Preview

Greek Mythology: A Literary Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
549 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Greek Mythology: A Literary Analysis
One last and very prominent comparison between Fun Home and Middlesex was their references to Greek Mythology which I found very ironic. Jeffrey Eugenides had a very specific intention while writing Middlesex for the elements of Greek Mythology appear from the beginning until the end. Some of the first characters that we learn about in Middlesex are Cal’s grandparents that are from Greek decent which gives us a basic outline for the many Greek references throughout the book. For starters, the Minotaur appears around five separate times throughout the book, kind of like a thread. On page 134 the Minotaur is used as a symbol for deformed children that Cals grandmother, Desdemona is afraid of potentially giving birth to, ironically happening …show more content…
They spoke to issues of queerness through two very heartbreaking, yet inspirational storylines that show their readers that acceptance of each others differences can make a huge impact in this world especially in terms of sexuality. In the factors of queerness both characters sexualities are clearly what would be considered as “queer”, but in the form of being out of the norm our main characters Alison and Cal both had undeniably bizarre life stories. One of the biggest concerns that these novels brought up was the questioning of normality in the world of being queer. When we can’t even define what “normal” is how can we expect other people to be apart of these expectations? Middlesex and Fun Home spoke to the issues of being queer Americans one as a homosexuals and one as a hermaphrodite, which are obviously two different types of queer, but very similar on the personal level. Living in the 21st Century we are structured by gender and the seemingly inevitable issues in accepting sexualities that aren’t simply male or female, and within these two novels of Middlesex and Fun Home, we read about two young characters finding themselves while they undergo their personal struggles being queer individuals in

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    As we were told when we were young children, too much of a good thing is not a good thing. The same phrase can apply to aspects in lives now. Literature shows how pride can be a good thing, but too much of it is not. In fact, the opposite of pride, humility, is an extremely important value. The Bible and Edith Hamilton’s Mythology both show how a lack of the value humility will result in consequence through characterization and plot.…

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The movie “The Matrix” is far more than the average action superhero movie. This film makes you question the difference of reality and illusion, and it makes people raise their eyebrows due to curiosity of morals and philosophical questions to the nature of reality. There are many arguments concerning what type of movie “The Matrix “is. Many critics see this film as being very religious; but are The Matrix a religious film or is it just philosophy and skeptics? The 1999 film is a combination of mythology, computer science and different religions.…

    • 1071 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This is a divisive strategy that aims to produce a consumable queer, fit for a mainstream audience. Subsequently, this strategy risks straight culture subsuming both lesbians and the queer community (Moody 2011). To subsume lesbian and queer culture would erode the common political identity that allows for community organization against heterosexism. Like bell hooks (1992) contends, “Communities of resistance are replaced by communities of consumption” (33). Effectively, the apolitical representation of lesbianism obliterates the movement’s historical allegiance to working class culture, butches, interracial socializing and feminism (Moody 2011). Both productions exemplify this shift from queer sexuality to homonomative-domestic lesbian, although The Kids Are All Right epitomizes this because it fails to acknowledge the oppressive culture and diverse identities. Homonormative representations normalized the broader lesbian community and foster…

    • 720 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Greek Mythology and Zeus

    • 956 Words
    • 4 Pages

    4. Known for his lightning bolt, this god was often called the king of the gods in the ancient Greek tradition…

    • 956 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Greek Gods Research Paper

    • 2022 Words
    • 9 Pages

    "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature," (Anne Frank, 5). In times of despondency and even contentment, people look towards the gods for counsel. They set the guiding principles for human subsistence. People worship these ideal beings throughout all circumstances. They pray to give thanks for good fortune, to ask for forgiveness, to be blessed, and more often than not, to obtain security. For a bounteous measure of people, the ultimate purpose in life is to be the most preeminent person you can…

    • 2022 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Intersex Theme

    • 821 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Middlesex is a rich story written by Jeffrey Eugenides with various characters, events, places and themes. Although it is primarily about the life of Calliope Stephanides, it follows many other subplots and relationships. The book offers a deeper look into themes such as gender identity, race relations, and nature vs. nature. These themes are present throughout the entire book involving Cal’s entire family as they struggle to remain happy in their life. In the end, these themes helped produce a magnificent book detailing some of the struggles of growing up as intersex.…

