71 pages • 2 hours read
Rebecca SklootThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Essay Topics
Why is Skloot so interested in Henrietta Lacks? What inspires her to write Henrietta’s story?
Discuss Skloot’s relationship with Deborah and the Lacks family. How does she gain their trust? Find examples of episodes which indicate that Deborah and other family members are beginning to trust Skloot.
What does the book tell us about racism in American society? Try to find examples of racism, both during Henrietta’s lifetime (1920s—1950s) and after her death (1950s—present day). Are the Lacks family now living in an equal society, or do they still experience racism?
