A Favorite Character

My favorite character is Rosaleen because of the way she takes care of Lily like her own child with all the love that Lily's mother can't give to her. She makes Lily feel like she is her mother with care and love. When Rosaleen is in a fight, Lily helps her out because she doesn't want Rosaleen to get hurt. Another thing I like about Rosaleen is her personal way of having relationships with kids who are younger than her. I also like her because she is very funny.
Posted By: Li L.

Plot Summary

The book The Secret Life of Bees is about a girl named Lily. She lives with her dad only because her mom passed away. Her dad blames Lily for being the reason why her mom died. Lily's dad didn't love Lily and treated her like she was worth nothing; the only person that Lily felt close to was her maid Roseleen. Roseleen was like a mother figure to Lily. One night, Lily went out in the middle of the night looking at her mother's things. Her dad found her outside, thinking that she was with a guy. He punished her for going outside in the middle of the night. Lily soon realized that she needed to leave, so Lily and Roseleen left on a journey to find out about "the black madonna" which belonged to Lily's mother. She was curious about that picture of the black lady because she wanted to know who drew it, because whoever drew it could possibly know Lily's mother. With that note, Lily and Roseleen landed in August's house where the black madonna honey was made. August and her sisters let Lily and Roseleen stay at their house untill they got on their own feet. Lily and Roseleen helped August and her sisters with chores and with making the honey. Eventually they all started to become close, and Lily started to think that she might stay with them forever, but Roseleen thought otherwise.
posted by Sharmin K.

My Opinion On The Secret Life of Bees

So far I like the book The Secret Life of Bees. My favorite parts of this novel are the suspense and the drama, such as the killing of Lily's mother, how Rosaleen goes to jail, Lily breaking her out, or how Lily and Rosaleen run away from home. Some of my predictions for this book are: Lily's father will look for and find Lily and Rosaleen, T-Ray is the person responsible for the killing of Lily's mother, and Lily will remember the day her mother dies. Some questions I have about the book are: Where does Lily tell August she and Rosaleen are headed? What does Lily remember best about her mother? and Who tells T-Ray where Lily is?
posted by Anthony DJ

My Favorite Quote

I like the quote "you don’t scare me" by Lily on page 38, because it showed that she was sticking up for herself to T-ray. I know she always wanted to. I also liked it because I was really shocked. In my head I thought, “wow!” I think Rosaleen was right for spitting at the policeman because he disrespected her, but back then it didn't matter. I felt bad that they hit her in the head with the flashlight. I think that August will be the mother figure to Lily because she doesn't have one; I would really want that for Lily because she is missing a part of herself not having that figure in her life, so it would make me happy if August takes her as her own daughter. The Secret Life of Bees is so far so good. I like it so far and hopefully I will like the ending. I think Lily made a good decision running away although I wouldn't encourage anybody to do it. T-ray was such a negative person towards her, always hitting her for no reason, which is not cool.
*By: Aster B.*

The Reasons I Like this Book

This autobiography of Frederick Douglas, while showing the challenges along the way to seeking truth and freedom, also demonstrates the rewards. It shows you that if you set a certain goal and try to achieve it, it will be very rewarding once you get the feeling of accomplishment and all of the things that come with it.

The author employs such a wide variety of literary devices. From very effective uses of metaphor, ex: “nor because he possessed the slightest shadow of a right to it; but solely because he had the power to compel me to give it up. The right of the grim visaged pirate on the high seas is exactly the same” to subtle sarcasm, to irony, to gripping drama, to understatement. Frederick Douglas’s literary elements are not complicated and are easy to understand; it is like he was using the language of the common people without too many BIG words. By doing so, more people can read his book clearly and truly understand the inhumanity of slavery

I also found this book could be used in both literature classes as well as history classes, because it gives you further or more inside knowledge about certain situations. This very short book is considered by some to be an American classic. Some asks the question "why?" In my opinion, the answer is all in the narrative which very effectively shows how reading and education can open one's eyes to a very valuable commodity...Opportunity.

This book gives you a full view of how slavery was inflicted on people just because they were black. It gives you details as to how slaves were treated, from his aunt being whipped to his mother’s death which to him was that of a stranger. By far those are the most memorable or rather moving pieces of his story. The grim detail he went into as these events were going on allowed me to get a visual that-- although I didn’t want to ever have to visualize it-- was necessary to get his point across. Those were some of the reason I liked the book. I have a million more.
Posted by Jump Shot Chicken

My Favorite Elements of the Book

The Secret Life Of Bees is a great story because it’s a great, well-written book. It’s an interesting book that shows you what relationships are like. The relationship between Lilly and Rosaleen is very wonderful. Rosaleen is like a mother to Lily. They love each other, but they don't really show this to each other.

