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Summary
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Lessons in Chemistry, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Gender Inequality
Science vs. Religion
Overcoming Tragedy and Trauma
Family
Summary
Analysis
In 1961, Elizabeth Zott lives in Southern California with her daughter Madeline. The women’s movement is on the horizon but has not occurred yet, and most women have yet to join the workforce. However, Elizabeth is ahead of her time, and she regularly encourages Madeline to outperform her male classmates, regardless of the social cost. Elizabeth knows Madeline is special because she is reading Dickens at age five, putting her far ahead of her peers. However, Madeline does not want to stand out, so when she goes to school, she pretends to be less mature than she is. Every day after school, Madeline waits for Elizabeth to come home from her television show she hosts, Supper at Six.
The early 1960s was a time when second-wave feminism was emerging, yet the full force of this cultural shift was still on the horizon. In the context of the era, Elizabeth is portrayed as a progressive and somewhat anachronistic figure, challenging the norms that defined women's roles in society. Elizabeth’s encouragement of her daughter to excel academically and to outperform male classmates is a direct challenge to the gender expectations of the time.
Themes
