Lessons in Chemistry

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Which of Elizabeth’s struggles resonated with you most and why?
• Several characters display sexist behavior and attitudes throughout the novel. Which of these characters do you find most offensive and why?
• What was the emotional impact of Avery Parker’s revelation about her relationship to Calvin? Did that change how you understood the novel’s events in hindsight?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• The novel uses humor and irony to balance its treatment of serious themes. Which humorous or ironic moment stood out as particularly effective and why?
• How is family defined in the novel? Does the novel’s message around the meaning of family resonate with you? 
• Have you ever experienced a scenario like those that Elizabeth or Calvin face throughout the novel? If so, how did you respond?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Could Elizabeth’s story happen today? How have things changed for women in the workplace since the 1950s?
• Compare and contrast the novel to other media that feature the 1950s, such as the TV series Mad Men. How are they similar and different in their portrayal of patriarchy and gender dynamics in workplace culture?
• How have cultural and scientific views on the theory of abiogenesis evolved since the 1950s?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• The novel begins and ends in 1961, with the majority of the action taking place in the 1950s. What is the impact of this flashback narrative structure on the story?
• How do the arcs of the other female characters progress along with Elizabeth in the novel? Are they empowered and recognized for their accomplishments? How do their stories resonate thematically in the novel?
• What literary techniques does Garmus use to evoke the 1950s-1960s? Choose examples from the text and discuss why they are effective.
• What is the symbolism of food in the novel? How does it resonate with the novel’s main themes?
• How does the sexist and patriarchal culture at the Institute impact the novel’s characterization of Elizabeth and Calvin? 

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Create a recipe to present on Elizabeth’s cooking show. How would she prepare and discuss it from a scientific perspective?
• If you were a wealthy donor, what kind of scientific research would you fund and why?

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