Lessons in chemistry is one of those feminist books which not only highlights the struggles of women but also teach you how to be strong and independent in this misogynist society. it unfold several aspects of elizabeth’s life and her struggles in each of them. That is the beauty of feminist books. Discover the inspiring story of Elizabeth Zott, a talented chemist who becomes a TV chef while raising her child alone in the late 1950s and early 1960s.”
Feminist books
Lessons in Chemistry (2022) is a popular book by Bonnie Garmus that tells the tale of a woman’s journey to find her way in a world that often seems determined to hold her back. Follow Elizabeth’s path as she learns to balance her love of science with the demands of motherhood, all while fighting against the prejudices of her time. there are several feminist books which highlight the struggles of women and importance of their rights.
Supper at six
In November 1961, Elizabeth Zott was feeling sad as she made her daughter Madeline’s lunch for school. Elizabeth was the star of a very popular cooking show called “Supper at Six”. She got the idea for the show when she went to the KCTV television studio to complain about Walter Pine’s daughter, Amanda, who was stealing Madeline’s lunch. Walter was amazed by Elizabeth’s intelligence, beauty, and great cooking skills. He suggested that she should make a cooking show, but Elizabeth was unsure at first.
Hashtings Research institute
Almost ten years earlier, in January 1952, Elizabeth was working as a chemist at the Hastings Research Institute. She had been accepted to a doctoral program at UCLA, but her advisor, Dr. Meyers, sexually assaulted her. Elizabeth defended herself and stabbed him with a pencil. As a consequence, she lost her chance to continue with the program.
Beginning of love
While working at the Hastings Research Institute, Elizabeth met Calvin Evans, a famous chemist who mistook her for a secretary at first. Despite Elizabeth declining his date invitation, they became friends a few months later. Elizabeth faced some obstacles in her research on abiogenesis when Donatti, the head of chemistry, did not allow her to continue. Calvin stepped in to help, and they began to work together. Eventually, they fell in love, and everyone envied their relationship.
Childhood stories
As time went by, Calvin and Elizabeth shared some information about their childhoods. Elizabeth’s father was a religious scam artist who was put in jail. After that, her mother divorced him and moved to Brazil.
Elizabeth’s brother died by suicide after their parents found out he was gay and harassed him because of it. Calvin had a tough upbringing; his family died in tragic accidents, and he was raised in a boys’ home. He was adopted, but he didn’t tell Elizabeth that. The man Calvin thought was his real dad was a wealthy man who never acknowledged him but donated to the boys’ home where he was raised. Calvin only told one person about this, an old pen pal named Wakely. However, Wakely stopped writing to him after Calvin revealed he hates his father and wishes he were dead.
Bitter truths behind Calvin success
As Calvin became more famous for his work, he started receiving letters from people claiming to be his long-lost relatives. One woman wrote to him multiple times, claiming to be his mother and offering him money for his research. However, Calvin never received a letter from his father.
Elizabeth’s brother died by suicide after their parents found out he was gay and harassed him because of it. Calvin had a tough upbringing; his family died in tragic accidents, and he was raised in a boys’ home. He was adopted, but he didn’t tell Elizabeth that. The man Calvin thought was his real dad was a wealthy man who never acknowledged him but donated to the boys’ home where he was raised. Calvin only told one person about this, an old pen pal named Wakely. However, Wakely stopped writing to him after Calvin revealed he hates his father and wishes he were dead.
Six-Thirty and calvin’s death
Elizabeth and Calvin live together but don’t want to get married or have children. Instead, they adopt a dog named Six-Thirty. Calvin teaches Elizabeth how to row, and she meets Dr. Mason, the captain of the local men’s rowing team. One day, Calvin goes for a run with Six-Thirty and accidentally falls, hitting his head and dying instantly. Elizabeth is heartbroken, and she later finds out she’s pregnant with Calvin’s child. A wealthy investor is interested in funding Elizabeth’s research, but Donatti lies and says that “Mr. Zott”, who he claims is a man, is leading the project. The funds meant for Elizabeth’s work are then taken for other purposes.
Miss Frask, a secretary at Hastings, tells everyone at Hastings that Elizabeth is pregnant. This could expose Donatti’s scam, so he fires Elizabeth from her job.
After Calvin dies, Elizabeth spends all her time working or rowing. Her colleagues from Hastings start to come to her home for help with their work. Elizabeth charges them for these sessions and makes money this way. She takes apart her kitchen and builds a lab there to continue her research.
Elizabeth and rowing
Late in her pregnancy, Elizabeth finally sees Dr. Mason, an obstetrician. He surprised that Elizabeth is still rowing, but encourages her to keep doing it because it seems to be making her stronger.
Madeline is born two weeks before she’s supposed to be. Elizabeth was overwhelmed, but her neighbor Harriet Sloane helps her by checking on her and taking care of Madeline.
Struggles of Elizabeth
After Madeline turns four, Elizabeth puts her in school and returns to Hastings to ask for a job. Donatti hires Elizabeth as a lab technician, and she meets Frask again, who reveals that she was also assaulted by her advisor and kicked out of her doctoral program. Donatti steals Elizabeth’s research and publishes it as his own, causing her to quit in anger. Frask secretly hands over all of Calvin’s notebooks and unfinished work, including letters from his pen pal Wakely. Elizabeth receives a call from Walter Pine about a potential TV show and accepts it for income. The show is popular but Elizabeth clashes with the boss who tries to make her look “sexy”.
Madeline finds out that Calvin had a donor at the boys’ home and runs into Wakely, who helps her track down the home. The bishop had lied that Calvin was dead, causing the Foundation to stop funding the home. Elizabeth insults a sponsor and later has a confrontation with the boss, who tries to assault her. She stabs him with her knife, and the show gains new profitable deals. Aftewards, she interviewed by Life magazine, revealing her past, but the editor twists her story to make her seem unaccomplished.
Roth quits and writes an article focusing on Elizabeth’s scientific achievements, which Frask sends to Life. Elizabeth quits the show, but months later, the Parker Foundation makes investigations about Donatti and offers Elizabeth a job as head of chemistry. Avery Parker, Calvin’s biological mother, revealed to be the donor, and she wants to meet Madeline and be part of the family. The book ends with Elizabeth resuming her research at Hastings.
Importance of feminist books
Feminist literature aims to demonstrate the importance of treating women equally and highlights the negative effects that result when they are not. It explores topics such as relationships, career aspirations, and motherhood in great detail. This genre boldly exposes issues such as sexism, violence, and unfair standards that women face without any apology.
