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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Uncle Pete encourage Tessie and Milton to do to ensure their baby will be a girl?

2. Where do Desdemona and Lefty move to when they arrive in the United States?

3. What does Lefty resolve to do after his visit to the brothel?

4. What does Desdemona do following Lefty's death?

5. What does Desdemona keep in the silkworm box to predict the sex of a baby?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Milton do to convince the realtor to sell him Middlesex?

2. Describe the Greek General Hajienestis.

3. What is the conflict between Desdemona and Lefty in the chapter "Marriage on Ice"?

4. Describe Detroit in 1967.

5. Describe Calliope's baptism.

6. How does the narrator characterize Lefty's gradual demise?

7. Why does Desdemona become concerned about her unborn child after talking with Dr. Philobosian?

8. Describe the events that allow Desdemona and Lefty to depart from Smyrna.

9. How does Jimmy Zismo change during Sourmelina's pregnancy?

10. Compare Lefty's original Zebra Room to Milton's version of the Zebra Room.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Middlesex is a first person narrative written from the point of view of Cal. Discuss how this fact influences the story? What biases does Cal bring to the story? How would the nove be different if another character was telling the story? Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Sexual taboos are central to the story lines in Middlesex. Discuss how the author uses forbidden romance and sexual secrets in the novel. What is the impact of these taboos on the story? What is the author trying to say about our beliefs about sexuality? Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the events that lead Calliope to decide to live her life as Cal. Then comment on his/her decision. Did s/he make the right decision? Why or why not? What would you have done if you were in the same situation?

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This section contains 1,094 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample