Middlesex-+Journal+Entry+4


 * Definitions-**
 * St. George- Page 132, picture Lefty puts on window to show that speakeasy is open- was a soldier in Roman Army and was one of Emperor Diocletian's favorite soldiers. Usually showed killing a dragon to rescue a beautiful woman- Diocletian was a pagan and put any christians to death- St. Geroge is devout christian, not afraid, stands up and tells emperor how cruel he is being- killed but stood up for christianity.
 * Anomie- Page 133, "A term meaning "without law" to describe a lack of social norms"-- * "describes breakdown of social bonds between an individual and and their community ties or with fragmentation of social identity and rejection of self regulatory values."
 * Epaulette- Page 144, "a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations.
 * Sericulture- Page 147, the rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk (Silk Farming)

- Page 133, 134: Comparing Lefty and Desdemona's upbringing to Milton and Theodora's- "As once a //kelimi// had separated brother and sister, now a wool blanket separated second cousins. As once a double shadow had leapt up against the mountainside, now a similarly conjoined shadow moved across the back porch of the house on Hurlbut" (133-134). -Page 139- " Her village eyes, which could differentiate between trees and bushes at a glance, glazed over at he significance along the route, the meaningless roman letters swirling into one another..." -Page 143: "Did she notice the ornamental touches around the entrance, the Roman urns spilling granite fruit, the harlequin marble?" - thought this was interesting- not necessarily under topic- Page 139 When sees poor man with sign, "//He looks like a refuge. Might as well be Smyrna, this city. What's the difference?"//
 * European VS. American**

Fezzes- Page 143

- I was surprised at his funeral. I thought he got a lot more than he should have deserved. Lefty really did a lot for his funeral. Lina does not seem to be that upset but it seems as if she is putting on a show for everyone in her "mourning process". She does not actually care that much. this is shown when after the 40 day mourning period she walks out in a bright orange dress. It was customary for women to wear black if they were widowed to honor their husband, but Lina does not.
 * Zizmo's Funeral**

When D goes to find job- has to teach 23 girls how to make silk--"To make good silk, you have to be pure"- what mother old her.
 * Random-**

Page 140- When Desdemona is getting off at bus stop- doesn't know much English so says what Lena says "Sonnamabiche" - Has no idea what she just has said and gets off of bus smiling- funny.

Re-instituted by Lefty-- "he felt himself being enclosed in the loneliness of fatherhood" (130). Relationship becomes more like tradition-- (kukla->kyria : doll->madame), //sala// is for male companion, begins making orders for food Page 133- Zebra Room- Desdemona and Lena stay upstairs with babies while Lefty is downstairs drinking, flirting, and playing music
 * Sex Segregated house-**

"There were times when the guilt she felt for marrying Lefty conflicted with the guilt she felt for not satisfying him" (134). Lefty and Desdemona- marital issues, kids and financial stresses driving them apart.

American Life- Lefty, "Im having a nightmare every day"

"Desdemona saw her husband's face screwed up with malice she'd never seen before. It was no longer Lefty's face, no longer that of her brother or her husband. It was the face of someone new, a stranger that she was living with" (137).
 * 5. Reaction **

I do not like the change in Lefty at all! He is treating Desdemona terribly. It is not how he was in Bythinos at all. He used to treat her as an equal and respected her. Now he only drinks and tried to make money, but completely sex segregates the house, does not respect her, and gets mad at her when she does not sleep with him. Desdemona is working hard to raise their children and run the home but he claims she is doing no work. I think he is becoming extremely selfish and is expecting her to work to make his life better. He claims that he is the one doing all of the work, while in reality Desdemona is working her butt off while he drinks and plays games. Lefty is starting to remind me a little of Zizmo. He sometimes speaks down onto Desdemona and he degrades her. He is jealous of her attention to their kids, while he is acting like a child himself. I liked Lefty A LOT more in the beginning of the book. He was sweet and caring towards Desdemona, while now, with his new American tactics, he is rude and only is seeing her as someone to 'take care of him. I think the change in Lefty has a lot to do with the new stresses he has been introduced to and also the new social 'norms'. He is stressed out about their financial situation, work, and making it in general. He is also being introduced to many new ideas and view on women and it seems normal to treat Desdemona as a housekeeper. I am really disappointed that Lefty has changed because he used to be so sweet to her ! (Even though it was weird when he was sweet to his wife / sister it is even worse now that he is treating her poorly).