We first see Cal encounter difficult times as a young girl due to her inability to develop in the same way as the other girls, and also because of the physical attraction she finds herself having for other girls. This makes for a challenging time in Cal's life because her lack of chest makes for a lack in confidence, which makes her feel the need to hide during shower time during gym in order to avoid embarrassment. Also, Cal's attraction to a classmate that he refers to as the Obscure Object makes for a difficult time emotionally as she "enters the body of Rex Reese" while Rex and the Object are fooling around. Since Cal isn't the one physically touching her, he claims, " I didn't have to feel guilty, didn't have to ask myself if I was having unnatural desires. How could I be when I was on the other cot fooling around with Jerome?" (Eugenides 375). Almost everyone has experienced a moment of insecurity, and some have even questioned their sexual preference. These are not just issues a hermaphrodite would face but issues that everyone faces, therefore it helps the audience connect with Cal's character. Eugenides portrays these scenarios to his audience to show that as long as an individual is uncomfortable in their own skin they will not find happiness for themselves.
It isn't long after Cal is faced with these emotional struggles that we see him face an even greater problem that arises. His disorder is discovered and after reading his specialists diagnoses he does some research of his own. When he looks his disorder up in the dictionary it refers him to " see synonyms at MONSTER." (Eugenides 470). This is obviously a very traumatic situation for Cal, but his parents try and down play it to him and explain that there is a surgery that would allow him to function in everyday life as a female without anyone knowing what happened. Through the discover of his disorder Cal is beginning to understand why he is the way he is, and doesn't want to avoid it, but learn more about it therefore he runs away. They say the traumatic events we face help as grow as a person and give us a strength that we never knew was there, and this is what Eugendies demonstrates through this situation of Cal's. Although Cal may not accept his condition, the strength that he shows to escape from the false identity that was " Callie" shows that he is able to understand.
Finally, through the recounting of her family story Cal is able to find a balance between her two selves and peace with her condition. It is because of her acceptance and understanding of herself that she is able to open up to Julie and tell her about his condition. In the end, he finds out that his condition does not bother and when they go back to have their first intimate relationship Cal asks Julie, " "I might be your last stop, too" I said, clinging to her "Did you ever think of that?" And Julie Kikuchi answered, "It crossed my mind.""(Eugenides 415). Eugenides shows that once Cal no longer felt the need to run from herself and finally able to accept her difference that he was finally able to establish a "last stop".
In Jeffrey Eugenides novel, Middlesex, he shows us that it is only once we learn to accept ourselves that we can be accepted and loved by others. He illustrates this through Cal's growth as a person through his confusion with his sexual preference and lack of comfort in his own skin, as well with his traumatic discover of his disorder in which he begins to understand himself, and eventually to the recounting of his family story which allows him to find balance between both halves and open himself up to a relationship with Julie. Coming-of-age is a difficult time for anyone, and this novel reminds us how challenging of a time adolescence is for everyone.
Well, I have not read the book, and am sort of getting the gist of it, but you switch back and forth between "he" and "she" when referring to Cal, and it makes your essay very hard to understand. You have to write the essay as if explaining it to someone who has not read the book.
Also, Cal's attraction to a classmate that she refers to as the Obscure Object,...
...but his parents try to down play it to him and explain that there is...
Through the discovery of his disorder Cal is beginning to understand why...
They say the traumatic events we face help us grow as a person and give us a strength
It is because of her acceptance and understanding of herself that she is able to open up to Julie and tell her about his condition. In the end, he finds out that Do you see what you're doing here, going back and forth? It makes this too confusing.
Dear Kourteney,
I agree with Susan that, "You have to write the essay as if explaining it to someone who has not read the book." This does not, however, mean that you must fill your essay with unnecessary exposition. How, then, do you make your meaning clearer to the uninformed reader? I would suggest being a lot more specific with the point you are making. Pushing your analysis and focusing on specificity will bring the piece into sharper focus.
In the introduction, you write, "We first see Cal encounter difficult times as a young girl due to her inability to develop in the same way as the other girls..." You conclude this introductory paragraph with, "Eugenides portrays these scenarios to his audience to show that as long as an individual is uncomfortable in their own skin they will not find happiness for themselves." Is this your thesis? That as long as an individual is uncomfortable in his/her skin, he/she will not find happiness? If this is the 'issue' you are posing, how is it resolved in the end?
You conclude with a paragraph about Julie (whom you have not referenced until this point) and claim that, "Coming-of-age is a difficult time for anyone, and this novel reminds us how challenging of a time adolescence is for everyone." This statement in no way resolves the point you raised in the beginning of the essay. In order to create a more cohesive narrative, link your conclusion to your introduction. How is the issue of 'happiness' resolved for Cal? THIS is where you should focus in your conclusion.
You do suggest, in the penultimate paragraph, that, "It is through the recounting of the family story that Cal finds peace with his/her situation." Is this true? Or is it through Cal's life experiences that he/she finds peace? Push your analysis. Rather than writing in broad strokes and making general claims, draw upon specific details to support your overarching point(s).
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss your essay further -- we would be delighted to work with you!
Sincerely,
Brooke
Editor
