Ch. 5
What is the significance of "Oh Susana" in the story? (85)
Soothes May when she gets upset, and wards off cryinig.
Who is Neil? 103
New principal and June's sweetheart. Wants to marry June.
Why does the honey turn purple? (126)
When the flowers dry up, the bees suck on elderberries. The berries make the hone purple.
What does Lily love? (at least 4 things) 139
Her mother's things, Rosaleen, writing stories and poems, Coke with salted peanuts, looking at where the bottle is from, the color blue, bees and honey, August
Historical events mentioned in this chapter? (166)
Ranger 7 launched, civil rights worker murdered, Vietnam
What does the policeman advise Lily to do? Why?
(197)
Advises Lily not to be at the Boatwright's the next time he comes. She is "lowering herself" by being there.
What story does August tell Lily, and why does Lily think she's telling it? (91,92)
Beatrix the nun who leaves the convent. Mary stands in for her. Lily thinks August is telling her because she knows she has run away.
What happened to June that made her never want to get married? (103)
Was supposed to get married, but the man didn't show up for the wedding. Swore off men and marriage.
What is Lily's reaction to meeting Zachary Taylor?
Attracted to him (one-sided dimple) Knew they would be friends
What did August’s mother let them do for their special month? How did August spend her time? (136)
no chores, could eat favorite foods, stay up an hour later doing whatever they wanted. August wanted to read.
What incident finally changes the icy relationship between June and Lily? 169
The water fight, June and Lily wrestled over the hose, then fell down laughing. June hugged Lily
After finding May's note, what does August tell June to do, and why? (210/211)
August tells June to marry Neil because May wanted June to live fully.
What is reverse discrimination and how does Lily experience it? (87)
discrimination against white people. June not wanting her in the house.
What happens to Lily when she reaches out to touch the statue? And what does she discover? (112)
June stops playing the music and Lily faints. Lily discovers that she can close her eyes and exit life without dying.
Where is Rosaleen moving, and why? (129)
May's room to keep May company. Getting a mattress. May gets scared at night.
Who does Lily call from the lawyer's office? What does she ask, and why? (159)
T-Ray, asked him if he knew her favorite color, wanted to know if he loved her or missed her at all.
What happened when Zach and Lily went into town?
(178/9)
Racial tensions were high in town. Zach's friend threw a cola bottle at a white man. The boys would not rat out their friend, so all were arrested and jailed.
What does Lily tell May's body? (201/202)
Lily tells May that she hopes she is happy in heaven, tell Mary they are keeping her memory going, and look up Lily's mom. Tell her: Lily is away from T-Ray, Lily loves her. and please send a sign.
What is bee-yard etiquette? How does it apply to humans? (92) Added
The world is like one big bee yard, same rules apply: Don't be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don't be an idiot. Don't swat. Don't even think about swatting. If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates while whistling melts a bee's temper. Act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't. Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved.”
Who comes to the pink house on Sundays, and why do they touch the red heart on Mary's chest? (106)
The Daughters of Mary
The statue brings them strength and solace
Explain Zach's confession to Lily at the end of Chapter 7.
Really likes her, but they can't be together. A black boy could be killed for even looking at a girl like Lily.
What is the lesson August teaches Lily when Lily asks about the color of the house? (147)
Some things don't matter, like the color of a house. Lifting a person's spirit, that matters.
It was hard to paint that color, but it made May happy
People know what matters, but they don't choose it
Why do the sisters decide not to tell May about Zach? What happens when Zach’s mother calls? How does May react? (182/186)
Don't want to upset May. May answers the phone, and Zach's mother tells her Zach is in jail. May goes numb, seems calm, but absent. She goes to the wall.
How does May die? What is ironic about this? (193)
Drowned herself in the river weighed down with a rock. Ironic because May was tired of "carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders" but she used a weight to kill herself"
What happened to May? What did August come up with to help May cope, and how does it work? (explain in detail) (96,97)
Twin sister April died. They shared feelings, so now May feels the pain of others as if it is her own. Wailing wall after the one in Jerusalem. She writes prayers and suffering on paper to put in the wall.
What is the story of Our Lady of Chains, and what is the significance of her name?
Summarize the story (108-110) Back in the times of slavery the slaves prayed for rescue. Obediah found her washed ashore, recognized as Mary sent to help them. The slaves prayed to her and the master chained her up 50 times, but she always returned to the praise house. She is named "Our Lady of Chains" because she broke the chains and returned to her people.
Who has a big fight near the end of the chapter? What are they arguing about? How does the scene end? (132)
June and Neil about getting married (explain)
June tells Neil not to come back and throws tomatoes at his car.
How are bees a metaphor for life in this novel?
Answers will vary:
Secret life like Lily, treat others with bee-yard etiquette, you never know what is going on in others' lives, the queen is the mother of all like Mary, women do all the work (haha)...
How does Lily finally know that her mother has been to the Boatwrights? Use a detailed explanation. (173)
Lily sees May making a trail of marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs to lure the roaches outside. Lily remembers T-Ray telling her that her mom did that. Finally, Lily asks May and May confirms that Deborah lived in the honey house.
Why do beekeepers drape the hives? Why is it considered important to have bees around? (205/206)
The drapes are supposed to keep the bees from leaving. Having bees around was supposed to ensure that the dead person would live again. "When a bee flies, a soul will rise"