Henrietta Lacks Essay

Henrietta Lacks, a woman of many aliases, yet without a voice. Lacks suffered throughout her time past the diagnosis of her cervical cancer. So many people wanted to know more about her cells, without realizing where they came from. The cells came from a woman, whose strength was like no other. Not only did Henrietta suffer - she had a husband and children - all who wanted to see their loved one recover. Throughout the novel, Skloot exemplifies the theme of strength to show the person behind the scientific discovery, provide perspective of the Lacks’ connection to Henrietta, and emphasize troubles after the loss of a parent.

Henrietta’s cells were like a goldmine to the researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Consequently, the researchers

Day, her husband, was one of the few who knew about her cancer. Cancer during this generation was unheard of and unspoken for; when Henrietta revealed the details to her husband, he had many concerns. Closer to her death, Day, along with his cousins, encountered Henrietta in massive pain. They didn’t understand much about her health until this moment. At this time, “They didn’t realize she was dying. They thought the doctors were still trying to cure her” (Skloot, 2010, p. 65). Imagine being in Day’s position, finally realizing that your wife’s final days are near. The amount of strength one must have to absorb this information without appearing heartbroken. Skloot highlights Day’s endurance throughout Henrietta’s suffering - especially during a decade when emotion was meant to be feminine. She is able to descriptively display the cancer from Day’s point of view; Skloot also shows how it affects the family’s dynamic in the

Henrietta was a caring mother to her children and they relied on her. When she left their lives, an empty space resided in the household and led to the children experiencing traumatic times, primarily abuse. Joe and Deborah, Henrietta’s children, were the major victims of the abuse. Joe suffered physical abuse and Deborah suffered sexual abuse. These traumatizing moments led to the children becoming numb to the pain and fearful of telling anyone. Bobette, wife of Lawrence (Henrietta’s child), approached Deborah about the abuse. Despite this, Deborah was reluctant because, “Deborah never told anyone - she was afraid she’d get in trouble” (Skloot, 2010, p. 114). Skloot was able to provide perspective for the kids; she showed how the absence of a parent affects a family more than one assumes. Their experience isn’t synonymous with every experience with loss of a parent - nevertheless, it shouldn’t be ignored. A loss of a parent affects a child in more ways than one and provides entry of