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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. Why does the silk Lefty sells in the market not earn much money?

2. What is the source of Dr. Philobosian's sadness?

3. What is located in Desdemona's hope chest that she fears she will never use?

4. What does Desdemona do to help make the village girls more attractive to Lefty?

5. Where do Desdemona and Lefty move to in this chapter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is particular significance of Lefty and Desdemona (brother and sister) marrying for Cal/Calliope, the narrator?

2. Describe Fard Muhammad's beliefs about the evolution of race.

3. Describe Calliope's baptism.

4. What does Desdemona do when she hears that Milton's Navy unit will be going to war?

5. Describe Desdemona's silkworm box and its contents.

6. Describe Sourmelina's appearance when Lefty and Desdemona first arrive in Detroit. What is the significance of the way she looks?

7. Why does the vigilante who throws a Molotov Cocktail into the Zebra Room yell "Opa!" as he sets the diner on fire?

8. Describe Desdemona's appearance.

9. How does Desdemona react to the speeches that she hears through the heating grates while working in the Silk Room?

10. Describe the village of Bithynios.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the themes in Middlesex is the American Dream. Discuss how the American Dream is used in this novel and what it says about the attainability of the dream. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,117 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample