Acceptance and Denial of Labels
Society has naturalized the practice of designating and enforcing stereotypical ideals and behaviors upon groups of all ages. It transpires to limit and regulate gender fluctuation through the use of harassment or humility. With these stereotypical ideals comes a barrier in which participants in today’s society can no longer express themselves as they see fit. Those who go above and beyond the social guidelines are left in ridicule as people mock, label, and bully these individuals into conforming alongside what is considered “normal”. The novel Middlesex, written by Jeffrey Eugenides challenges and portrays acceptance towards a label friendly society within the context of queer theory through characters such …show more content…
Philobosian’s lack of attention she was labeled as a female. Labeling a newly born child based solely off of his / her reproductive organs undermines the child’s freedom of decision. In a documentary about Hida Viloria who is an intersexed woman, states “Intersexuals should be allowed to decide as an adult if they want their genitals altered, not undergo operations as babies” (Intersexed 20/20). Calliope’s progression in life and how she begins to feel as if her identity was misconstrued is an example of why labeling and early genital reconstruction can be socially, psychologically, and emotionally damaging. Calliope’s hardship is viewed in a set society that sees her as the complete opposite of how she sees herself and demonstrates how she was born into a world of falsified pretenses. When she realized that she did not fit into the category of an average girl she began trying to alter her personality and identity in hopes of being able to fit in. Calliope’s altercations include: the faking of a menstrual cycle every month to show her mother that she is indeed a maturing daughter, pretending to be a heterosexual female, and her sexual relations with a boy named Jerome even though she desired a sexual appetite for his sister who is known as “the Obscure Object.” When Jerome finds Calliope and his sister participating in sexual conduct he begins to taunt them by calling them “carpet munchers.” Calliope who is enraged at the sight of Jerome provoking his sister decides to hit Jerome causing a game of cat and mouse. After a terrible accident from running away from Jerome, Calliope wakes up only to realize that she is in the presence of the Obscure Object and is being carried away by a couple of medical orderlies. She later goes on to be examined by a physician. This physician begins to examine the lower abdominal region in which Calliope is experiencing pain. He has her remove her pants and
Society has naturalized the practice of designating and enforcing stereotypical ideals and behaviors upon groups of all ages. It transpires to limit and regulate gender fluctuation through the use of harassment or humility. With these stereotypical ideals comes a barrier in which participants in today’s society can no longer express themselves as they see fit. Those who go above and beyond the social guidelines are left in ridicule as people mock, label, and bully these individuals into conforming alongside what is considered “normal”. The novel Middlesex, written by Jeffrey Eugenides challenges and portrays acceptance towards a label friendly society within the context of queer theory through characters such …show more content…
Philobosian’s lack of attention she was labeled as a female. Labeling a newly born child based solely off of his / her reproductive organs undermines the child’s freedom of decision. In a documentary about Hida Viloria who is an intersexed woman, states “Intersexuals should be allowed to decide as an adult if they want their genitals altered, not undergo operations as babies” (Intersexed 20/20). Calliope’s progression in life and how she begins to feel as if her identity was misconstrued is an example of why labeling and early genital reconstruction can be socially, psychologically, and emotionally damaging. Calliope’s hardship is viewed in a set society that sees her as the complete opposite of how she sees herself and demonstrates how she was born into a world of falsified pretenses. When she realized that she did not fit into the category of an average girl she began trying to alter her personality and identity in hopes of being able to fit in. Calliope’s altercations include: the faking of a menstrual cycle every month to show her mother that she is indeed a maturing daughter, pretending to be a heterosexual female, and her sexual relations with a boy named Jerome even though she desired a sexual appetite for his sister who is known as “the Obscure Object.” When Jerome finds Calliope and his sister participating in sexual conduct he begins to taunt them by calling them “carpet munchers.” Calliope who is enraged at the sight of Jerome provoking his sister decides to hit Jerome causing a game of cat and mouse. After a terrible accident from running away from Jerome, Calliope wakes up only to realize that she is in the presence of the Obscure Object and is being carried away by a couple of medical orderlies. She later goes on to be examined by a physician. This physician begins to examine the lower abdominal region in which Calliope is experiencing pain. He has her remove her pants and