The story is really great and it’s a book that has kept me wanting to read more and more and make predictions about what is going to happen in the following chapters. The book has some parts I like, for example, when we learned that Lilly might have accidentally killed her mother. That was really dramatic. The part where she gets Rosaleen out of the hospital was a very exciting part.

My favorite character in the book is Lily because she is full of courage and bravery. She is not afraid to do anything. If it was me I would be so scared and nervous to get Rosaleen out of the hospital. She is a girl who is not afraid to do anything and I think that is a wonderful personality.

In the following chapters I am most looking forward to learning if Lilly really accidentally shot her mother. I think there are so many more exciting chapters just waiting for us to read and I am so excited to read them.

Posted by Anil A.

Detrimental Effects on Slaveholders

Reading the Narrative of the Life of Federick Douglass really explained to me how slavery could have a detrimental effect on the slaveholder as well as the slave. So far I have noticed that Federick Douglass describes the worst changes in adopted slaveholders and those who are introduced to religion.
The change in the nature of his mistress, Mrs. Auld, was especially jarring to me because her disposition towards him changed completely: "My mistress was, as I have said, a kind and tenderhearted woman; and in the simplicity of her soul she commenced, when I first went to live with her, to treat me as she supposed one human being ought to treat another...In entering upon the duties of a slaveholder, she did not seem to percieve that I sustained to her the relation of mere chattel, and that for her to treat me as a human being was not only wrong, but dangerously so. Slavery proved as injurious to her as it did to me...Under its influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamblike disposition gave way to one of tiger-like fierceness." She had even become more violent towards Federick Douglass than Mr. Auld had been.
He also described Thomas Auld as an adopted slaveholder which he considered the worst. When he lived with Captain Auld, he was scarcely fed although there was an abundance of food available. I also thought it was ironic that after Captain Auld became religious, he became more cruel and hateful because then he was able to justify his treatment of his slaves. It made me notice how much religion was twisted in the South so that slaveholders could be validated in their behavior.

posted by Mikaela M.

Separating Families

I believe one of the saddest quotes I've read from the Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass was "Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the ridings of [my mother's] death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger." (Pg20-21) In this quotation, Douglass uses descriptive adjectives like "soothing" and "tender" to imaginatively recreate the childhood that he would have known if his mother had been present. This quote had an effect on me because I knew that at a young age, Frederick Douglass and his mom had separated. He had only seen his mother 4-5 times and spent little time with her when they met. It shows how cruel and cold blooded slave owners could be; separating families because they were afraid that the slaves would escape, not allowing family members to see each other, nor letting them be together when they needed each other most. I believe that this is the most horrible thing you can do to someone. The quote shows how the absence of someone important can affect you. Imagine if you were in his place. How would you feel? I would be angry at the slave owners for treating us slaves so poorly. Frederick Douglass shows how social injustice can be expressed through the breakdown of the family structure.
-- posted by John I.

June

My favorite character is June because she is straight up. At that period of time I would not like a little "white" girl roaming all around my house. June makes you think of the time period and how racism existed. She probably thought maybe someone was planning something for me (June), seeing how we basically kidnapped a little girl. Not a good idea. I wonder how June will end up treating Lily.
Posted by Jeison L.

Douglass and Literacy

So far I really like this book. I find it to be a lot more entertaining than I expected, considering it’s a narrative which I’m not usually fond of. One thing in particular that I liked was Douglass’ use of vocabulary and his style of writing. He was a slave born into the harsh evils of slavery in the Deep South. It was just about illegal for him to know how to read, likewise for him to be taught to read. The interesting thing is that even though the institution of slavery tried to hinder his potential to become literate, he rose above it and mastered the art of writing at a level significantly above the majority of the country. His unique style of writing can best be described as elegant and graceful. At this time, there were probably not many people who would even begin to fathom what an exquisite writer he would one day become.
From about pages 51-56 Frederick Douglass discusses the various methods he used to learn to read and his motivation. This is one of my favorite sections of the book. He describes the suspicion his mistress felt towards him anytime he was near a piece of writing such as a newspaper, and how determined his mistress was to prevent him from reading. This acted as a huge motivation and only fueled his eagerness to learn. On page 51 he says: “Mistress, in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell.” I like this quote mainly because it is a subtle, yet satirical reply to what Mr. Auld had warned Mrs. Auld against.
Another thing that I like about Frederick Douglass were his values as a young slave. Of course he valued freedom, what slave wouldn’t? But what I am really getting at is that it doesn’t seem like the same things are important to him as the other slaves. For example, to a slave, the thing they treasure most might be rest at night when the work day is over, or a day where they could work inside, or clothes and food. I don’t mean to say that these things were unimportant to Douglass, but it seems that what he valued most was to discover the world of literacy. As a boy he would give away his bread to poor children in return for spelling lessons. When he was near the docks he would take as much time as he could to look at the various letters used to mark all sorts of wood and cargo shipments. He would even tell kids that he could spell better than them just so they would try to out-spell him. An interesting thing to think about is that these children who he spelled with were white, and if their parents found out about a young slave trying to learn to read then Douglass may have gotten into trouble. It may have been unlikely, but it’s just some food for thought when you consider what he was risking in order to learn the alphabet.
All in all I really like this book. I’m not too familiar with the story of Frederick Douglass and his role as an abolitionist, except for maybe his newspaper “The North Star.” I look forward to finishing this book so that I might be able to get a better insight on slavery and the life of a slave. We all learn in history class that slavery was terrible and that slaves faced horrible conditions, which is true, but we also know that history is a some-what biased recording of events. I just find it relieving in a way to read a full piece of writing regarding slavery from the eyes of someone that dealt with it first hand, freed himself, and ended up being known as one of the most famous abolitionists of all time. So this is my opinion of the book, just a bunch of things that I liked and provoked a little thought in my mind. I hope you can use it in a way to get a better sense of the book.

posted by Josh S.

Lily and August

My prediction for The Secret Life of Bees is that Lily and August will get really close. I think Lily finally found someone who really cares about her and loves her alot besides Rosaleen. I think August is going to want to keep Lily as her own daughter. I also predict that May will get her problem fixed by the help of Rosaleen. Maybe Rosaleen will make her feel good about herself and not be sad anymore. I believe June hopefully will finally get married and have some happiness in her life and make her sisters proud. Most likely the book will have a good ending and everyone will be happy with their lives.

My favorite part in the book was when Lily and August sit around and August tells her all her problems about May because Lily feels that someone can actually trust her about their family problems. It also makes Lily feels speical because not alot of people share personal information with her. I think August is a really nice and caring person. That's why that's my favorite part.
posted by Amra H.

Bees

I am really enjoying the book so far. I like how the author used bees as Lily's guides. In the beginning, they come to her room to imply the message that she should be on her own and leave the house. Also, the epigraphs from a book about bees give us a preview of every chapter. Bees play an important role in the epigraphs and guiding Lily.
posted by Juwon L.

Your Jar Is Open

My most favorite quote so far is when Lily hears the strange words "LilyMelissa Owens, your jar is open" on page 41. This quote tells a lot ofthings. It sounds as if whoever said this voice, whether it's someone's imagination or a spirit from the other world, is trying to tell the person hearing it to have faith in himself/herself; to do something that the certain person is really capable of. It is very similar to the case when the bees that were kept in a jar in Lily's room did not fly away when Lily opened the jar. Because Lily mentioned that the bees felt as if the whole world shrank to the size of that jar, the bees did not have the courage to fly into a whole new, and bigger world, which eventually they did. The quote also relates to Lily's case, which was similar to the bees. Hearing the words "your jar is open," Lily escaped from the "jar" she was imprisoned in by T. Ray and ran into a whole, bigger, and vast new world. You may wonder-- why is this such a big deal? It is a big deal to me because this quote hamany different and deep meanings to everyone. It could annouce one's freedom or independence, give faith and courage, or even give an idea to a person about what he or she is really capable of doing - that is, as mentioned earlier, to prove one's worthiness. It is amazing how a couple of words can affect people so significantly and greatly. Reading the quote also inspires me to find out more of its meanings. As a conclusion, I think that the reason why I really like this quote is because of the mysteries and powers a combination of such words can hold.
-- Anonymous

