Please read the first three chapters of Henrietta Lacks and post a
response to the material in the comments section below. Feel free to
comment on any chapter or section of a chapter that you found
particularly interesting, relatable, or relevant to the essay topic.
Charlotte Pouncy
ReplyDeleteThis book is alot less boring then i wouldve imagined. I thought it was interesting, the thought of someone's cells living on years and years after death. In my opinion, it was very wrong of them to use her cells without her and her families knowledge. What interested me the most was henrietta's story. It was the fact that she had an std, and it seemed to be mentioned in the book as if it wasnt taken very seriously; at least thats the vibe i got from it. I never really thought people contracted things like that back then; and to think, she knew her husband was cheater, and she stayed with him. Ill admit, i dont often read books like this, but stds caused by infidelity is definately not something you hear about very often, coming from that time era.
Henrietta was a strong person. From the moment she found out she had cancer she went on with her life as if everything was alright. Most people, when hearing horrible news about their health would usually lean on family and friends to support them while going through such an emotional and painful time in their life. What I found intriguing, was that Henrietta kept her cancer from everyone because she didn't want them to worry. My grandma passed away four years ago from lung cancer, and we didn't even have a clue she was sick until the day that we went to visit her in the hospital. She knew for a long time that she had cancer (come to find out) but she was the type of person to put others before herself and didn't want us to worry. What I got from this was that Henrietta was an strong person with a lot of heart, and for me it really shaped her character.
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ReplyDeleteI've honestly never enjoyed reading, I only read when it is assigned, however this book actually is great. It makes me want to keep reading and reading. What is great about the book is how it is detailed. I believe Henrietta's live is difficult because she manages to work on the field even with her sickness. She is such a strong women because she knows something is wrong but she manages to keep her cancer to herself and not share it with her family.
DeleteEven by reading the prologue it got me interested to know more about the story of Henrietta Lacks. She went through a lot with her sickness and still kept working to support. It was interesting to find out the relationships with her family members and the type of experiences she had by the description the author gives.She was a good mother and wife. Henrietta obviously thought of her family to do whatever she can to provide and stay positive ,she did not want her family to be concerned and dread about her sickness.
ReplyDeleteI found chapter two interesting because it made me visualize how hard Henrietta's life was.The part that i found shocking was when Henrietta and her siblings had to be divided throughout different family members. Yea it was hard raising many kids but they should have stuck together as a family, but they had no choice because there mother died.I found this section common to the problems my Grandparents had. They raised seven Kids in Mexico.When it was time to look for a better opportunity and live a better life , they had to come to the U.S. But having so many kids they could not all just come at once so they separated throughout different family members.
ReplyDeleteThis book is very interesting to me and I very much and enjoy reading the book. But what I found most interesting is how Day and Henrietta are related and still get married. They had a child very young and had many more after. I feel as though the reason of them falling in love and having kids is because they were always together and never really had an oppurtuity to meet other people because of them dropping out of school at a very young age and having to go work on their grandpas tobacco farm. They only knew each other and were already comfortable with each other and kept it that way.
ReplyDeleteI just to think in that time era it was okay to date or marry your relatives without being treated differently. But in our time era if two relatives did that it's unusual.
Victor Santiago
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating to find out that many vaccines or cures were discovered thanks to this woman cells(Henrietta). it was interesting to read about her life, the way she grew up and the difficulties she went through in her life especially during that time. Henrietta, without knowing, made a contribution to the world. it is fascinating to think that many lives were save and are being save thanks to her cells.
Gabriela Cuevas
ReplyDeleteI found it fascinating that Henrietta's cells were a cause of the medical revolution and a multimillion- dollar industry. What really bothered me after reading the first three chapters of the book was that they took the samples of Henrietta's cells without her consent. I found that as a violation of her privacy. I was also really bothered by the fact that her family was not told about the medical breakthroughs that were occurring because of Henrietta's cells.It made me think that Wharton took advantage of that and didnt even give her family any very needed benefits from it.
So far, the novel has been very astonishing. The part that stayed in my mind while reading the other chapters was that Henrietta had children with her own cousin. I mean it is understandable because it was just basically family where they lived but maybe she could have looked somewhere else for a man. Something else that stood out to me was how she checked herself to see what was making her have pain. I don't understand why she did not go when she first started having pain. But thanks to her and her cells, we now have so many cures for illness and many other things.
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ReplyDeleteKaren Villasenor
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that really stand out from the book is the fact that Rebecca Skloot is really dedicated and passionate about Henrietta's story. The author mentions she would stare at Henrietta's picture for years trying to figure out who she really was and what kind of life she had. I think it's amazing how after many years of hearing about HeLa's cells in her biology class she managed to learn more about her and even become good friends with Deborah--Henrietta's daughter.
