For this assignment, you will be required to: 
1. Read and annotate Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees.
2. Complete the writing assignment and turn it in on the first day of class.

Pre-Reading Research Exercise
Kidd’s novel is set in South Carolina in 1964. The Deep South was a
tumultuous place at that point in American history. It is important that you
understand what led to the Civil Rights Movement and what was achieved as a
result. These events provide the context for the novel.
Therefore, before you read The Secret Life of Bees you will need to conduct
some research. The Smithsonian Institute has created an excellent web site,
which explores the movement from the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education
ruling to the present day. Visit the link below and work your way through
the “History” section. You should visit all sub-sections in sequence,
reading each of the pages posted. You are responsible for thoroughly
reviewing this site. It will take you at least 2-3 hours to properly review
the site. You can find the site at:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/index.html

Reading the Novel
After researching the Civil Rights Movement, you should then move on to your
reading of The Secret Life of Bees. As you read, you should annotate your
text, marking it up as you make your way through it. For example, you might
want to write quick plot notes at the top of each page or underline
significant passages. Note: We will take an objective test on the novel
within the first few days of the school. So read the novel closely.

Writing Assignment
Your writing assignment will be a 5-paragraph essay, which explores the
following:

Kidd sets her novel in the southern U.S. in 1964. How do the events of the
Civil Rights Movement affect her story? How do historical events and
regional attitudes affect the novel’s characters.

Your essay should be typed, using Times New Roman 12-point font, and double-
spaced. The essay will be collected at our first class meeting.

Format of Essay
Paragraph 1 - Introduce your essay and present your thesis statement.
Paragraph 2 - Provide a description of what was happening in the U.S. in
1964.
Paragraph 3 - Describe an event from the novel, which reflects the racial
tension of the period, and explain the significance of that event.
Paragraph 4 - Explain how one or two of the characters is personally
affected by the issue of race relations at the time.
Paragraph 5 - Conclude your essay by summarizing your ideas & restating your
thesis. Note: Paragraphs 3 and 4 should include quotes from the novel to
support your ideas. Be sure to properly cite the quotes, using MLA format.
An MLA Style Guide is available on Regina’s web site.

If you have questions about the summer assignment, please contact your teacher. She will respond to your inquiries as promptly as possible.