Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

First things first - in light of Scott's admission at the last meeting that he is in fact, a beta male, I invite any of you out there to come forward if you are a hermaphrodite . . . anyone . . . well, OK then, why don't we just move along?

Here are just a few questions that we can use to get the discussion rolling tomorrow night:

(1) What elements of Greek mythology figure into Cal's story? Is this novel meant to be a new myth?

(2) Does the house, Middlesex, have a symbolic function in the novel? Is it significant that it had no doors?

(3) What is Cal's brother only referred to as "Chapter Eleven?"

(4) How is Cal's experience of living within two genders similar to the immigrant experience of living within two cultures?

(5) Is gender a genetic thing or is it merely a social construct?

(6) Do you think that Cal's relationship with Julie will be successful? Why or why not?

(7) Why does Cal ultimately decide to live as a man rather than a woman?

(8) What purpose, if any, is served by having Cal tell his story in a circular fashion?

Looking forward to a fun night!