"Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides

506 Words2 Pages

Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides, inner struggles are paralleled with each setting. Taking place in the twentieth century each setting plays a significant role in explaining a theme in the novel. Fleeing Greece in a time of war and entering Detroit Michigan as immigrants parallel later events to the next generation of kin fleeing Grosse Pointe Michigan to San Francisco. These settings compliment a major theme of the novel, society has always believed to be missing something in their life and attempted to fill the missing piece.

Desdemona and Lefty’s struggle while fleeing Greece, during a time of war, parallels Cal’s struggle while in Grosse Pointe and fleeing to San Francisco. Desdemona and Lefty are wondering through a war zone to find a boat to get to America, while struggling to keep their love for each other undercover. Desdemona and Lefty’s struggle on hiding their love parallels Cal’s struggle as a young girl as a result from Desdemona and Lefty’s incestuous marriage. Desdemona and Lefty’s fleeing to Detroit Michigan gives them the chance to live who they truly are, two peop...

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