Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus

 

Characters
Elizabeth Zott (raped by advisor at UCLA) Calvin Evans – deceased Madeline - daughter Six-Thirty – dog   Zott family: Father – in jail, killed three people during a “miracle” Mother – in Brazil, no contact Brother – raised Elizabeth, suicide   Evans family: Avery Parker – biological mother, was told he died Adopted parents – killed in train wreck Aunt – killed in car crash   Harriet Sloan – neighbor and babysitter Husband – abusive   Mrs. Mudford – teacher   Amanda Pine – school with Madeline, Walter’s daughter   Franklin Roth – reporter for “Life”, article about Elizabeth rewritten   Reverand Wakely – pen pal with Calvin	Hastings Research Institute
	Calvin   Elizabeth   Miss Frisk – in Personnel, eventually the head (raped by advisor in school)   Donatti – head of lab, stole Elizabeth’s work and published under his name   Boryweitz – Elizabeth’s lab mate, co-authored with Donatti
	Supper at Six
	Phil Lebensmal – head of station   Walter Pine – director of show   Rosa -make-up   Seymour Browne – security   Mrs. George Ellis – audience, “Marjorie”

 

For Discussion:

1.      Would you have watched Supper at Six?

2.      Did or do you watch afternoon TV?  What were or are your favorite shows?

3.      Why do you think rowing was such an important part of the novel?

4.      Discuss the characters, including Six-Thirty.  They all were important to the story line.  What did they add?  Who did you particularly connect with?

5.      Why did station director, Lebensmal, suppress the popularity of the show?  Did you like what finally happened to him?

6.      Do you remember a time when women were known by their husband’s name?

7.      Mrs. Mudford assigned students to research and draw their family tree.  Do you think this would be assigned today?

8.      Did you understand why Elizabeth and Calvin never married?  Do you think they would have married if they knew about Madeline?

9.      Elizabeth blamed herself for Calvin’s death.  Did you understand her reasoning?

10. What were your favorite parts of the novel?

11. Why has this book been so popular?  How do you think different generations of women will read and understand the book?