Questions for Bee Season by Myla Goldberg. Answer each of the questions below. Your book report should be approximately 10 pages in length. The lecture notes and the Cherlin text will be useful resources.
Give a brief summary of the book.
The myth of family consensus seems to be shattered by what we learn about the Naumann family. Give three examples from the book to support that family consensus is indeed a myth.
The myth of family differentiation dispels the assumption that all family members have common needs, common interests and common experience. Give three examples from the book to dispel this assumption.
The myth of separate worlds suggests that there are sharp boundaries between the family and the rest of the world. Religion and education are two institutions that influence and impact on the Naumann family. Give two examples of how religion impacted on them and at least one example of how the schools impacted on the family. Can you give examples of other institutions.?
Chapter 10 (p. 320) in the Cherlin text discusses three styles of parenting: authoritative style, permissive style and authoritarian style. How would you characterize Saul’s style of parenting? Miriam’s style of parenting? Do the styles seem to change through the story? Give examples to support your opinion.
Use social exchange theory to analyze Miriam and Saul’s marriage.
In class we talked about three prominent images of the family: family as a haven, family as fulfillment, and family as an encumbrance. Explain which image each of the Naumann family has. Support your answer with examples.
People don’t know about their own families because all families operate under information processing rules and mystification. Give 3 examples from the book.
Eliza Naumann has “been designated… as a student from whom great things should not be expected.” Symbolic interactionism theory is a good framework to study what have been the consequences of this expectation. Give two examples of how her family and others interact with her based on this “definition of the situation.” How does the “definition of the situation” change? Then give two examples of how her family and others interact with her based on this revised “definition of the situation.”
In class we discussed that all families have a “front-stage” and a “back-stage.” Give three examples of the Naumann’s front-stage and then give three examples of the Naumann family’s back-stage.
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