Middlesex: Book 3: Home Movies Summary & Analysis

Cal describes his memories of the day he was born, saying he knows it’s “impossible” to actually remember this day, but he still does. The nurse doesn’t notice anything wrong with Callie, and takes her to be examined by Dr. Philobosian. Dr. Philobosian, now 74 years old, examines the baby, but at the moment when he is supposed to be inspecting Callie’s genitals, his eyes catch the nurse’s. Enchanted, Dr. Philobosian is distracted from his examination, and concludes that Callie is “a beautiful, healthy girl.”

Back at home, Desdemona has discovered Lefty’s body on the kitchen floor. Having not been able to hear his heartbeat, she assumes that he is dead. She weeps and curses God for taking Lefty away, but at the same time she feels a surge of happiness, as the source of her worries has suddenly disappeared. However, she then hears his heart beating, and rushes him to hospitals, where he regains consciousness. Although Lefty’s mind works perfectly, he can no longer speak. Back in Cal’s adult life, he is drinking coffee and eating strudel with Julie at Café Einstein. Julie says she thinks “beauty is always freakish.” Cal describes his own physical appearance, with traits inherited from his ancestors, but adds that no one has ever truly seen all of him. 

Two months after Callie is born, Desdemona is distressed about the fact that she still has not been baptized. When Milton calls baptism “hocus pocus,” Desdemona starts dramatically fanning herself, and begs Milton to think of Zoë and Father Mike. When Milton hears that baptism is free, he reluctantly gives in. Assumption Church has recently moved to a new site, a spectacular building designed to recall “the ancient splendor of Byzantium” while also showing off the prosperity of Greek Americans. While Callie is being dunked in the Holy Water by Father Mike, she feels at peace. She then urinates in an “arc,” hitting Father Mike in the face. Those in attendance try to stop themselves laughing. Milton is proud, while Tessie is humiliated.

Desdemona is also horrified by what happened at the baptism. It adds to the existing distress caused by the fact that for the first time, her spoon technique for predicting a baby’s sex didn’t work. Despite being resolutely opposed to assimilating into American culture, Desdemona has started to become more American by virtue of her obsession with TV. Desdemona was at first suspicious of Callie, seeing her as yet another sign of the “end times.” However, one day Desdemona goes into Callie’s room and holds her. From this moment, Desdemona is devoted to her granddaughter, who becomes her favorite member of the family.

Lefty, meanwhile, has recovered well and remains physically fit, helpful around the house, and devoted to his translations. Still unable to speak, he communicates by writing notes. At night he smokes hash in his hookah pipe. For Callie’s first few Christmases, Tessie is so excited about having a girl that she dressed her in ridiculous, frilly outfits. During this time, Milton has taken to making home movies, and Callie describes how the family look in these films. Lefty is still “dapper” after his stroke, and Desdemona’s dentures make her look like a “snapping turtle.” Chapter Eleven looks decidedly American. The family have two boxers. Later, this film (“Easter ‘62”) will be screened by Dr. Luce at Cornell University Medical School. It shows the infant Callie nursing a baby doll.

Before puberty, Callie is not physically different from other girls in a way that is visibly significant. Milton’s Super 8 film of Callie’s 7th birthday in 1967 is the last home movie he will ever make. At this time, Chapter Eleven is 12 and enjoys cutting golf balls in half in order to look at their insides. Profits from Milton’s diner have started to slump. When he looks into selling it, he is horrified to realize that he has waited too long; it is worth less than what Lefty originally bought it for, decades earlier. There is a particular patron of the diner considered to be a “troublemaker” named Marius Wyxzewixard Challouehliczilczese Grimes. He calls Callie “Little Cleopatra,” although she has been banned from speaking to him in return.

Marius works in a record shop and is taking night classes at the University of Detroit Law School. He wears sunglasses and a beret, and likes to point out how many businesses in the neighborhood are “white-owned.” One day, Marius asks “Little Cleo” why Milton gives police officers free coffee, then tells her that it’s because Milton is afraid of black people. Callie denies this, but immediately after starts noticing signs of her father’s racism. One day, when Milton sees her talking to Marius, he shouts at her, saying she is not allowed to speak to strangers. Callie explains that Marius isn’t a stranger, to no avail. Milton stops letting her come to the diner for a while.