Secret Life of Bees. Revised Essay.

Aubree Mendez

English 70

08 September 2012

Why Can't this Love be Socially Accepted?

            "Maybe it was a simple matter of being attracted to what I couldn't have." Why can't a love be love? Through the eyes of Lily, she sees African Americans as uneducated and incapable of doing the things a white person can do. In the novel Lily’s love for Rosaleen, the Boatwright’s and Zach are questioned. Why can’t this love be socially accepted? Lily sees that society treats African Americans differently and does not seem to realize that during that particular time period, it was unacceptable to love someone or people that are no the same race. Throughout the novel, Lily has grown to understanding the terrible nature of prejudice. However, as she grows, her love for Rosaleen, Zach, August, May and June become more than just loves.

            In the novel, Zach and Lily have a relationship that begins as a friendship and slowly cultivates into one of a more romantic nature. Initially, Lily meets Zach and is surprised that she is attracted to him, because prior to this moment black people were unattractive in her eyes. "If he was shocked over me being white, I was shocked over him being handsome. At my school they made fun of colored people’s lips and noses. I myself had laughed at these jokes, hoping to fit in. Now I wished I could pen a letter to my school to read at opening assembly that would tell them how wrong we'd all been" (116). As her attraction to Zach gradually grows, she struggles with the thought of having a relationship with him. "It seems like I was now thinking of Zach forty minutes out of every hour, Zach, who was an impossibility. That's what I told myself five hundred times: Impossibility" (133). As the novel continues, Lily realizes that regardless of what she tries to tell herself, she cannot prevent herself from loving Zach. Zach wants to create a world where whites and black will be socially accepted, particularly in a romantic manner. He says, "We can't think of changing our skin…Change the world, that's how we gotta think" (216) Lily sees that there is so much more than just skin color, Zach demonstrates to Lily that he is good, kind and loving and distinguishes that the world is not only filled with fraudulent and judgmental people, but with people that have faith and love and want change.

            In The Secret Life of Bees, Lily has a close nit relationship with Rosaleen, her black housekeeper. Even then she does not consider white and black people to be equal. In the beginning of the novel, Lily does not accept to reconcile her love for Rosaleen with her understanding that blacks are inferior to whites. However, when Rosaleen’s life is threatened by a system that Lily cannot comprehend, nor agree with, she realizes her next step; she must save Rosaleen’s life. She understands that she must conquer extreme measures to protect Rosaleen’s safety, for she has an abundance of love for her and Lily would never want her safety being jeopardized. Lily and Rosaleen’s love for each other is endless. Although Rosaleen is African American, she sees Lily as her very own daughter. She promises to stay by Lily's side no matter what she encounters.

            Lily’s feelings begin to adjust when she meets the Boatwright’s. The Boatwright’s are portrayed as strong back women with a profession, an education and a religious community that is strong and positive. Her perception of black people has changed because of how intelligent and strong the sisters were. Throughout her time spent with the Boatwright’s, I do believe that Lily has seen the true side of love, a love for them that has never been distinguished by her before, a love for them that will never fade.

            I believe that through Lily's stay at the Boatwright’s her heart has been forever altered. Zach also had a significant impact on Lily, causing her to realize it is not about skin color, but about who you truly are. He taught her to listen to her heart. It should not be a matter of your skin color, or how society portrays people. If it is wrong in the eyes of the public, but it is right in your heart, that is all that matters. There should never be boundaries when loving someone of a different race. One should never be judged when loving. Lily soon discovers that love is limitless.

