Summary:
Calliope can't have children, which was one of the reasons why she never got married. She said that its one of the reasons aside from shame. So, that's why she decided to join the Foreign Service. Stephanides is also a member of the Intersex Society of North America, which is pretty funny because she says that she doesn't like groups. So, its Ironic because she is part of one. The way she lives, is by living her own life. She is her own nurse and take cares of her own wounds. Calliope knows that its not the best way to live one's life, but its the way she is.
Quote:
"Why did my father marry a caucasian devil?" (Eugenides, 152)
Reaction:
This quote was said when the unknown voice was talking to Desdemona.
He knew that his son was destined to spread the word of the lost potion of the tribe. Meaning, He felt that him, his son, should have a skin color that would help him deal with Black and White people equally, and righteously. So, that's why the unknown voice is mulatto.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (pg 3-105)
summary:
The narrator, Calliope Stephanides, introduces herself, and her birth. She is a field hockey goalie. She gives the reader a brief description of her past life, school, work, love life, family, and his struggles. She also introduces her brother, Chapter Eleven, and his grandmother, Desdemona Stephanides. His mother didn't want a boy, she wanted a girl, that's why she was named "Calliope". Stephanides compares herself with Si Ling-Chi, she was a chinese Princess, whose discovery gave Desdemona her livelihood. She unraveled her story to pass, where her grandparents are making preparation to another voyage to Giulia.
Quote:
"I was born twice: first, as a baby.....and then again, as a teenage boy" (Eugenides, 3)
Reaction:
This quote is the first thing that stood out to me when I started reading this book. At first I didn't understand it, but as I kept reading, I started to look back at this statement. Being a teenager is like being born again, everything is different, its like a new life. You over come school, love life, and family situation. But, when your a baby, you don't really understand anything happening around you.
The narrator, Calliope Stephanides, introduces herself, and her birth. She is a field hockey goalie. She gives the reader a brief description of her past life, school, work, love life, family, and his struggles. She also introduces her brother, Chapter Eleven, and his grandmother, Desdemona Stephanides. His mother didn't want a boy, she wanted a girl, that's why she was named "Calliope". Stephanides compares herself with Si Ling-Chi, she was a chinese Princess, whose discovery gave Desdemona her livelihood. She unraveled her story to pass, where her grandparents are making preparation to another voyage to Giulia.
Quote:
"I was born twice: first, as a baby.....and then again, as a teenage boy" (Eugenides, 3)
Reaction:
This quote is the first thing that stood out to me when I started reading this book. At first I didn't understand it, but as I kept reading, I started to look back at this statement. Being a teenager is like being born again, everything is different, its like a new life. You over come school, love life, and family situation. But, when your a baby, you don't really understand anything happening around you.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Forever by Judy Blume (pg 183-220)
Summary:
In chapter twenty-three, Katherine narrates a typical day at camp. Readers can tell that she is becoming somewhat attracted to Theo. She describes in detail what he looks like. Katherine cries because she does not understand her mixed emotions.
In the beginning of chapter twenty-four, Katherine's grandfather dies. In this chapter, Katherine also stops writing to Michael, as she needs time to think. Later on, Michael surprises Katherine with a visit at the camp she works at. He catches Katherine holding hands with Theo. So, Michael guesses that there is another guy in her life than him. Then he refers to the necklace that he gave katherine and the word "Forever" on it. He wants to know what that means now to her and their relationship. Michael decides that their relationship can never be the same again, although Katherine holds onto the hope that it can be. Michael tells Katherine that he doesn't want to share her with another guy. Katherine asks if that means it is all over between them. Michael says that he thinks it is. Katherine takes off the necklace and gives it to Michael. But, Michael puts it in her purse.
The book ends with Katherine at home. She has just been told that Theo has called.
Quote:
"Have you thought about how this relationship will end?" (Blume, 216)
Reaction:
When Katherine asked Michael that question, I was surprise because I thought there relationship would last for ever. This phrase foreshadows what will happen to their relationship by the end of the book. Throughout the book the book, Katherine has grown from her experiences. She learned that you can't love a person forever just to make love. She realized that the word "forever" is a long, complicated, and strong word. Thus, it can brake ones heart.
In chapter twenty-three, Katherine narrates a typical day at camp. Readers can tell that she is becoming somewhat attracted to Theo. She describes in detail what he looks like. Katherine cries because she does not understand her mixed emotions.
In the beginning of chapter twenty-four, Katherine's grandfather dies. In this chapter, Katherine also stops writing to Michael, as she needs time to think. Later on, Michael surprises Katherine with a visit at the camp she works at. He catches Katherine holding hands with Theo. So, Michael guesses that there is another guy in her life than him. Then he refers to the necklace that he gave katherine and the word "Forever" on it. He wants to know what that means now to her and their relationship. Michael decides that their relationship can never be the same again, although Katherine holds onto the hope that it can be. Michael tells Katherine that he doesn't want to share her with another guy. Katherine asks if that means it is all over between them. Michael says that he thinks it is. Katherine takes off the necklace and gives it to Michael. But, Michael puts it in her purse.
