Callie rises up inside me, wearing my skin like a loose robe. She sticks her little hands into the baggy sleeves of my arms. She inserts her chimp's feet through the trousers of my legs. On the sidewalk I'll feel her girlish walk take over, and the movement brings back a kind of emotion, a desolate and gossipy sympathy for the girls I see coming home from school.
In this passage from "Middlesex," the narrator experiences an intimate connection with an inner self named Callie. This inner persona embodies a blend of innocence and vulnerability, as she metaphorically wears the narrator's skin like a robe, suggesting a deep psychological intertwining. The imagery of Callie taking shape within the narrator’s body emphasizes the complex identity struggle and highlights a journey of self-discovery.
As Callie influences the narrator's movements, there’s a nostalgic reflection on the past, evoking feelings of empathy for girls returning home from school. This emotional response indicates a longing for connection and an exploration of gender identity, revealing the profound impact of adolescence and the societal roles associated with it. The narrative illustrates how personal history can shape one's sense of self through both memory and external interactions.