The Soloist. Chapters Twenty Seven- Thirty One. (Main Idea and Summary)

"I sit through the concert, thinking back on two years that have been more exhausting and fulfilling than i could have imagined the day i fist set eyes on Mr. Ayers. Maybe I'm now at a point of letting go, of recognizing the limitations imposed by so severe a disorder as schizophrenia. I have fought it from the beginning, wanting to believe things would be different in the case of Mr. Ayers, and even now i hold on to the hope that he might one day get past the cyclical descents into paranoia and rage, and give a try to medication that could vastly improve his life... I've never had a friend who lives in so spiritual a realm as Mr. Ayers... And he is the reason I've decided I'll never be happy doing anything other than telling stories. He has wiped away my professional malaise and shown me the dignity in being loyal to something you believe in, and its not a stretch to say that this man I hoped to save has done as much for me as I have for him" (Page 284-285). Nathaniel and Lopez' relationship has grown into something that they both will forever cherish. Throughout these chapters you see a glow in Nathaniel and know that he appreciates a friend like Steve. He's beginning to grow into the musician that he has always wanted to be and he will cherish these moments for a life time. Ayers' new studio finishes around Christmas and finds himself surrounded by love and the new gifts that he's received by people he has inspired. Still today Nathaniel leaves a lasting impression on not only Lopez but his loved ones and people who still continue to read and hear about his story.

The Soloist. Chapters Twenty Seven- Thirty One. (Questions)

1. What was Nathaniel's Christmas gift?
2. Who did Nathaniel meet backstage?
3. How has Ayers and Lopez' relationship grown?
4. How was Nathaniel and Jennifer's reaction to seeing each other.

The Soloist. Chapters Twenty- Twenty Six. (Main Idea and Summary)

Throughout chapters twenty through twenty six, Lopez sees a change in Nathaniel. At first Nathaniel has made a huge improvement by continuing to spend the nigh in his apartment, he sees that Nathaniel is looking very clean and well rested. His appearance and his attitude seems to be changing for the better. However, as Lopez tries to get more help, Nathaniel resists and hesitates. As time goes on Lopez sees Nathaniel changing once again, Nathaniel has this look in his eyes that he had never seen before, a side of Nathaniel that not only frightens him, but saddens Lopez. Next, Lopez schedules a trip to New York for only one reason, to know this one part of Nathaniel's life a little better.

Towards the end of the story, Steve and Nathaniel have endured many different situations and trials. All in all, the two faced their differences. A friendship that was broken due to harsh words, and mended because of the deeper connection and bond they shared. Because of Nathaniel’s illness, he lashed out on Steve, he even threatened him. Sadly this caused Steve to feel that all he had did for Nathaniel amounted to nothing. Steve’s great character shines through because when Nathaniel is at his lowest, Steve decides to walk away and give him the space he needs. Steve has a larger understanding of Nathaniel’s mental illness. At the  end of the chapter, Nathaniel reveals his sincerity. I am sure he never truly meant what he said. And like a good friend that Steve is, the two became friends again. I really liked these chapters because it is the climax of the story, we see a friendship torn into pieces, but we also witness what the meaning of a true friendship is. 

The Soloist. Chapters Twenty- Twenty Six. (Questions)

1. What gift did Nathaniel receive from Steve? 

2. What was the reason Nathaniel had a picture of Neil Diamond on the wall?

3. Why does Lopez consider moving?

4. Why does Nathaniel get angry at Lopez and Prchal?

5. Why did Lopez take a trip to New York?

Grading. Brief Introduction to Water and Soil Pollution.

I would grade myself an A because I feel like I analyzed the article very well. I gave examples and provided the necessary research from this article into my answers.

Brief Introduction to Water and Soil Population.

1. The main idea in these three short articles is about how water and soil pollution effects not only our environment, but also the world itself.  

2.  Water pollution can occur in any body of water, including rivers, lakes and oceans. The polluting substance is often man made waste, such as household garbage. The water pollution is a danger to the marine creatures and the marine life, the marine plants and the environment. The pollution in the water endangers them because they depend on the waters natural resources to stay alive as well as the water being clean enough for them to survive in.

3. The man made pollution substances that affect water are, household garbage and commercial refuse resulting from manufacturing waste or agricultural runoff. Man-made substances that affect soil are when farmers use excessive amounts of fertilizer and other chemical on their land. Other examples of soil pollution are oil leaks or spills, seepage from a landfill or radioactive contamination.

4. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is also known as the “Wolds Largest Landfill” An estimated 3.5 million tons of trash reside in this landfill. The trash that is kept in this landfill is a result of currents in the Pacific Ocean that pull the trash and pollution into the ocean. This is the trash that effects the marine life and that is continuing to destroy the habitat and possibly the extinction of fish and animals.

5.

·      In the Pacific Ocean an estimated twenty percent of the population comes from ships at sea that may dump waste or cargo according to the Public Broadcasting System.

·      Less than twenty percent comes from beachgoers whoa allow their trash to be swept away at sea.

·      Other sources include leftovers from storm drainage systems and trash from other countries beside the United States, including China, Japan and Mexico.

6.  The Pacific Ocean circulates pollutants in the air, also known as persistent organic pollutants, which includes many toxic chemicals that can kill and endanger animals.

7. The recycling rate for those twenty nine billion bottles of water is low. Only about thirteen percent end up in the recycling stream where they are turned into products like fleece clothing, carpeting, playground equipment and new containers and bottles. Plastic bottles take centuries to decompose and if they are incinerated, toxic byproducts, such as chlorine gas and ash containing heavy metals, are released into the atmosphere.

8.

·      Don’t drink bottles of water because it can be toxic.

·      Plastic does not decompose.

·      Chemicals and trash can have an effect on the extinction of animals.

·      Marine life can be endangered.

·      Water bottles are not as always as safe as tap water.

9. “Don’t litter, it makes the world bitter!”

10. If they prohibited bottled water I would feel that everyone should be required to have a filtered water dispenser in their household. I too drink bottled water on a regular daily basis, but if we had a filter on our sink that provided clean filtered water, it would save money and people would know that it is clean filtered water.  

The Soloist Chapters Thirteen- Nineteen (Main Purpose and Summary)

As Nathaniel continues to be demanding, Lopez begin to feel emotionally overwhelmed, as well as emotionally and physically drained. Steve wants Nathaniel to get as much help and to get cured so that he can go back to being a husband and a father. However, as their relationship grows Nathaniel continues to make a lasting impression on Steve, to the point where Steve will do anything for Nathaniel and anything got help him get better and give him those opportunities to start a new life.

Steve asks the mayor to join him as he makes his round through skid row. The mayor begins to realize that this place needs help and is more than willing to put this on top of his list. As time goes on Nathaniel begins to realize that this place isn't right nor is it safe for him. He sees that Steve can be trusted and that he is able to keep his instruments in a safe place, rather than on is cart. Towards the last chapter Nathaniel tells James that this is his place and that he hasn't given up, nor has he quit anything. It makes you realize how far Nathaniel has come and how much he's grown and continues to grow.

The Soloist. Chapters Thirteen- Nineteen (Questions)

1. Why did Nathaniel feel the need to run away when he was younger?
2. What instruments interested Nathaniel?
3. Was there any musicians in Nathaniel's families recent history?
4. Why did Nathaniel's first teacher at Juilliard call the police to Nathaniel's home?

The Soloist. Chapters Six- Twelve Main Purpose and Summary

In chapters six through twelve Steve's main purpose was to get Nathaniel help. Throughout these chapters Steve does everything he can to help Nathaniel, from spending the night at skid row to getting him his own apartment. Yet, Nathaniel still neglects to get medical attention. However, will do whatever Steve asks of him, maybe because he doesn't want to break their friendship. 

In chapters six through twelve Steve meets with a doctor to try to figure out if there is something he can do about Nathaniel's condition. The doctor tells Steve that Nathaniel's road to recovery is not going to be involving a text book treatment program, but a development of trust in Steve and others to peruse his own recovery. Nathaniel began to come across a great amount of opportunities, such as performing at the Blue Bongo, receiving an invitation to see a rehearsal at Disney Hall, an opportunity to live in his own apartment, for free, and Peter Snyder offers to give him lessons. Nathaniel did not want any of these opportunities, but opened up to them, seeing how important it was that he do so. 

The Soloist. Chapters Six- Twelve. (Questions)

1. Why doesn't Nathaniel want his own apartment and take this as a very rare, but also a blessing that he is getting this opportunity?
2.  Where does Nathaniel get an opportunity to play?
3. What and where does Nathaniel get invited to?

