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Chapter 2: Pine
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
Ten years earlier, in January of 1952, Elizabeth is working with Calvin Evans at the Hastings Research Institute. By all accounts, Calvin is a genius when it comes to chemistry, having already contributed significant research to the field in his early twenties. Other than chemistry, the only thing Calvin loves and excels at is rowing. However, Calvin struggles in other areas of life, especially dating.
Based on the end of the previous chapter, it is difficult to know whether Calvin will prove a positive or negative force in Elizabeth’s life. At this point, Calvin fits the stereotype of a 1950s scientist. Though he is brilliant, his social skills are lacking, especially as they relate to women.
Themes
After studying at Cambridge, Calvin moves to Southern California and meets Elizabeth at the Hastings Research Institute, where they both work. One morning, Elizabeth enters Calvin’s office because she needs to borrow some beakers. She ignores the signs on his door saying that the office is off limits and enters anyway. Calvin is annoyed when he sees Elizabeth in his office and assumes she is a secretary. He tells her that he will not give her any beakers unless her boss gives him a call. Annoyed, Elizabeth grabs a box of beakers and leaves.
Calvin's presumption that Elizabeth is a secretary rather than a fellow scientist ruins their first interaction and reflects the prevalent gender bias in the professional world at that time. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s decision to simply ignore the signs in his office suggests that she is unwilling to accept the status quo. She treats Calvin as she would anyone else, which in this case means taking his supplies whether he likes it or not.
Themes
A few weeks later, Calvin tracks down Elizabeth and apologizes for his behavior. He also asks her out on a date, but Elizabeth rejects him. After Calvin steps away, a lab tech asks Elizabeth why she is talking to him. Elizabeth explains the situation, which surprises the lab tech. The lab tech warns her that Calvin is famous for holding grudges. He suggests that Elizabeth apologize to Calvin, so a bigger problem does not arise. Elizabeth tells the lab tech not to worry about it and that everything will be fine.
The lab tech’s warning about Calvin's tendency to hold grudges introduces an element of tension and potential conflict between Calvin and Elizabeth. Despite the advice to apologize to prevent further issues, Elizabeth’s dismissive response indicates her self-assurance in handling such situations.
Themes
The next day, Elizabeth notices that her beakers are gone because someone else in her lab took it upon themselves to return them. For some time after this incident, Elizabeth regularly hears her fellow lab techs insulting her. In particular, she hears someone imply that she only got her degree because she traded sexual favors for it. She also hears her boss, Dr. Donatti, call her a “cunt,” which shocks her.
The negative reactions from Elizabeth’s colleagues and the disrespectful treatment she endures, including the theft of her beakers and the insults about her qualifications, highlight the sexism Elizabeth faces in her work environment. Dr. Donatti’s use of a derogatory term to describe Elizabeth is especially jarring, revealing the blatant disrespect and devaluation of her character.
Themes
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Elizabeth was called the same word once before, when she was working on her PhD at UCLA. One night, while she was alone doing work in a lab, the leader of her research team, Dr. Meyers, entered the room and chastised her for double-checking work he had already completed. Everyone on Meyers’s team hated him—he was rude, arrogant, and regularly took all the credit for the work of his graduate students. However, Elizabeth put up with him because she knew he had a good reputation in the broader scientific community, and she wanted to make a name for herself.
Dr. Meyers gets angry with Elizabeth not because she is wrong, but because she dares to question him. Given that Dr. Meyers seems to take credit for the work of others—and given that Elizabeth is a great student—it seems likely she is right. However, she puts up with his abusive treatment because she thinks it is the only way for her to get ahead in the male-dominated field of chemistry.
Themes
When Elizabeth politely tried to tell Meyers that she thought she found an error in his work, he locked the door behind him and then aggressively moved toward her. Then, he slapped her hard in the face and began ripping her clothes off. Elizabeth struggled, trying to get away from Meyers, but he was too strong. Meyers raped Elizabeth as she continued to fight. Annoyed with Elizabeth’s resistance, Meyers called her a “cunt.” Eventually, Elizabeth managed to grab a pencil and stab it into Meyers’s side. In doing so, she managed to pierce his large and small intestine.
Given Elizabeth’s experience with Meyers, Dr. Donatti’s insult certainly carries an extra bite, even though it would be terrible enough anyway. Although Elizabeth is a capable young woman, here she finds herself at the hands of someone who is physically stronger than her and manages to overpower her. Although Elizabeth manages to escape Meyers’s grasp, this is a moment of significant trauma that stays with her throughout her life.
Themes
After the sexual assault, a police officer interviewed Elizabeth but did not take anything she said seriously. The office suggested that Elizabeth make a statement of regret to make herself look better in the situation. Elizabeth responded that her only regret was not having more pencils. Following the assault, the admissions committee at UCLA rescinded her admittance to the doctoral program. She left UCLA with an MA and then went to work at the Hastings Research Institute.
No one in a position of authority is willing to defend Elizabeth, so she ends up getting kicked out of UCLA. For both the police and the admissions committee, the truth seems secondary to whomever holds the most power, which in this case is Dr. Meyers. As such, Meyers’s behavior not only results in lasting trauma for Elizabeth, but it also railroads her career.
Themes
Now, the lab tech at the Hastings Institute apologizes to Elizabeth for making such a big deal about the beakers and tells her to ignore the other men’s disparaging comments. However, Dr. Donatti reassigns her to a new research project the next day, which he says is “More [her] intellectual speed.” Elizabeth accepts the new position without complaint but is internally furious that she is being punished unfairly.
The lab technician’s apology acknowledges the inappropriate behavior, yet it is superficial as the structural issue remains unaddressed. Meanwhile, Donatti’s words are a clear instance of sexism, implying that Elizabeth’s current work—which she completes with far more ease than her colleagues—is beyond her capabilities.
Themes
A few weeks later, Elizabeth goes to see an operetta, The Mikado, but decides to leave at intermission because she hates it. As luck would have it, Calvin is also there, on a date with a secretary from the Hastings Institute. Throughout the first half of the show, Calvin’s stomach feels terrible. He stands up to leave at intermission, feeling like he is going to vomit. In the theatre’s lobby, he accidentally bumps into Elizabeth, which is apparently too much for his stomach to take, because he vomits near (and partially on) Elizabeth. Elizabeth is shocked for a moment, but she quickly pulls herself together and asks if there is a doctor around. When no one comes to help, she offers to get Calvin a paper towel. It is only at that moment when she realizes that they already know each other.
The Mikado is a comic opera by Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert that satirized late nineteenth-century Britain. Although it received wide-spread acclaim at the time of its release, many contemporary scholars criticize it for its stereotypical characterizations of its Asian characters. Elizabeth's decision to leave The Mikado due to her dislike for it shows her assertiveness and refusal to conform to expectations for the sake of appearances. Meanwhile, Calvin’s decision to leave the show is completely by chance and has nothing to do with how he feels about it.
Themes
Elizabeth helps Calvin home and makes sure he is okay. She tells him that he probably just has food poisoning. Calvin apologizes repeatedly for vomiting on Elizabeth’s dress. Elizabeth tells him not to worry about it. He also apologizes again for assuming she was a secretary at work. To this, Elizabeth has no response.
Elizabeth’s immediate shift from shock to assistance demonstrates her professionalism and empathy, traits that are not recognized in her work environment. She does not respond to Calvin’s repeated apology, perhaps because she is still angry or perhaps because she is at a loss for words.
Themes
One week later, Elizabeth and Calvin discuss Elizabeth’s research interests over a cup of coffee. Elizabeth tells him that, prior to her recent assignment change, she was researching polyphosphoric acids. However, her real interest is in abiogenesis, the study of the origin of all life on earth. Calvin notes that abiogenesis is something only someone with a PhD would focus on and asks about Elizabeth’s time in academia. Elizabeth vaguely explains that she did not finish her PhD but does not elaborate.
Elizabeth's disclosure about her research interests sheds light on her academic capabilities and ambitions. Meanwhile, Calvin's remark about abiogenesis being a topic for someone with a PhD inadvertently touches on sensitive issues surrounding Elizabeth’s time at UCLA. Of course, Calvin has no idea about Elizabeth’s assault and is not attempting to open old wounds.
Themes
Calvin then asks why Elizabeth is no longer researching polyphosphoric acids, which he sees as a valuable area of study. Elizabeth responds that sexism is responsible. Calvin appears surprised by her response, which sparks a brief conversation about sexism in science. By the end of the conversation, Calvin sees Elizabeth’s point and offers to help her. At first, Elizabeth balks at the idea of getting help from Calvin, but she quickly realizes that his help would be useful in allowing her to work on polyphosphoric acids again. She accepts his helps but warns him that she will not date him, even though she secretly wants to.
Calvin’s inquiry into why Elizabeth stopped her initial research opens the door to a discussion about sexism in the scientific community. Elizabeth’s straightforward discussion of sexism reveals her awareness of the discriminatory practices that have affected her career. In sharp contrast, Calvin’s surprise suggests a lack of awareness about such issues, likely because he has never faced discrimination in his young and successful career.
Themes
