and view all the answers

Who is Clayton and how is he helping Lily and Rosaleen?

a lawyer and is helping to drop all charges on them by Thanksgiving Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of hyperbole?

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally Signup and view all the answers

What is conflict?

a struggle between opposing forces Signup and view all the answers

What is the climax?

most exciting moment of the story; turning point Signup and view all the answers

What is point of view?

the perspective from which a story is told Signup and view all the answers

What does bolster mean?

support; prop up Signup and view all the answers

What does taunt mean?

to jeer at, mock; an insulting or mocking remark Signup and view all the answers

What is an amnesiac?

a person with a loss of memory Signup and view all the answers

What does contemptible mean?

deserving of scorn; despicable Signup and view all the answers

What does mercantile mean?

general store Signup and view all the answers

What does bona fide mean?

genuine; sincere Signup and view all the answers

What does exertion mean?

physical or mental effort Signup and view all the answers

What does peculiar mean?

odd; strange Signup and view all the answers

What does plaited mean?

braided Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Moments and Characters

Time Passage: A month has elapsed since Lily left her home.
Zach's Transformation: Since his arrest, Zach has become increasingly angry with the world, highlighting the impact of his experiences.
June's Decision: June has accepted Neil's wedding proposal, marking a significant personal development.
Lily's Story: Lily shares with Zach that her neighbor made her a necklace after fishing, illustrating her childhood memories.
Shared Poems: Both Lily and her mother had to memorize "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost for school, indicating a connection through literature.

Relationships and Discoveries

Deborah's Imaginary Friend: Lily reveals Tica Tee, an imaginary friend of her mother, demonstrating her attempts to understand her mother's past.
Honey Ritual: The Daughters smear honey on a statue to polish and preserve it, reflecting their cultural rituals and respect for heritage.
Items from August: August shares meaningful items with Lily, including her mother's pocket mirror, a wooden hairbrush, a gold whale pin, a poetry book, and a photo of them together, fostering a bond.

New Beginnings and Struggles

Zach's Ambition: In the fall, Zach plans to attend an all-white high school, showcasing his aspirations amidst societal obstacles.
Source of Strength: August encourages Lily to seek strength and consolation from Mary, our lady of chains, emphasizing the significance of faith and support.
T-Ray's Discovery: T-Ray locates Lily by tracking a phone call she made from the lawyer's office, portraying his relentless pursuit.

Key Items and Symbolism

Whale Pin: T-Ray's attention is drawn to the whale pin worn by Lily because it was a gift he gave to his wife, symbolizing past connections and emotional layers.
T-Ray's Reaction: Lily’s exclamation of "Daddy!" snaps T-Ray out of his trance, highlighting the complex dynamics of their relationship.
August's Assurance: T-Ray chooses to leave Lily with the women after August promises to care for her and ensure her prosperity, showcasing the themes of protection and community.

Clayton's Role: Clayton, the lawyer, is working to drop all charges against Lily and Rosaleen, emphasizing the support they receive in their pursuit of justice and freedom.

Literary Concepts

Hyperbole: Refers to exaggerated statements that shouldn’t be taken literally, often used for emphasis.
Conflict: Represents the struggle between opposing forces, driving the narrative forward.
Climax: The most intense point of the story, which serves as a turning point for the main characters.
Point of View: The perspective through which the story unfolds, influencing the reader's understanding.

Vocabulary

Bolster: To support or prop up, often used in contexts of encouragement.
Taunt: To mock or jeer, reflecting interpersonal dynamics.
Amnesiac: A person suffering from memory loss, indicating themes of identity and recollection.
Comtemptible: Deserves scorn; highlights moral judgment in characters.
Mercantile: Refers to a general store, depicting settings in the narrative.
Bona fide: Signifies genuine or sincere qualities in people or actions.
Exertion: Represents the physical or mental effort characters endure.
Peculiar: Describes something odd or strange, often referring to unusual behaviors or events.
Plaited: Indicates something that has been braided, historically relevant to hair and cultural practices.

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Test your knowledge of Chapters 11-14 of 'The Secret Life of Bees' with these flashcards. Explore key events, character developments, and significant moments that shape the story as Lily and her friends navigate their lives. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of the chapter nuances.