Historical/World Events in Middlesex

Why is it significant that major historical and world events in Middlesex are coupled with family events? Tessie and Milton, for example, marry just after Japan surrenders and Desdemona and Lefty have their first hug as more than brother and sister when the Turks invade.

By tying historical events with seemingly minor happenings, Cal adds weight to family occasions that might otherwise be overlooked. Cal is conceived, for instance, on Easter Sunday, a day devoted to celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Cal’s conception thus marks an important point in the novel, as I am sure will be further revealed later in the text.

While family events are more memorable in the novel when they coincide with historical events, in describing minor events alongside major world events, the family events seem almost insignificant in the grand scheme of things. When Desdemona and Lefty hug at the moment that the Turks invade their usual relationship seem less earth shattering because in comparison to the devastation taking place, their incestuous activities seem unimportant.