The book ends with Katherine at home. She has just been told that Theo has called.
Quote:
"Have you thought about how this relationship will end?" (Blume, 216)
Reaction:
When Katherine asked Michael that question, I was surprise because I thought there relationship would last for ever. This phrase foreshadows what will happen to their relationship by the end of the book. Throughout the book the book, Katherine has grown from her experiences. She learned that you can't love a person forever just to make love. She realized that the word "forever" is a long, complicated, and strong word. Thus, it can brake ones heart.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Forever by Judy Blume (pg 141-183)
Summary:
Both Michael and Katherine has the flu. They must stay apart from each other for several days, until they feel somewhat better. When Michael takes Katherine out on her birthday, he gives her a present. It is a necklace that holds a small silver disk with "Katherine" engraved on one side and "Forever … Michael" on the other.
In this chapter, Katherine also mentions that her sister, Jamie, is going back to a summer camp in New Hampshire.Later, Katherine tells Michael that she has to go to New Hampshire for the summer, where jamie goes to camp. Michael announces then that he has accepted a summer job in North Carolina. Both of their parents wanted them to take the jobs. Katherine and Michael resolve not to let the separation change their relationship.
Katherine attends Michael's graduation. Katherine's graduation is held next. Four days after that, Katherine and her sister, Jamie, are at the New Hampshire camp.
Quote:
"It makes me wish I could share every day with him- forever" (Blume, 151)
Reaction:
In this passage, Kathrine's relationship with Michael has grown. Besides everything else, the author considers Michael as her best friend. Its a different kind of friendship from the one she has with Erica. She is starting to get closer to Michael, and knowing him not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
Both Michael and Katherine has the flu. They must stay apart from each other for several days, until they feel somewhat better. When Michael takes Katherine out on her birthday, he gives her a present. It is a necklace that holds a small silver disk with "Katherine" engraved on one side and "Forever … Michael" on the other.
In this chapter, Katherine also mentions that her sister, Jamie, is going back to a summer camp in New Hampshire.Later, Katherine tells Michael that she has to go to New Hampshire for the summer, where jamie goes to camp. Michael announces then that he has accepted a summer job in North Carolina. Both of their parents wanted them to take the jobs. Katherine and Michael resolve not to let the separation change their relationship.
Katherine attends Michael's graduation. Katherine's graduation is held next. Four days after that, Katherine and her sister, Jamie, are at the New Hampshire camp.
Quote:
"It makes me wish I could share every day with him- forever" (Blume, 151)
Reaction:
In this passage, Kathrine's relationship with Michael has grown. Besides everything else, the author considers Michael as her best friend. Its a different kind of friendship from the one she has with Erica. She is starting to get closer to Michael, and knowing him not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Forever by Judy Blume (107-141)
summary:
Katherine receives a package from her grandmother. It is filled with Planned Parenthood pamphlets. Katherine then telephones Planned Parenthood and makes an appointment with them. In chapter fifteen, one of the clinicians at Planned Parenthood asks Katherine several personal questions about her relationship with Michael. They then discuss various birth control devices. Katherine is also tested for gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease. By the end of the chapter, Katherine has chosen a birth control pill to use. Katherine tells Michael that she has a surprise for him. She tells him that she is now on the pill.
Quote:
"Like my mother said, you can't go back to holding hands and anyway, I don't want to" (Blume, 125)
Reaction:
Katherine's mother wants her daughter to grow up, and Kath also realizes that she is growing. "you can't go back to holding hands", to me, this quote means to think ahead. thinking ahead meaning, planning ahead. Kath's mother wants kath to think/plan ahead before reacting to a situation. That shows the coming of age of katherine.
Katherine receives a package from her grandmother. It is filled with Planned Parenthood pamphlets. Katherine then telephones Planned Parenthood and makes an appointment with them. In chapter fifteen, one of the clinicians at Planned Parenthood asks Katherine several personal questions about her relationship with Michael. They then discuss various birth control devices. Katherine is also tested for gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease. By the end of the chapter, Katherine has chosen a birth control pill to use. Katherine tells Michael that she has a surprise for him. She tells him that she is now on the pill.
Quote:
"Like my mother said, you can't go back to holding hands and anyway, I don't want to" (Blume, 125)
Reaction:
Katherine's mother wants her daughter to grow up, and Kath also realizes that she is growing. "you can't go back to holding hands", to me, this quote means to think ahead. thinking ahead meaning, planning ahead. Kath's mother wants kath to think/plan ahead before reacting to a situation. That shows the coming of age of katherine.
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