Middlesex+4B

Group Members:
Isabel C Evan D  Natalie A  J e r i E .



//**__Agenda__**// What was your first general impression of the book? After reading the book, what were your impressions?
 * Intoductions**

How well do you think Cal is able to grow into himself? What are signs of this development? What do you think his preference would be in regards to gender, if he had the option? Do you think Tessie and Milton could have done something differently to prevent Callie from running away? How much are they at fault for this? Discuss how the story of Cal and Julie is aligned with the narration of Cal's history, and how the two mirror each other allegorically. Why is business and the status of employment of male characters in the novel something that is so prevalent? What is the climax of the story?
 * Plot**:

Who was your favorite character? Who was your least favorite character? Discuss the significance of the brief yet important appearances of the following characters: Father Mike The Obscure Object Clementine Jerome Bob Presto Chapter Eleven Jimmy Zizmo
 * Characters:**

Would the story about the hermaphrodite have been the same without the additional love stories about Lefty and Desdemona and Tessie and Milton? Are they allegorical? How? Does Cal have any foils?

The novel takes place over a series of different locations throughout the story. How does each location contribute to the plot's development? -Greece -Detroit, Michigan -Middlesex, Michigan -Berlin, Germany -San Francisco, California This story takes place in a pretty recent time period? Had Cal been born in an early decade of the 20th century, how would the story have differed?
 * Setting**:

The novel explores love in many unconventional forms, defying sexual norms. What are some examples of this, and how do you think they contribute to the novel as a whole? The concept of nature vs. nurture is one that is addressed through the incidents in the novel. Judging by how this is portrayed in Middlesex, how do you think Jeffrey Eugenides feels about nature vs. nurture? How do you feel about it? What role does religion and fate play in the novel? Are there any other themes? If you had to chose one, what do you think is the central theme?
 * Themes**:

What are the most prevalent symbols/motifs in the novel? What significance do those symbols/motifs hold? What historical events are apparent in the story, and how do they contribute?
 * Images/Symbols/Figurative Language:**

Discuss Jeffrey Eugenides' general writing style. How does the point of view of the main character, told from multiple perspectives of different places in time, help shape the novel? How does Jeffry Eugenides maintain a sophistication through his writing style, yet while telling it from the perspective of a young teenage boy/girl?
 * Style/Diction/Language**:

With the exception of a brief interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Jeffrey Eugenides does not often make public appearances ourtisde of book signings and is reluctant to sharing personal information. What do you think inspired him to create a novel that touches upon not-often-addressed concepts that are rather unorthodox and at times bizarre? What do you think is Eugenides' standpoint on his depicted offbeat, liberalized portrayal of love and sexuality?
 * Author**:

How able were you to accept the idea of the romantic relations between a brother and a sister? Did you view this as a creatively offset and allegorical representation of love, or were you rather totally weirded out? Take into consideration how nature vs. nurture is portrayed in the novel. What is your opinion on it? Is the love between man and wife, man and friend, brother and sister, parents and son and man and man a different type of love in these different situations? To what degree are they all the same? To what extent does society influence who we love and in what ways we love them? Take into consideration how fate is addressed in Middlesex. Is there such a thing as destiny or is life rather a game of luck?
 * Issues raised and Personal Opinions:**

How does the novel relate to A Yellow Raft in Blue Water? In what ways do their plot structures resemble each other and what central theme is similar?
 * Outside Sources:**

Interpret the following quote by Jeffrey Eugenides, regarding Middlesex: "At the same time, it's a family story and more of an epic. I needed the third-person. I tried to give a sense that Cal, in writing his story, is perhaps inventing his past as much as recalling it. "

Middlesex was selected to be in the curriculum of Oprah's Book Club in 2007. Discuss Oprah's taste in literature. As well as in literature, Oprah Winfrey has played an essential role in many other areas of the community. Please discuss Oprah. Would you describe Evan's face shape as oval, circle, square, heart, or daimond? What style of glasses would best compliment his face shape? Discuss the following top 4 American Idol contestants: -Adam -Allison -Danny -Kris Is Adam overrated? Is Danny gaining sympathy votes due to his recent status as a widow? Is Simon too harsh on Allison? Is Paula Abdul going to give it up already? Natalie and Evan are traveling to Costa Rica this summer to volunteer assisting underpivledged children. Discuss them as noble citizens. What precautions should be taken in regards to the Swine Flu? In the recent season of Gossip Girl, Blaire was determined to keep her scandalous relations with Chuck a secret. The word got out when the secret couple's affair was exposed on Gossip Girl, and Serena was appalled at the man who blackmailed her being Blaire's undercover lover. Does Serena have a right to be resentful? Or should she stay out of it? What is your favorite comfort food?
 * Recreational Questions:** (if resulted with extra time)