Henrietta Chapter 1-2

Chapter 1&2
"She led her through a door to a colored-only exam room" -This quote shows how Henrietta was segregated in the hospital. A hospital is suppose to give equal attention and medical care to everyone and not just a specific race. This explains why Henrietta didn't like going to hospital and probably why she always kept her problems to herself. She wants to avoid going to the hospital since she is seen as a different patient and doesn't want to feel even more segregated from society.

"No one could have guessed she'd spend the rest of her life with Day-first as a cousin growing up in their grandfather's home, then as his wife." -This quote reveals a lot about Henrietta's family and their lifestyle. Henrietta lived with her cousins during her childhood and didn't see marrying relatives was wrong. Henrietta ends up having a family with her cousin which can give mutations. 

"Either her doctors had missed it during her last exams--which seemed possible--or it had grown at a terrifying rate".-Henrietta's tumor is developing quickly which is very tragic. Her doctors could have not treated or seen it on purpose due to Henrietta's race. At that time, medical technology was not as advanced and maybe the doctors couldn't find anything wrong with Henrietta. Henrietta's cells soon became very important in the medical field. 

 "They agreed Henrietta would stay behind to care for the children and the tobacco."-Henrietta had to be a mother to her child and suffer from tumors. Henrietta had a hard life as a mother since she was left alone by Day and was suffering from sickness. Henrietta is shown as a strong independent woman due to her marriage with Day.

"When Crazy Joe found out Henrietta was going to marry Day, he stabbed himself in the chest with an old dull pocketknife."-This shows how much Joe loved Henrietta. Although all three of them were cousins, they didn't see anything wrong with having relationships with each other. This shows their lifestyle and their viewings on family. 

Review Questions:
1. Why do you think Henrietta don't want to go see the doctors?

2. Do you believe it was wrong for Henrietta to marry her cousin?

3.If you were in Henrietta's situation, would you have left Day with the children?

4.Do you think Henrietta feels threatened or intimidated when she enters the hospital?

5. During this time period, do you think Henrietta would ever get treated as if she was a white patient?