Middlesex+journal+entry+11

pp. 401-439

1. Propriety (402): conforming to accepted behaviors, morals, etc. adamantly (404): inflexibly (google definitions), so when Calliope is "adamantly opposed" she is completely reluctant to changing her stance

- There have definitely been times when I felt that particular words were extremely significant in my life - and there were definitely even more times when I felt I was at a loss of words. However, this "labeling" of Calliope's situation is actually more related to something more connected with my family/my sister (she is not intersex in any way, just clearing that up). Throughout most of my life, I have seen psychologists try to put a name on my oldest sister's condition. She has always had ADHD, but later in her life doctors attempted to treat her with bi-polar medication, then anti-depressant medication, then called it personality disorder..Labels on who someone is and their identity always seem to hurt more than they help - at least, they always hurt the person in the situation, and possibly others around her. (Although from a medical stand point, I do understand the purpose of clarifying/naming a condition out of interest to help the patient) She is my sister and that is how I will always see her - I do not think any other word is necessary other than her name, in my view of her, to define her. (PS: Only Mrs. Ferrens can see this right? I don't think I'm supposed to/I usually really don't share this with anyone outside of my family...)

4. "Gender was like a native tongue; it didn't exist before birth but was imprinted in the brain during childhood, never disappearing. Children learn to speak Male or Female the way they learn to speak English or French" (411). This adds to our discussions (and my own thoughts) of the ambiguities of gender and how it is basically a social construct (these gender representations/expressions are things that children are taught - you are not born with it).