Do you have any insight as to where Lucius' fascination with medicine had its genesis? Have you ever been absorbed by a career or hobby and if so, do you know where your interest arose?

Lucius was passionate about becoming a doctor, but felt the origin of his interest was a mystery. Based on the novel's depiction of his childhood, do you have any insight as to where his fascination may have had its genesis? Have you ever been absorbed by a career or hobby and if so, do you know where your interest arose?

I thought that Lucius could be a highly gifted individual on the autism spectrum. He was not encouraged to be interested in medicine, but was drawn to it as a highly complex topic that he could devote his life to. Perhaps the disconnection he felt with his parents and their lack of enthusiasm for medicine added to the attraction? I have spent 35 plus years in the field of education, primarily gifted education. It has been and continues to be an area of great absorption. I am a quilter and am fascinated by this hobby and art form.

I agree with the above writer that his extreme fascination with medicine to the exclusion of almost anything else along with his inability to engage in small talk might be indications that he was on the spectrum.

Probably with the barbaric attempts to correct his stutter. He is a highly intelligent man with a great deal of curiosity and desire to learn about the human body. I was going to be an English teacher until I studied biology with a fabulous teacher. Then I entered college as a pre-med student. After graduation the thought of another four years of school and internship and residency was overwhelming.
So I obtained my masters in education immediately and returned to my original plan to be a teacher. For 35 years I taught everything from Middle school general sciences to chemistry and physics. But for most of those years I taught college prep biology and electives of comparative anatomy and anatomy and physiology. I never regretted my decision and was totally absorbed by my teaching and my "kids", many of whom still keep in touch, with their children and grandchildren added joys to my life.

I think his interest in medicine may have originated in part because of his stuttering and the treatment he received for it. I’m not sure if he was on the autism spectrum or if he became more isolated and withdrawn because of the stuttering.
I have always been interested in art. I was influenced greatly by a very talented grandmother. A grandmother myself now, I have a very talented granddaughter

He found his niche and was comfortable there. He had something to talk about.

I think he was just better at understanding what goes on under the skin than he was at understanding people.