Henrietta Lacks Journal Questions 15
A. “Prologue: The Woman in the Photograph”
1. How does the author create an interest in learning more about the story of Henrietta Lacks?
2. How well does the author provide the reader with a sense of what this book is about?
B. “Deborah’s Voice”
1. What is your impression of Deborah, given this brief excerpt? How does the author shape that impression?
C. Chapter 1: “The Exam” (1951)
1. What does this chapter suggest to you about Henrietta Lacks’ ability to understand and make informed decisions about her treatment at the clinic?
2. How would you describe Henrietta’s attitudes towards medical care?
3. What does the term “Jim Crow era” mean?
D. Chapter 2: “Clover” (1920-1942)
1. What do you think of the description of Henrietta’s childhood years in Clover?
2. What is your impression of Henrietta after reading this chapter?
3. What are your thoughts about the employment opportunities for black men at Sparrows Point?
E. Chapter 3: “Diagnosis and Treatment” (1951)
1. What is your impression of medical understanding and treatment of cervical cancer in 1951?
2. Do you believe Dr. TeLinde’s research was important and justified?
3. What are your thoughts on using radium to treat cancer when it is also a cause of cancer?
4. Read the Operation Permit that Henrietta signed. Do you think it gave the hospital the right to take tissue from her for research purposes? Do you think Henrietta was able to understand what she was signing?
F. Chapter 4: “The Birth of HeLa” (1951)
1. What is your impression of Dr. Gey? What evidence of his dedication to his work is given in this chapter?
2. Why did Dr. Gey give samples of the HeLa cells to his colleagues?
3. What are your thoughts on the issue of sterile procedures in the lab, given the descriptions of the lab in this chapter?
G. Chapter 5: “Blackness Be Spreadin All Inside” (1951)
1. How well do you think Henrietta understood her illness? Her treatment?
2. Why was Henrietta surprised to learn that she could not have children? Do you
1. How does the author create an interest in learning more about the story of Henrietta Lacks?
2. How well does the author provide the reader with a sense of what this book is about?
B. “Deborah’s Voice”
1. What is your impression of Deborah, given this brief excerpt? How does the author shape that impression?
C. Chapter 1: “The Exam” (1951)
1. What does this chapter suggest to you about Henrietta Lacks’ ability to understand and make informed decisions about her treatment at the clinic?
2. How would you describe Henrietta’s attitudes towards medical care?
3. What does the term “Jim Crow era” mean?
D. Chapter 2: “Clover” (1920-1942)
1. What do you think of the description of Henrietta’s childhood years in Clover?
2. What is your impression of Henrietta after reading this chapter?
3. What are your thoughts about the employment opportunities for black men at Sparrows Point?
E. Chapter 3: “Diagnosis and Treatment” (1951)
1. What is your impression of medical understanding and treatment of cervical cancer in 1951?
2. Do you believe Dr. TeLinde’s research was important and justified?
3. What are your thoughts on using radium to treat cancer when it is also a cause of cancer?
4. Read the Operation Permit that Henrietta signed. Do you think it gave the hospital the right to take tissue from her for research purposes? Do you think Henrietta was able to understand what she was signing?
F. Chapter 4: “The Birth of HeLa” (1951)
1. What is your impression of Dr. Gey? What evidence of his dedication to his work is given in this chapter?
2. Why did Dr. Gey give samples of the HeLa cells to his colleagues?
3. What are your thoughts on the issue of sterile procedures in the lab, given the descriptions of the lab in this chapter?
G. Chapter 5: “Blackness Be Spreadin All Inside” (1951)
1. How well do you think Henrietta understood her illness? Her treatment?
2. Why was Henrietta surprised to learn that she could not have children? Do you