In the captivating novel “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus, we’re introduced to the unique and inspiring journey of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist in the 1960s—an era not particularly welcoming to women in science.
Elizabeth, a character who challenges societal norms and expectations, navigates her way through professional hurdles, personal struggles, and societal biases, all while raising her daughter and inadvertently becoming a TV cooking show star. This story isn’t just about chemistry in the literal sense, but also about the chemistry of life, relationships, and societal change.
For those who’ve already dived deep into the world of Elizabeth Zott with us, you might remember our detailed exploration in the ‘Lessons in Chemistry summary‘ post. We also discussed thought provoking questions about the themes of the novel in the ‘Lessons in Chemistry Book Club Questions‘ post. Now, it’s time to focus on another enriching aspect of this novel—the quotes.
Bonnie Garmus, through her sharp and insightful writing, offers a treasure trove of quotes in “Lessons in Chemistry” that are not only thought-provoking but also reflective of the novel’s spirit.
Each quote, in its own right, sheds light on different facets of life, be it courage, self-empowerment, societal norms, education, parenthood, or the roles and perceptions of women. They resonate not just within the context of the story, but also echo in our real lives, offering perspectives that challenge, inspire, and sometimes amuse.
Lessons in Chemistry Quotes
Let’s dive into some of these remarkable quotes from Lessons in Chemistry:
1. “Whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change – and change is what we’re chemically designed to do.”― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
2. “So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion.”― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
3. “Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what YOU will change. And then get started.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
4. “Imagine if all men took women seriously. Education would change. The workforce would revolutionize. Marriage counsellors would go out of business. Do you see my point?” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
5. “Some things needed to stay in the past because the past was the only place they made sense.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
6. “Every day she found parenthood like taking a test for which she had not studied. The questions were daunting and there wasn’t nearly enough multiple choice.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
7. “Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun,” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
8. “No surprise. Idiots make it into every company. They tend to interview well.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
9. “As humans, we’re by-products of our upbringings, victims of our lackluster educational systems, and choosers of our behaviors.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
10. “Because while stupid people may not know they’re stupid because they’re stupid, surely unattractive people must know they’re unattractive because of mirrors.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
11. “The librarian is the most important educator in school. What she doesn’t know, she can find out.”― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
12. “Chemistry is change and change is the core of your belief system. Which is good because that’s what we need more of – people who refuse to accept the status quo, who aren’t afraid to take on the unacceptable.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
13. “Refuse to allow the bad thing to define you. Fight it.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
14. “Humans need reassurance, they need to know others survived in hard times. And unlike other species which do a better job of learning from their mistakes, humans require constant threats and reminders to be nice.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
15. “When one is raised on a steady diet of sorrow, it’s hard to imagine that others might have had an even larger serving.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
16. “In short, the reduction of women to something less than men, and the elevation of men to something more than women, is not biological: it’s cultural. And it starts with two words: pink and blue. Everything skyrockets out of control from there.” Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
17. “While we may be born into families, it doesn’t necessarily mean we belong to them.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
18. “It’s just that we tend to treat pregnancy as the most common condition in the world—as ordinary as stubbing a toe—when the truth is, it’s like getting hit by a truck. Although obviously a truck causes less damage.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
19. “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.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
20. “For Elizabeth, cooking wasn’t some preordained feminine duty. As she’d told Calvin, cooking was chemistry. That’s because cooking actually is chemistry.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
21. “We both know food is the catalyst that unlocks our brains, binds our families, and determines our futures.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
22. “she, like so many other women, assumed that downgrading someone of her own sex would somehow lift her in the estimation of her male superiors.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
23. “Having a baby, Elizabeth realized, was a little like living with a visitor from a distant planet. There was a certain amount of give and take as the visitor learned your ways and you learned theirs, but gradually their ways faded and your ways stuck. Which she found regrettable. Because unlike adults, her visitor never tired of even the smallest discovery; always saw the magic in the extraordinary.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
24. “I’m thinking you might enjoy Moby-Dick. It’s a story about how humans continually underestimate other life-forms. At their peril.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry
Final thoughts
In conclusion, “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus is a powerful commentary on life, change, and the societal constructs we navigate daily. The quotes from this novel are insightful reflections that challenge us to think, grow, and possibly even reshape our perspectives. As educators, readers, or anyone navigating the complexities of life, these quotes offer a rich resource for contemplation and discussion. They remind us of the transformative power of literature and the enduring impact of a well-told story on our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.