Middlesex is about a middle-aged man, Cal Stephanides, who was born and raised a girl. Although the title suggests this book is about the middlesex of hermaphrodites, the title actually comes from the name of the Stephanides’ house in Detroit.
Three Generations of Middlesex
The story takes place over three generations beginning in Turkey and ending in Berlin. The first story follows Desdemona and Lefty, brother and sister who flee Turkey for America during the 1920’s. Desdemona and Lefty also flee their traditional sibling roles and marry on the boat to New York. Cal steps back into time and watches their lives unravel as Desdemona gives birth to two children, Milton and Zoe, and Lefty starts up an underground bar.
The next narrative follows Milton and Tess and their courtship and marriage. Tess is Milton’s cousin; however, once again, this family relationship takes a backseat to love. Tess and Milton give birth to a son, and then, after careful planning, a daughter, Calliope. Milton and Tess conform to the traditional American standards, as Milton opens a hot dog business franchise and Tess becomes the stay at home mom.
Readers know how the story will unfold. After all, Calliope eventually becomes Cal. However, the real drama comes through the realisation of this, as Calliope attends an all-girls school, begins noticing her extreme differences, meets with a new age doctor, and falls in love for the first time.
The Homeric Form
Eugenides makes it clear that the Homeric epics, the Iliad and Odyssey, inspire him. Although he does not follow a great hero such as Achilles or Odysseus, he does use the endearing Cal as his hero. Homer writes about great wars and even greater homecomings while Eugenides details the historical account of a chromosome gone wrong. He uses humour and honesty to depict the perfect epic for the new millennium.
Eugenides uses several of the epic characteristics in his story. Jeremy M Downes from Auburn University cites the following five criteria of epic poetry:
- The poet opens by stating his theme: Cal is born twice, both as a girl and then as a boy.
- Invokes the Muse to inspire and instruct him: This is done throughout the novel, in some instances as a parody in regards to the situation. Furthermore, Cal was born Calliope, the muse of poetry.
- Open his narrative in medias res (in the middle of things)- Middlesex opens with the symbolic ‘silver spoon’ episode which will later play an incredible role in his gender determination
- Includes a catalogue of warriors, ships and armies: Eugenides does not catalogue warriors, ships and armies but he does spend great detail categorizing additional items.
- Gives extended formal speeches by the main characters
- Makes frequent use of the Epic simile
Middlesex is jam packed with incredible symbolism, metaphors and foreshadowing at every corner, many of which relate to Greek mythology. You cannot turn the page without picking up a quote, a sentence or even a word that drips with double meaning.
The public has long awaited Eugenides’ second book and Middlesex was definitely worth the wait. Middlesex, by far, hits the Homeric mark of epic standards for the 21st century.
References:
Downes, Jeremy M. “Basic Definitions:Epic, Epic Formula, Epic Simile” Department of English, Auburn University. 2005. http://www.auburn.edu/~downejm/epicbasics.html
Jenna Galley - Jenna Galley currently writes for a variety of online content writing companies including GRG Freelance Solutions, Freelance Writing ...
