Sue Monk Kidd

Born August 12, 1948 – Georgia Began writing at age of 30; nonfiction

(memoirs) First novel: The Secret Life of Bees

(2002) Second novel: The Mermaid Chair (2005) Lives in Southwest Florida with her

husband, Sandy, and a black Lab, named Lily

Summer, 1964 – outside Sylvan, South CarolinaHistorical 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.

South Carolina, 1964 - A time of civil unrest (racial divides- painful reminders of the cruelty of racism)

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

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.

the mottos or the quotations used at the beginning of each chapter. (See handout)

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

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 Coming of Age

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

Beehives Photographs The Black Mary

a novel or other work of literature in which the main character or characters grow, mature, or understand the world in adult terms.