Lessons in Chemistry is an engaging overcoming-obstacles novel about a female chemist's campaign for professional credibility and for women's rights in general during the middle of the Twentieth Century. Along the way she also grows as a parent and learns that she too sometimes prejudges others. Even if you don't always like some of the primary characters (I didn't), this book is worth reading because the story addresses important issues, has secondary characters with depth, and makes you want to stand up and cheer for the heroine. Early in the novel, Elizabeth Zott (the chemist) tells her boyfriend Calvin, also a chemist,
"One thing I've learned, Calvin: people will always yearn for a simple solution to their complicated problems. It's a lot easier to have faith in something you can't see, can't touch, can't explain, and can't change, rather than to have faith in something you actually can," She sighed. "One's self, I mean." She tensed her stomach. They lay silently, both wading in the misery of their pasts." (Lessons in Chemistry, p 39).
Elizabeth's story has little to do with prayer. Only once in the book is there a very brief hint of prayer, and it is almost an involuntary reaction as she advocates her hope for another character – to God. Elizabeth, you see, considers herself an atheist. Her exhalation of prayer (?) occurs after conversations with a clergyman who had corresponded years before with her now-deceased boyfriend, but more as a result of observing his integrity and honesty in expressing his own doubts rather than from any attempt to convert her. His subplot, as is the case with some other secondary characters in the book, concerns how religious faith morphs into action in life, whether in positive or negative forms. Elizabeth's attitude towards religion in general, and Christianity in particular, caused me to ponder just how my actions or words may skew others' perceptions of God, Jesus, and Christianity.
Elizabeth's story has much to do with how women were, and often still are, viewed and treated at home, in universities, in churches, and in workplaces. She chafes at her limitations, and protests the abuses that she suffers, but emerges from her own self-doubt to survive, to thrive, and to inspire others, especially women, but also men, to effect positive change through intentional action.
While considering Elizabeth's story, I thought of another woman whose story emerges only briefly in the biblical book of Luke. Anna, like Elizabeth, had lost her mate. Anna had been a widow for many years. Luke writes that "she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying" (Luke 2:37). She had faith in one she could not see. But then that changed. A young couple came to the temple to consecrate their newborn son. They first encountered a man named Simeon, who said some remarkable things about the child. Then they met Anna, whom Luke calls a prophet:
"Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38).
Anna's story has much to do with prayer, but also about what she did when she perceived that her prayers had been answered. Simeon, who had spoken to the child's parents just before her, had been awaiting the arrival of God's Messiah. Like Simeon, Anna realized that this baby, Jesus, was that Messiah. She reacted by celebrating, thanking God. She reacted by advocating; she "spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." The prophet Anna proclaimed the good news (gospel) about Jesus in the temple to others who waiting for the coming of the Messiah.
Characters in the novel refused to accept Elizabeth Zott as a chemist because she was a woman. People still try to ignore Anna as a prophet, just as they ignore that Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and the wife of Isaiah are called prophets in the Old Testament. Anna prayed and fasted as she waited for the Messiah. Then, when she saw him, she prayed in gratitude to God and then told others about who he was and what that meant. She was one of the very first to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. She had the courage to act on her faith in One whom now she had seen. Her example encourages you and me to follow her in telling others about Christ. Pray hard, live well, and speak courageously, my friends.
• Quotes from the Bible are from the New International Version.
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