Newspaper Article.

http://news.yahoo.com/14-rescued-2-missing-tall-ship-off-nc-132009536.html;_ylt=Av.YG9fhwU26MkIf5tg6qRes0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNsdmYzcm1xBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBGUARwa2cDZGQ2MDU0YTEtNmI4MC0zMWExLTlhOTctYmEzYmY1NzhhOTcyBHBvcwMyBHNlYwN0b3Bfc3RvcnkEdmVyA2YxNzQyZTkzLTIxZDUtMTFlMi1hZmZkLTRjZThlODZmNTc1NQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTFpNzk0NjhtBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3

Newspaper Reading: Preparation for Group Discussion

Student: Aubree Mendez

WORD	PART OF SPEECH (Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb, etc.)	SYNONYM OR DEFINITION
1.  Donned	Verb	Put on. (an item of clothing)
2. Mast	Noun	A tall upright post, spar, or other structure on a ship or boat, in sailing vessels generally carrying a sail or sails.
3. Canopied	Verb	Cover or provide with a canopy.

3) To help with the context for the words you selected, highlight or underline the sentences that contain the three words you gathered.

Hill said an MH60 Jayhawk helicopter from Elizabeth city, N.C. arrived at 6:30 am and rescued nine crew members who had donned survival suits and boarded 25-foot life boats.

 The coast guard initially received a call from the owner of the 180-foot, three mast ship late Sunday evening, saying she had lost communication with the vessel’s crew.

He said the crew abandoned ship into canopied, rubber life rats with about 10 feet of water on board.

4) In one sentence, explain what the article is about. You can use the following sentence starters to help you: “This article is about…” “The main idea in this article is…”

 The main idea of this article is about the hurricane in New York. The coast guard rescued fourteen members of a crew forced to abandon the tall ship HMS Bounty caught in Hurricane Sandy off the North Carolina outer Banks and continued the search Monday for two other crew members. 

The Soloist. Chapters One to Five (Summary)

From the very beginning when Steve Lopez, a writer for the Los Angeles Times, met Nathaniel Ayers, he knew there was something different about him. The way he played the violin was intriguing to Steve and thats when he knew he was good story. Steve thought that his story would make a great column for the Los Angeles Times and it was a must that he needed to get to know him. From the first day they met Steve continued to make short visits to Nathaniel, until he was comfortable with him. However, Nathaniel is not mentally stable, he has schizophrenia and over the years has gradually lost his ability to function. Steve then talked to people that knew a little about Nathaniel and later found out that he was a classical bass student at Juilliard. Steve wrote a column in the paper about Nathaniel and soon got a response from Al Rich, the CEO of Peal River Piano Group America, who says he is sending a student- model cello and violin. Steve knew that Nathaniel would love these instruments, but also knew that they had potential to get stolen. He made a deal with Nathaniel stating that he will only let him have the instruments if they are stored at Lamp. Nathaniel agreed and eventually warmed up to the idea and played at Lamp.

The Soloist. Chapters One- Five (The Main Purpose)

The main purpose of the book The Soloist is to tell the story of homeless man that has nothing, but yet has everything, has a talent and has knowledge that no ordinary homeless man has. The book focus' on Nathaniel Ayers, who has schizophrenia, and is homeless. He was a promising bass student at Juilliard that gradually lost his ability to function. Once Steve Lopez set eyes on him he knew right then that Nathaniel was more than the ordinary.

The Soloist. Chapters One- Five (Questions)

1. What made Nathaniel Ayers this way? What made him lose his ability to function?
2. Why was Steve Lopez so intrigued by Nathaniel Ayers? 
3. Were there clues earlier in his life that something might not be right?

Practice Test Grade.

I gave myself an A because I answered all of the questions thoroughly as well as analyzing them as well.

Maple Apple Bars.

Maple Apple Bars

For the cake batter

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1/3 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup applesauce
1 cup AP flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 apple, cubed
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped

For the streusel topping

1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp rolled oats, coarsely ground
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup butter, cubed

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Butter an 11″x7″ glass baking dish and set aside.

