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Chapter 16: Labor
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
Elizabeth struggles with the relentless demands of caring for a newborn who constantly cries. She feels like she has an endless cycle of tasks, and she barely gets any sleep. During this exhausting period, Dr. Boryweitz stops by to offer a gift for the baby. He also asks for Elizabeth’s assistance. Despite her exhaustion, Elizabeth agrees to help because she needs the money. However, she unintentionally falls asleep as soon as Boryweitz departs. She dreams about Calvin and is later woken up by her neighbor, Mrs. Harriet Sloane, who comes to check on her and the crying Madeline.
Because Calvin is dead, Elizabeth has to fulfill the roles of both mother and father by herself. However, because Donatti fired her, money is hard to come by, meaning she has to help Dr. Boryweitz, even if she can barely stay awake. Notably, even on very little sleep, Elizabeth is still more intellectually capable than her colleagues from the Hastings Institute, who come to ask her for help.
Themes
At first, Elizabeth does not recognize Harriet, as they have never spoken in public. However, Harriet quickly introduces herself and offers to help with Madeline. Then, Harriet skillfully calms and changes Madeline while expressing her sympathy to Elizabeth about her situation. Harriet then offers to make coffee but is taken aback by the sight of the lab equipment in the kitchen. Elizabeth steps in and uses the intricate lab equipment to make coffee, which turns out to be the best coffee Harriet has ever tasted.
Other than Six-Thirty, Calvin was the only important figure in Elizabeth’s life, so much so that she had never met Harriet before. However, it seems that Harriet has been keeping an eye on Elizabeth and has experience with caring for children. Unlike Elizabeth, Harriet is used to playing a more traditionally feminine role, which is why the sight of Elizabeth’s “kitchen” is especially surprising.
Themes
Harriet apologizes for not visiting sooner—she assumed Elizabeth already had help. Then, she offers her contact information for future assistance. Elizabeth is reluctant to take any help, but she accepts the number. Before Harriet leaves, Elizabeth admits that she thinks she is a terrible mother because she does not feel the way she thinks she is supposed to about her child. In fact, she has wanted to give Madeline away on multiple occasions. However, Harriet assures her that such feelings are normal and that motherhood is indeed exhausting and overwhelming. If anything, Harriet thinks Elizabeth is doing a great job, given her circumstances. Before leaving, Harriet advises Elizabeth to take time for herself every day to reconnect and reaffirm her passions and priorities.
Here, the novel delves into the complicated feelings that come with motherhood. Elizabeth fears that she is a bad parent because of how she feels about Madeline, presumably because of how she has heard other mothers discuss their children. Harriet’s response indicates that much of the cultural discussion surrounding children and motherhood is disingenuous and that Elizabeth’s feelings are perfectly normal. This is a relief to Elizabeth, who fears she will end up being a terrible parent to Madeline, just as her parents were for her.
Themes
