Class 9_29

The novel Middlesex has proved to be an interesting and captivating read. It has been awhile since reading a novel, and it is a nice break from the traditional articles read in all classes. The book is especially interesting in the sense that it is both very connected to real life, while also varies from the traditional family story. While following Callie/Cal through her/his life, you are struck with similarities to ourselves growing up, as well as seemingly blatant clues hinting that something is wrong with Callie. Right from the beginning you can distinguish this novel from reality, with the marriage of Callie’s grandparents.

Many stories also stick out as being funny for a normal “girl”. For instance when she practices kissing with Clementine, you get a hint that Callie is not exactly a traditional girl. This novel considerably stretches the boundary of a normal childhood. For instance when she is at the Obscure Object’s vacation house, she is found making out with Jerome, while the Object is preoccupied with Rex. In a traditional society, this is thought of as normal behavior. However, Callie feels weird about the situation, as she says, “her heart is not into it”. On the other hand, she feels more comfortable with the Object and doesn’t feel awkward or wrong when she is with her at night.

Also, as she hits puberty, and her body refuses to change, you would think that her mother would do something about it. Even though Callie faked her period, I think that a mother would be able to realize the act, and take Callie to see a doctor. Also, judging from her feelings for the Obscure Object, and their affair over the summer, you would think Callie would realize something was wrong. I think it is normal for a pubescent teenager to want to have their period, and thus want to go to the doctor to figure out if something was wrong. I don’t think any child wants to feel “left out” or “fallen behind”.

The ideas in this book relate back to Lorber’s article “Night to His Day”. She discusses the social construction of gender, which we can clearly see with Callie. Even though she is biologically partially male, she was brought up as a girl, so everyone sees her as a girl. She has long hair, she shaves her legs and armpits, and she pretends to be grossed out by things, or act such as a traditional girl would. I have a feeling the consequences of these actions will surface in Book 4, when both Callie and her family must confront the fact that she is in fact a male. I think that she will start dressing and acting as a traditional male would, thus enforcing her new gender identity. Thus, in this novel I can clearly see how nurture comes before nature in a way. Because of the way she was raised, Callie fits into the “feminine” gender, and thus acts like one. Nature is somewhat disregarded until age 14. Overall, I think the novel so far has questioned nature versus nurture and caused us to question what is normal in society.