A lot of what we discussed in class today was based on identity: from the quotes in the beginning of the book to Wanda's true identity in the different worlds.  But how do we determine identity anyway? Is it based on our own dreams; virtually, our own individual perceptions? Or is it based on reality--the general ideologies and rules of society, coming from the web of interactions between perceptions and ideas? Ironically, with these definitions, we see yet again that there is NO distinction between "reality" and "dreams." After all, our individual perceptions are influenced by others' and general, publicly accepted ideologies are based on individual perceptions.  Thus, if there is no difference between reality and dreams, then the quotes in the beginning of the graphic novel seems accurate in saying that nobody knows who they are. Perhaps, what we call "identity" doesn't exist. And we wrap back around the circle.  Yay circles and irony and never-ending questions. End of rant.

I am still working to finish up Middlesex and I'm very much enjoying this journey. However, I can't stop thinking about the way in which Cal's gender and his intersex body are presented in this book. The story of his ancestral line including incest, multiple times, and the way in which Desdemona has feared for so long that because of this something will be wrong with each birth makes Cal seem like that "punishment". Is Cal's intersex body being presented as a crime of unmoral or sinful behavior? Am I incorrect in feeling that Cal's body is being framed as a result of incest?

http://www.archive.org/details/OrsonWellesMrBruns

Rather than listen to the War of the Worlds in 7 parts over YouTube, I've provided the link above so that you can download it into an mp3 file. (I couldn't seem to get my copy up on Serendip...) You can either just stream it straight off the web (for the entire 59 minutes and 19 seconds) or download it and listen to it on the treadmill. (Which I did the first time I downloaded it ;) )

Hope this is helpful!

Tuesday, March 13th
7-9 PM
34th and Walnut | Fisher Bennett Hall Room 401
Free and open to the public! Food will be provided.