Chapters 4&5

  1. Why does Lily love Rosaleen?
  2. Why is she ashamed of her?
  3. What crimes have the following characters committed: Lily, T. Ray, Rosaleen, Franklin, and Avery?
  4. What crimes where committed against Rosaleen and Lily and who were the perpetrators?
  5. Out of all of these crimes, who has committed the most heinous act? Why?
  6. Explain the quote at the beginning of each chapter.
  7. Lily is a good liar. This helps her, but at a cost. How does it help and what is the cost?
  8. Lily said “She fell down the front steps when we were leaving. August and June traded looks while Rosaleen narrowed her eyes, letting me know I had done it again, speaking for her like she wasn’t even there” (p 72). Discuss why Lily does this to Rosaleen. As you read on in the book, note whether Lily does this to anyone else and be prepared to discuss why or why not. Elderly people make the same complaint. Teens sometimes experience it as well. For what reasons might we tend to speak for someone who is standing right next to us instead of letting them speak for themselves?
  9. Why doesn’t Rosaleen correct Lily’s lies?
  10. Why does Lily say “…my skin had never felt so white to me”?
  11. Why does Lily think that the figurine is the Virgin Mary?
  12. What does June say that is a “revelation” to Lily? Does Lily have the right to be offended? (p 87)
  13. Explain the significance of Lily’s wondering about May’s sensitivity: “Would it divide the hurt in two, make it lighter to bear, the way feeling someone’s joy seemed to double it?” (p 95)
  14. How does June let Lily know that she doesn’t want her there? What are the possible reasons June doesn’t want Lily to stay.
  15. In the quote at the beginning of the chapter, it points out that the bees live in darkness. How is that true for Lily in this chapter?
  16. What does Lily mean “Since Mr. Johnson signed that law, it was like somebody had ripped the seams right out of American life.”
  17. The author uses first person narrative in the telling of the story. Find an example of how we are made aware of a point of view other than Lily’s, even though Lily is telling the story.