Thanks for participating in Secord Selects and I hope that you have enjoyed reading our book selection for this month.
When you post your answers to the discussion questions, please let us know who you are! As we are meeting in cyberspace, it is most likely that we don't know everyone in the book club. It would be great as well, if you could tell us what grade you are in (if you are not a member of the staff at Secord).
The discussion questions can be found at the bottom of this blog page, so scroll down to find them.
Please note that all books on loan to you for this read are to be returned to me @the library no later than NOVEMBER 13th/08. These books are the property of the St. Catharines Public Library and must be returned to them on time. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Thanks!
Ms. Secord
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
This book explores issues related to racial prejudice and discrimination. While Lily’s connection with the blacks is accepted by the people of Tiburon, it would certainly have invited hostility and disagreement elsewhere, especially where she had come from. Although the town’s apparent readiness to overlook the issue of racism seems relatively unrealistic, the portrayal of the underlying tension and inequalities that existed in the 1960s is very accurate. Racism is vividly described throughout the story. For example, the white men from the town would always add the word “nigger” when referring to Rosaleen. The blacks are also not allowed into the church with the whites.
***This book is a brand new movie starring Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah,Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson
Discussion Questions:
- Were you surprised to learn that T. Ray used to be different, that once he truly loved Deborah? How do you think Deborah's leaving affected him? Did it shed any light on why T. Ray was so cruel and abusive to Lily?
- Had you ever heard of "kneeling on grits"? What qualities did Lily have that allowed her to survive, endure and eventually thrive, despite T. Ray?
- Who is the queen bee in this story?
- Lily's relationship to her dead mother was complex, ranging from guilt to idealization, to hatred, to acceptance. What happens to a daughter when she discovers her mother once abandoned her? Is Lily right-would people generally rather die than forgive? Was it harder for Lily to forgive her mother or herself?
- Lily grew up without a mother, but in the end she finds a house full of them. Have you ever had a mother figure in your life who wasn't your true mother? Have you ever had to leave home to find home?
- What compelled Rosaleen to spit on the three men's shoes? What does it take for a person to stand up with conviction against injustice? What did you like best about Rosaleen?
- May buit a wailing wall to help her come to terms with the pain she felt. Even though we don't have May's condition, do we also need "rituals" like wailing walls, to help us deal with our grief?
- How would you describe Lily and Zack's relationship? What drew them together? Did you root for them for them to be together?
- Project into the future. Does Lily ever see her father gain? Does she become a beekeeper? A writer? What happens to Rosaleen? What happens to Lily and Zack? Who would Zack be today?
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