2. Measure dry ingredients for streusel topping into a bowl. Using your fingers, work in butter until the mixture is roughly incorporated and crumbly.

3. Using a stand mixer or in a large bowl, cream butter and maple syrup. Beat in the egg. Next, stir in the vanilla extract and apple sauce.

4. Measure dry ingredients into a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add to the liquids and stir just until all ingredients are incorporated. Fold in walnuts and apples, then spoon batter into prepared baking dish, smoothing it out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

5. Sprinkle streusel topping over the top and bake for 35 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Homelessness.

·      -Students and teachers from UCLA are helping homeless on the streets of L.A. every week.

·      -USICH (United States Interagency Council on Homelessness)- This agency provides government aid for all homeless people in the U.S. They offer programs.

·     - The city of Santa Barbara created a program to take care of homeless people and it’s going to cost more than one million. -They will work with Casa Esperanza and Transition house. There are one thousand and forty homeless people in SB, and seventy percent are men.

·      -Fifty seven percent of homeless people in SB have mental illness and seventy seven percent have been in jail.

·      -Anywhere from seven hundred thousand to two million people are homeless according to estimates of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.

·     - The homeless population is about fifty percent African American, thirty five percent white, twelve percent Hispanic, two percent Native American and one percent Asian.

·      -Sixty Six percent of the homeless have problems with alcohol, drug abuse, or mental illness.

·      -Twenty two percent have been physically assaulted.

·      -Seven percent has been sexually assaulted.

·      -Thirty eight percent say someone stole money or things directly from them.

-Thirty percent have been homeless for more than two years.

The Secret Life of Bees.

• Lily and June do not hug in the movie.
• T-Ray is conveyed as having a kind heart in the movie. 
• She did not put the notebook in the wailing wall in the movie. 
• Lily and Zach's kiss was at the end of the movie. 
• She did not call T-Ray in the movie.
• In the movie they left out the part where they were putting honey on The Lady of Chains.

Book Report Materials..Four..

English 70 Book Report Materials

PART 1:

Questions	Event 1	Event 2	Event 3
What happened?	May Knows Debora.	Mays Suicide.	Mary Day.
When did it happen and where?	The Pink House.	-The Pink House. -The river.	The Pink House.
Who was involved? What did they say? What did they do?	(Lily and May.) -“I had nearly finished a glass of juice Before I let myself look at the little highway of broken graham crackers and marshmallow bits that May was constructing across the floor, how it started at the sink and angled toward the door, thick with golden crumbs, and smidges of sticky white.“ -May said, “ The roaches will follow this out the door,  It works every time.” -“I don’t know how long I stared at the line on the floor, at Mays face turned toward mine, eager for me to say something, but I couldn’t think what to say.” -Lily felt a strange thick feeling inside. A memory. She stood there waiting letting it come… “ Your mother was a lunatic when it came to bugs, T-Ray had said. She used to make trails of graham cracker crumbs and marshmallows to lure roaches outside.” -“Lily looked and May and thought to herself, “My mother couldn’t have learn the roach trick from May. Could she?” -Ever since Lily had stepped into the pink house, some part of her had believed that her mother had been there. -Lily asked May if she had ever known a Deborah Fontanel. -May replied with, “Oh, yes, Deborah Fontanel. She stayed out therein the honey house. Se was the sweetest thing. “ Then, she started humming  “Oh! Susanna.” She got up slowly, starting to sniffle. “I think ill go out to the wall for a little,” she said.	Lily sat in the kitchen with August, June and Rosaleen. May had been gone for five minutes when August got up and began to pace. August walked out to the porch and the stared toward the wall. The women go out to find May, but she is not by the wailing wall. –June you go tot the house and call the police. Tell them we need help to find our sister. When you hang up, you kneel before Our Lady and beg her to watch over May, and then you come back. Were going to walk toward the river.” –I clutched frantically at Augusts’ arm, but she pulled free of me, threw down her flashlight, and waded into the river. - Lily went in after her and when she reached her, August was starting down at her baby sister. “June,” She shouted. “June!” - May lay in two feet of water with huge river stone on top of her chest. It weighed her body, holding it on the bottom. Looking at her Lily thought, she will get up now. August will roll away the stone, and May will come up for air, and we will go back to the house and get her dry. -When the police come, they interrogate Lily and tell her that living with blacks is beneath her dignity.	- Mary Day was a special remembrance of for the Lady of Chains. -They reenact her story and give thanks to the honey crop. -They do this for two days of the year. -The rest of the day is spent getting ready, decorating, and baking. June shows up later that day with an engagement ring. Soon after the Daughters of Mary arrive along with Zach and Neil. -“They all seemed sunk into their meditating, or whatever it was they were doing. Everyone’s eyes were closed, except Zach’. He stared right at me. -Lily glanced at poor shacked Mary. She couldn’t bear seeing her like that.
Why is this an important event?	When Lily discovers May tempting the roaches, Lily realizes that her suspicions were correct. Her mother did in fact spend some time at the Boatwright’s house. May is unaware of Lily’s interest in finding out about Deborah Fontanel, and yet she is the one who gives Lily the confidence to as about her mother.	Although Mays suicide is violent and sad, her death leads Lily to positive realizations. The trauma of Mays death disturbs Lily’s routine and causes her to realize how happy she has become in the Boatwright’s house.	-For August and June, losing May was a traumatic loss, but it also helps them realize they have gained a type of sister in Rosaleen and a type of daughter in Lily. I don’t think it was a coincidence that Mary Day follows right after the mourning period for May. It allows them to act out Mays dying wishes. The sisters being to live again.

