Sue Monk Kidd The Secret Life of Bees

The Author – Sue Monk Kidd Born August 12, 1948 – Georgia Grew up listening to dad’s stories Went to Texas Christian University; graduated with a degree in nursing in 1970 Began writing at age of 30; nonfiction (memoirs) God’s Joyful Surprise, 1988 When the Heart Waits, 1990 The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, 1996

The Author – Sue Monk Kidd First novel: The Secret Life of Bees (2002) Second novel: The Mermaid Chair (2005) Third novel: The Invention of Wings (2014) Winner of numerous awards Lives in Southwest Florida with her husband, Sandy, and a black Lab, named Lily

SETTING Summer, 1964 – outside Sylvan, South Carolina Historical Context - Timeline (August 28, 1963) The March on Washington and King’s speech are widely given credit for drumming up support for the important events that followed.

SETTING The Civil Rights Act of 1964- Officially outlawed racial segregation in schools, public places and employment.

SETTING National Voting Rights Act of 1965 - Outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been used to keep blacks from voting at certain booths in the South.

Drinking Fountain

Schools

Movie Theaters

Soda Machines

Public Transportation

Other races too...

epigraph the mottos or the quotations used at the beginning of each chapter.

Allusion a reference to a person, place, poem, book, event, etc., which is not part of the story, that the author expects the reader will recognize. (see handout) historical, religious, cultural, literary Example: “But of course my luck with this guy sucks. So he turns his head and sees me. And wolfsmiles, showing oh granny what big teeth you have” (Speak 97). Allusion: Little Red Riding Hood

characters Lily Owens: (protagonist) 14 years old Rosaleen: nanny, care-taker T. Ray Owens: Lily’s father Deborah Owens: Lily’s mother August Boatwright: May Boatwright: June Boatwright: Zach Taylor:

Themes & Motifs Themes Coming of Age The Irrationality of Racism Self Discovery, Maturity, Growing-up The Irrationality of Racism irrational: without reason/logic or fairness The Power of Female Community The Importance of Storytelling We learn from them Motifs (re-occurring images/references) Bees Mothers

symbols Beehives Photographs The Black Mary