The novel is very interesting and addicting to read. Could keep reading it and not stop. the first three chapters caught my attention because it amazed me, how back in those days, they married with in the family and wont get looked at in a funny way. Now if you do that people see you in a different way and judge. At that time segregation was still happening. When Henrietta lacks went to the doctor they took her to the "black" section. Segregation didn't stop until about 1964. there free time is some what similar t our free time. we go out to parties, they went out to dances. we played board games they played them as well. we snuck out at times they did that as well. so there childhood freedom is similar to ours. Made me upset that blacks would grow tobacco just like whites but didn't sell much like them, also when they would stay over night in town the blacks had to share the basement like, and sleep on the floor; well the whites got the top floor and partied and all that. what confused me is when it said " any cousins that stayed behind in clover knew a wagon ride into south Boston meant treats for everyone" what did that mean?
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ReplyDeleteIf I could describe this book so far in one word, it would be bittersweet. It was interesting to read how determined Rebecca Skloot was when it came to finding out who Henrietta Lacks really was. My favorite part so far has to be "Deborah's Voice". After I got through reading all three chapters, I thought about what Deborah said and it changed my perspective on the doctors. It wasn't fair how Henrietta's cells saved lives all over and her family still continued to struggle. Right off the back, it shows how strong of a person Henrietta is. I think if she knew her cells were going to be taken and used to help people she would have been very happy. I mean who wouldn't be happy knowing they've saved a persons life?
ReplyDeleteI found this book to be very good because its about a subject that seems a little controversial. I found it interesting how during Henrietta Lacks' time segregation was around and even though she was black, the doctors still used her cells for research. To me it was unfair how only when they(white people during the 1940's) needed black peoples help for research now their skin tone doesn't matter. What I also found fascinating is how her cells are immortal, I never even knew that was possible and even more that her cells have helped save lives which I think she would be happy about. The only "but" I found in the book was that it was not in chronological order, but then again it is not that bad because it keeps me more focused and alert on what I am reading
ReplyDeleteI read the first couple pages of this book & became hooked. This book is bitterwsweet. My favorite chapter so far is chapter 2. It goes into such detail about Henritta's life and everything she struggled. Henritta is such a strong woman after losing her mother at such an early age and having to move with her grandfather, then being bullied for going to a colored school. It also amazes me how Henritta knew that she had cancer after her cousins tried convincing her she didn't have cancer.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the summary of the whole story of Henrietta Lacks, I became interested in knowing about her and how her cells made a revolution in the world of medicine. After reading the first 3 chapters I think that this is an interesting book, but it's not the type of book I would prefer to read.. Overall it was a good and well detailed story, and my only complain would be that the book went too much into details when describing what happened in the hospital. I think it was not appropriate that they were experimenting on her cells without letting her know but I don't think it was a big deal since they were just trying to prevent more people from suffering from cancer.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'd like to start off saying that Chapter 2 was very much astounding from what I read in the book. The part of chapter 2 that really caught my attention was when the doctor was mentioning all the times Henrietta Lacks was denied of treatment of past medical issues and problems. There was very much an issue with racial discrimination during the time Henrietta Lacks was alive and most of the denials for treatment and follow-ups probably had the reason for discrimination behind it and it makes me think that so many people of different ethnic backgrounds have it way better now than what it was back then during her time. Ethics have improved over the decades, but there is still much more that we have to work on and improve especially in the medical field to this current day.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading this book. Henrietta Lacks is a great story about a strong woman who is fighting for her life without anyone knowing about it. When she receives the news she has cervical cancer she is calm and goes on with her day. I was surprised she doesn't bother to give anyone, not even her husband the bad news. If my mom or anyone important in my life had a life threatening disease I would accompany them to their appointments and be their support system when the going gets hard. Henrietta didn't want anyone to worry about her so she kept it to herself.
ReplyDeleteleo milanes
ReplyDeleteHenrietta had to go through allot while growing up. Losing your mother at such a young age and then being separated from your siblings must of been the hardest thing.
Victoria Herrera
ReplyDeleteAt first this book wouldn't be my first choice, but after reading the three chapters I realized what an amazing book it is and why the story of Henrietta Lacks is important. The life journey that Herniate went through was sad but I think that's what mad her such a strong women. I thought it was weird how her family thought it was fine for Henrietta marrying her own cousin.
Henrietta Lacks from reading these 3 chapters tells you why she is a strong and caring person. All her life she had to care for others and had to take on grown up responsibilities; she grow up fast.She never wanted people to worry about her, so she always stayed positive and showed no sign of fear. She would take something negative in her life and make it into something positive. This book so far is very interesting.
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