I think that Lily will tell August everything, and tell her that the only reason as to why she is there and why she eve came to the pink house is to find out more about her mother.

PART 2:

1.     How does May die?

2.     Why does Zach get arrested?

3.     Who is Aristaeus?

PART 3:

WORD	PART OF SPEECH	DEFINITION	EXAMPLE FOUND IN THE BOOK	PAGE
Lurches	Noun.	An abrupt uncontrolled movement.	“Sometimes when I saw him my stomach went through a series of sudden drops and lurches.”	216
Delicacy	Noun.	The quality of being delicate, in particular.	“They don’t know a delicacy when they see one, do they, Lily?”	218
Aquamarine	Noun.	A precious stone consisting of a light bluish-green variety of beryl.	“It was aquamarine and shiny as taffeta.”	210
Taffeta	Noun.	A fine lustrous silk or similar synthetic fabric with a crisp texture.	It was aquamarine and shiny as taffeta.”	210

Questions...

1. What would happen to the human species when the Earth reaches its capacity according to the article?
2. According to the article, how can people improve the issue of the Earth reaching its carrying capacity?
3. According to the article, will technology help solve the problem of overpopulation on Earth? Explain your answer.
4. What are other examples of restricting population mentioned in the article (e.g., famine)?
5. Do you think if the Earth reaches its capacity more governments will need to limit the amount of children families have?

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Cookies.

http://www.bakeorbreak.com/2012/04/cream-cheese-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Newspaper Reading..

Newspaper Reading: Preparation for Group Discussion

WORD	PART OF SPEECH (Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb, etc.)	SYNONYM OR DEFINITION
1.Ecology.	Noun.	The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
2.Exponentially.	Adjective.	Of or pertaining to an exponent or exponents.
3.Negate.	Verb.	To deny the existence, evidence, or truth of.

1) To help with the context for the words you selected, highlight or underline the sentences that contain the three words you gathered.

“They have argues that this human ability allows food production to grow exponentially, as well. “

“Or do humans’ unique abilities to develop new food and energy- production methods negate danger?”

“Carrying capacity itself is a well-known and widely accepted concept in ecology.”

2) In one sentence, explain what the article is about. You can use the following sentence starters to help you: “This article is about…” “The main idea in this article is…”

 The main idea is whether or not the earth has reached its carrying capacity.

Question: What would happen if earth reached its carrying capacity?