Previous
Chapter 41: Recommit
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 January of 1962, despite the acclaim of Supper at Six, Elizabeth hasn’t received any job offers from universities or research labs since leaving the show. Harriet tells Elizabeth that Hastings’ Head of Personnel, a “Miss Frask,” has called for her. Elizabeth is puzzled because she thought Frask was working for Wakely, and she cannot imagine that she would be back at Hastings. Elizabeth calls back, and after speaking with Frask’s secretary, Miss Finch, she gets through to Frask. Frask praises Elizabeth for an article that featured her on a magazine cover and urges her to come in as soon as possible with Six-Thirty, mentioning that the abiogenesis investor has reappeared, drawn by Frask’s letter in Life magazine.
The absence of job offers, despite Elizabeth’s acclaim, indicates that her public success matters little to the Dr. Donattis of the world, who do not want women like Elizabeth at their institutions. The call from Miss Frask, who is now back at Hastings, piques Elizabeth’s curiosity and offers an unexpected twist, given their prior history. Frask’s praise of Elizabeth and the mention of the abiogenesis investor’s return signal potential changes at Hastings that could involve Elizabeth.
Themes
When Elizabeth arrives at Frask’s office, she meets Miss Finch, who is starstruck. Miss Finch asks Elizabeth to autograph her copy of Vogue, which features Elizabeth on its cover with the title “Why Their Minds Matter.” Harriet sent Roth’s unpublished article to Vogue but lost hope after months of silence. Yet, the article was eventually published. Frask then leads Elizabeth and Six-Thirty to Calvin’s former lab, where the investor, Wilson, and Avery Parker are waiting. They warmly welcome Elizabeth and offer her a chance to resume her abiogenesis research at Hastings.
Elizabeth’s encounter with Miss Finch is a reminder of her celebrity status and the impact her Vogue article has made. The article's publication, despite Harriet’s initial doubts, indicates the recognition of Elizabeth’s work and what it has meant to women across the country. Finally, it seems things are beginning to look up for Elizabeth, as Wilson and Avery Parker appear to be offering her a chance to start over at Hastings.
Themes
However, Elizabeth declines the offer because she does not wish to work at Hastings. As she prepares to leave, Donatti enters, surprised to see Elizabeth, Frask, and Avery. Wilson, now Frask’s lawyer, informs Donatti that he is being fired due to Frask’s Life magazine letter, which prompted the Foundation to investigate and uncover his wrongdoings. The Foundation, now a majority shareholder in Hastings, has appointed Frask as Head of Personnel and offers Elizabeth Donatti’s former position as Director of Chemistry.
Elizabeth’s refusal to return to Hastings demonstrates her unwillingness to be associated with an institution that previously wronged her. However, she begins to feel differently after Donatti's termination, which is a moment of poetic justice. The exposure of Donatti's misconduct, largely due to Frask’s letter in Life magazine, is a start to rectifying past injustices.
Themes
As Avery hands Donatti his termination notice, she suggests that the decision on his employment should be made by someone familiar with his work. Elizabeth, after a moment’s consideration, hands Donatti a pen and tells him he has to leave his job because he is not smart enough.
Elizabeth’s delivery of the pen to Donatti, mirroring his earlier condescension, is a reversal of roles. Although Elizabeth intends to be ironic, there is some truth in what she says, as Donatti repeatedly proved himself incapable of running the institute.
Themes
Get the entire Lessons in Chemistry LitChart as a printable PDF.
