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Chapter 25: The Average Jane
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
Two weeks into the broadcast, Walter is completely worn out. Despite his exhaustion, Elizabeth keeps insisting on changing the kitchen set. She also ignores the cue cards, weaving scientific facts into her cooking segments instead. In an effort to show her how dull her approach is, Walter introduces a live audience, hoping it will push her toward a more engaging style.
Walter likes Elizabeth, but he also wants to keep his job, and he feels like Supper at Six might be the end of him. Still, so far, the show has been allowed to continue, and Walter sees an opportunity to improve it by adding a live audience.
Themes
Contrary to Walter's expectations, Elizabeth starts her show by decluttering the kitchen set, handing out most of the items to the audience. While preparing a spinach casserole, she educates the audience about the health benefits of spinach and comparing cooking to chemistry. She encourages her viewers to be adventurous in the kitchen and concludes the show with her memorable line: “Children, set the table. Your mother needs a moment to herself.”
Here, Elizabeth finds a way to personalize her set while also making the show entertaining for her audience. She also remains steadfast in making sure her show speaks to women and acknowledges the hard work they do to maintain their domestic spaces. As usual, she does not care about the consequences her bosses—who are men—might have in mind for her.
Themes
During the taping, Walter is so overwhelmed that he imagines his own funeral. He’s brought back to reality by his secretary and Elizabeth, who notice him slumped over with a racing heart. Elizabeth offers him the spinach casserole she just prepared. Despite his initial reluctance due to Amanda’s dislike for spinach, he takes it home. Contrary to what he assumed, Amanda ends up loving the casserole, calling it the best dish she’s ever had.
Walter is not threatened by Elizabeth’s feminism or how she conducts herself. However, he is scared of Lebensmal, who does find Elizabeth’s behavior threatening and unacceptable. While Elizabeth may feel like she has done a great thing, Walter worries that both of their children might go hungry if their parents lose their jobs.
Themes
