In "Middlesex," Jeffrey Eugenides presents a profound contrast between the chaos of a household filled with shouting and the deep silence that follows during a winter in Middlesex. This silence is not merely an absence of noise; it signifies a significant shift that alters the fabric of daily life and history, symbolized by the metaphor of erasing parts of an official record.

The imagery used highlights how personal and familial turmoil can lead to overwhelming quietude, hinting at the emotional and psychological impacts of such experiences. The reference to the President's secretary illustrates the interconnectedness of personal lives and broader historical narratives, suggesting that the silence can obscure vital truths and memories.