The Periodic Table: A Comparative Analysis

Non-Chemical Bonding in “Hydrogen”, “Iron”, and “Cerium”

Despite the strong dominance of science in The Periodic Table, Primo Levi manages to write a compelling and moving novel about love and friendship, while simultaneously exploring the intricate world of chemistry. Friendship and chemistry? One might ask themselves what correlation these two contrasting, yet essential aspects of life might have between one another. Through complex chapters such as “Hydrogen”, “Iron”, and “Cerium”, it is revealed that the profound friendships one contructs, regardless of how momentary they might be, have the power to move hearts and touch lives. The elements of the Periodic Table are constantly forming bonds with one another, whether they are covalent,
The thesis of the article is that friendship does a lot more than making one feel good; friends are essential to maintaining mental health, in ways that are constantly changing in each different phase of life. Kay writes about three pairs of women, all aged decades apart, and their friendships with one another. “Through laughter and tears, they came to see that a bond they cherish, but take almost for granted, had worked in ways they'd never fully realized” (Kay 2). The friendship of Maya Bashour and Jennifer-Lee Thomas, both in their early twenties, who met while studying the same program at Concordia University, was the first one explored in this article. From the description of the girls, it becomes evident that they are complete opposites, but “their affinity is evident in the trusting glances and frequent giggles that punctuate our talk” (2). The two young girls talk about the different events they experienced together, including the “near- Thelma & Louise” adventure they decided to go on one Thursday night, hopping in the car and driving straight to Boston simply because they felt like it. Maya states that, before meeting Jennifer, she would have never had the nerve to do such a crazy thing and that she has been influenced by Jennifer's adventurous style. Having never been exposed to an “Oprah
With the help of his love for chemistry, Primo Levi manages to portray that perhaps the most important bondings are not covalent or ionic, that maybe the most essential type is the sentimental and corporeal bonding in one's life. In the article, Linda Kay successfully proves that friendship serves as a key for mental health, while having the ability to gain even more importance than the family one grows up with. Similiar interests and opposite personalities are the two aspects which brought Primo Levi and his friend Enrico together, and is coincidentally what formed the strong connection shared by Maya Bashour and Jennifer-Lee Thomas. Like Sandro did for Primo Levi, Jennifer positively influenced Maya to be more adventurous and taught her to not be afraid of taking risks in life. Finally, the hardships and worries which encompass Levi and Alberto while in Auschwitz act as a connection which helped develop a trust and friendship that united them both. Though not connected by the desperation of survival and the constant fear of death, Sharon Kelly and Marilyn Laurin also developed a friendship based on the difficulties and burdens they share. In the end, both Primo Levi and Linda Kay, though through vastly different pieces of writing, successfully accomplish to prove this: