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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 surprises Cal most about Desdemona's appearance when he sees her for the first time since returning home?

2. Which of the following is NOT a reason why Tessie and Milton feed their family only traditional Greek foods?

3. What does the Object's father do while driving Callie to the family's summer home in Petoskey?

4. Who discovers Callie's unusual genitals in this chapter?

5. Who is Hermaphroditus?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the connection between the mulberry tree outside of Middlesex and the silk industry?

2. Describe Meg Zemka's personality.

3. How does Milton react to his impending death after running his car off of the bridge?

4. What masculine traits does Callie begin showing in this chapter?

5. Why does Callie have sex with Jerome?

6. Why does Callie not discover her hermaphroditism in this chapter?

7. Describe Zora Khyber.

8. Describe the dynamics of Zoe's and Father Mike's relationship.

9. Compare Milton's and Tessie's thoughts about Cal's hermaphroditism after she disappears

10. What information does Callie get about her condition when she meets with Dr. Luce?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Middlesex, a few minor characters have a major impact on the story line. Select one of the following minor characters to analyze: Father Mike, Jimmy Zismo, Chapter Eleven or Sourmelina. Discuss:

1) The personality (character traits) of this character.

2) The relationship between this minor character and the major characters in the story.

3) The impact of this character on the story line--How does s/he influence the overall story line? How would the story be different if this character was removed?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides weaves actual events from history (Turkish and American) into his fictional story. Select one of the situations where he places his characters within a real historical context and:

1) Describe the historical context of the scene or chapter (i.e. What actually happened in history that Eugenides uses in the book?).

2) Discuss the relationship between the historical context and the fictional story of the Stephanides family. What does this piece of history have to do with the family's life? Why does Eugenides choose to place these characters at this particular point in the story in this particular historical context?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the narrator's lives as Calliope and Cal. How are they similar? How are they different? Which identity (Cal or Calliope) do you believe is his/her "true" self?Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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