Abstract
This paper reviews Jeffrey Eugenides' novel, "Middlesex," the story of a hermaphrodite, Cal, and the struggles faced with gender issues and self-concept. The story is also about the challenges endured by a Greek-American family, including their persecution in Asia-Minor and immigration to America. A significant aspect of the novel is the incestuous relationship between Calliope's grandparents, who were brother and sister, and therefore responsible for the genetic mutation. The review highlights the situation that led to Lefty and Desdemona marrying in a sensitive light. The paper concludes by describing the book as an effective tool for social change and education because it deals with a subject that is widely avoided.

From the Paper
"Decision making is an important aspect of life and once the wrong decisions are made they cannot be changed or reversed, but can only be learned from. This is the story of Lefty and Desdemona Stephanides; they are brother and sister who are attracted to each other because of their environment and their way of living. Lefty and Desdemona know everything about each other and they always do everything together because they were alone, high on top of a mountain living in a very small village. After the death of their parents, Lefty and Desdemona start to live by distracting themselves from their emotions towards each other. Even though both individuals pursue towards distractions, they cannot help, but still be in love with each other."

Tags:middlesex, hermaphrodite, chromosomes, genetic mutation, intersex

Abstract
This paper presents a brief biography of the dancer, Isadora Duncan, as well as a description of her philosophy of the dance form. The paper also discusses her influence on and contribution to modern dance.

From the Paper
"Duncan's personal success as a dancer should not diminish what is perhaps her greater contribution, her success as a teacher and a creator of her own tradition. She began her first school in Grunewald, Germany in 1904, selecting children from the poorer classes and providing completely for all their physical and materials need from her own pocket. Later, she established schools in both Russia and Paris. Interestingly enough, these schools are proudly proclaimed as providing an unbroken legacy of tradition with their founders. "The existence of Isadora's dances lies in the transmission of the choreographies from one dancer to another in an unbroken line of generations of Duncan dancers," writes Lori Belivoe in the periodical and press release of the foundation that bears Isadora's name. (Belivoe, Isadora Duncan Foundation for Contemporary Dance, "Isadora Duncan Legacy and Schools") Duncan's indefinable, inexact balance between classicism and personal, inner artistic poetic expression manifested in dance thus became a "tradition" in and of itself."

Tags:barefoot, grecian, gown, strangled, spokes, vehicle, classical, movement, calliope