The Connections Between Family and Work

Heiligman uses the theme of "The Connections Between Family and Work" to show that it is essential in a biography of a great scientist or thinker to include their background and family life. This theme also shows the reader how biographies of men’s lives should include the impact of home on their work. Finally, this theme also proves the essential contribution of women, so often left out of biographies and history books, and how they in turn shape history.

First, Heiligman uses this theme to prove that in order to understand a great person of history, one must understand their home life. She integrates the events at home and in Charles’s work life by weaving them together metaphorically and literally. First, she shows how Charles did not just know his path right away but bounced around at different schools...