Post on Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

The Narrative of Frederick Douglass has many quotes that I thought put an emphasis on how detrimental slavery truly was. On page 20, Douglass says, “Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender watch and care, I received the tidings of my mother’s death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger.” This quote truly signifies the cruelties of slavery, including the separation of family bonds due to the purchasing of slaves. Douglass recalls nothing much of a mother-son relationship that he wishes he had, and imagines their relationship as something similar to tenderness and soothing. Douglass’s mother is nothing but a mere memory because she died when Frederick was at the age of 7, and even after her death he was not permitted to attend the funeral of his own mother. This act is overwhelmingly dehumanizing; the outlawing of attending a person’s own family member’s funeral deprived Douglass of the memories he had the potential of making with his mother. However, Frederick Douglass recalls that his mother worked and toiled during the day, yet his mother visited him during the night and watched him sleep. Unfortunately when Douglass woke in the morning, he never saw his mother beside him. Using the words “soothing presence and her tender watch and care,” Douglass refers to a certain memory that he hoped he had with his mother instead of having no memories of her at all. He says that because there was a lack of an essential mother and son bond that should be endowed to all children, he refers to his mother’s death the same way in which he would have responded to a stranger’s death.
Frederick Douglass also clears up some of the common misconceptions that were held back in the era of slavery. When the northerners visited the South to see the cruelties of slavery, most saw happiness and contentment whenever slaves were in church singing gospels. On page 29, the book reads, “I did not, when a slave, understand the deep meaning of those rude and apparently incoherent songs. I was myself within the circle; so that I neither saw nor heard as those without might see and hear.” Before Frederick Douglass learned to read and write, he was not fully exposed to everything that the world had to offer. He had been sheltered in the realms of slavery, not aware that there was a world in the North where slavery was not permitted. Therefore Douglass and among many others misconstrued the meaning of slaves singing. Eventually he came to understand that slaves did not sing because they were satisfied with their lives, but because singing songs was the only way to fully express their sorrows and their tormented souls. Slaves drowned their unhappiness in the songs they sang, something that was the only escape available for slaves at the time.
I think these two quotations from the autobiography are extremely powerful; both explain the horrible conditions of slavery that both emotionally and mentally grasped the attentions of many readers.
Posted by Jennifer J.

Post on Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: A Favorite Quote and FD's Writing Style

Perhaps my favorite part of the Narrative of the life of Fredrick Douglass is his deep understanding and explanation into the true working and ideas behind the successes of slavery. It seems as if Fredrick Douglass himself is a prime example of why strict laws were put in place about the treatment and especially the education of slaves. As Fredrick Douglass explains the idea of not allowing slaves an education is an attempt to not give them any hope of freedom. This idea of isolating a slave to a life of hard work and no hope or better yet idea of freedom serves to the master’s advantage. A master viewed slaves as property just like animals or farming equipment; what use is an ox who instead of working the field finds itself distracted chasing its tail? This was the same for slaves; their purpose was to work-- spending time reading was misspent time and a waste of money.

I like Fredrick Douglass’ master, Mr. Auld’s, line “If you give a n***** an inch, he will take an ell. An***** should know nothing but to obey his master-” (P.47). I love this line first because Fredrick Douglass proves its truth and second because it sums up the way masters control their slaves. Fredrick Douglass receives a seed of education from his mistress; there he learns little more then some letters. However from that “inch” he turns it into an “ell.” This was precisely the fear of Mr. Auld. Fredrick Douglass is eventually able to turn this bit of knowledge into his freedom. The second reason I love this line is because it sums up the system used by masters to contain their slaves. By never surrendering so much as an “inch” to their slaves they create a sort of imaginary vacuum in which the slaves live. In this vacuum there is no such thing as freedom, education, or self worth, just obeying your master. By creating this vacuum slaves don’t fight for freedom, because they don’t know of it. Slaves don’t desire an education, because they don’t know of it. This vacuum, though effective for the purposes of a slave master, is also very fragile and dangerous to him as well. In a vacuum all it takes is one leak to lead to a catastrophe. That one little leak is the “inch” Mr. Auld was talking about. Just as air rushes into a vacuum an education given to a slave expands to the point of which that slave desires freedom and may posses the tools to attain it.

I am also enjoying Fredrick Douglass’ first hand accounts and blunt honesty of his experiences with slavery. Between different textbooks and biased pieces it is hard to gain a true understanding of the treatment and lives of slaves, Fredrick Douglass provides this. Though he is brutally honest about the torture and mistreatment of slaves he is also honest about times in which life was not as bad as you may think. Though you may find yourself awestruck at his descriptions of whippings and cold blooded murder you also understand that at times slaves were not subjected to that type of treatment. His time with the Aulds, though far from enjoyable, actually provided him with certain things that other free children lacked. For example he was always well fed while often young Irish children went hungry. Fredrick Douglass wrote this book from a very objective point of view; the facts rather than intellectual reasoning tell you of the hardships of slavery.

Post author: Matt S.