    • 821 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Greek gods,goddess, showed the greek how to live their lives in ancient greece. Five greek gods,goddesses, of note are Poseidon, Apollo, Demeter, Athena, and Hermes. Greek Mythology was important to the Greek’s mind set and civilization.…

    • 830 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Greek Myths Analysis

    • 671 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Storytelling is a way to explain the unknown, provide moral and ethical guidelines, and put good and bad human interactions into context for children. With the gods, heroines, and villains in Greek Mythology, children can be taught about values, courage, treachery, weakness, and the flaws of human nature. While the myths of the Greek gods are centered in the religion and culture of the ancient times, the stories continue to be parables to teach and entertain children today. The mystery and supernatural fears of ancient Greece have been overtaken by modern times, but the fundamentals of human nature remain unchanged and create opportunities to teach in a way that captures the imaginary…

    • 671 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Greek myths helped the people who composed and listened to them shape their identity through a variety of ways. During the Archaic period, writing began again. During this period of history, there were a variety of communities and each Greek community developed into a city-state or polis. Each polis had classes or social ranks which were the aristocracy, the poor, and the middle. They also didn’t have kings which lead to politics. During this period, women did not have any contribution to the city-states, so the city-states were mostly a community of male citizens with rights and duties under the law. In addition, each city-states were very prideful of their town which lead to intense rivalries and often had wars…

    • 1926 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    A myth is a story that is told by people from an earlier time period. They explain what they think to be happening or how they view the world at that point in time. Many of them focus on gods, goddesses, or a mythical creature in order to explain the events that define their culture. The most common myths are within Greek mythology that help to explain culture and gave the world around them a meaning. These were an important part of their everyday life and help to explain religious practices and help influence art and literature years after its…

    • 101 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Greek Mythology Analysis

    • 1911 Words
    • 8 Pages

    When Apollo was born, he killed the giant serpent Python who had been harassing his mother. In the town of Delphi, his shrine was the most visited as he provided a direct link between the mortals and the gods, and he also helped protect the mortals. He is the most handsome god that there is, and is extremely selfless, as well as being skilled at most tasks, and is very determined to succeed. Apollo is hardly portrayed in a negatively light, mostly poetic and beautiful.…

    • 1911 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Greek Myths

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Greek Myths are known around the world for being responsible for other things we as humans can’t control. They describe things from hundreds of years ago; however, what about things from this century. It seems as when moved into a new century the gods just disappeared and nothing no new gods came to take the place of the gods. If a new reign of gods came up what would be the name of the new gods and what would their purpose in our society be.…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Greek Myth and Legends

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In appearance, the gods were supposed to resemble mortals, whom, however, they far surpassed in beauty, grandeur, and strength; they were also more commanding in stature, height being considered by the Greeks an attribute of beauty in man or woman. They resembled human beings in their feelings and habits, intermarrying and having children, and requiring daily nourishment to recruit their strength, and refreshing sleep to restore their energies. Their blood, a bright ethereal fluid called Ichor, never engendered disease, and, when shed, had the power of producing new life.…

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Greek Myths

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages

    “The characters, stories, themes and lessons of Greek mythology have shaped art and literature for thousands of years. They appear in Renaissance paintings such as Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Raphael’s Triumph of Galatea and writings like Dante’s Inferno; Romantic poetry and libretti; and scores of more recent novels, plays and films.” I think that it is great that the ancient Greeks came up with these myths. When I first started reading and listening about the Greek myths, I thought they were totally absurd. However, I now think that some myths tell entertaining stories and teach great lessons. Through this paper I will tell you about one of the myths we share today in our culture, share what Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung had to say about mythic structures of the human psyche, and explain why myths such as these bring us together socially and culturally. (2)…

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Mythology is the study of myths, and throughout the ages there have been plenty of myths, from Egyptian mythology to Greek to Norse to new age religion. Mythology helps to explain our world around us. Usually from mythology comes religions, and all religions have gods. Each culture has a religion and each religion has gods that explain every aspect of life in the mortal world. One of the best known gods from all mythology is the Greek god Zeus. Zeus has a long history full of devious plots, vicious wars, scandalous adultery, and a difficult rising to power.…

    • 1120 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays