Desdemona, mourning her parents, was still imprisoned by the past. And so she stood on the mountain, looking down at the emancipated city, and felt cheated by her ability to feel happy by everybody else.
Desdemona, a character in Jeffrey Eugenides' "Middlesex," grapples with the emotional weight of her past, particularly the loss of her parents. Despite living in a city that represents freedom and progress, she feels trapped by her memories and the sorrow they bring. Her longing for her past casts a shadow over her present experiences.
As she stands overlooking the liberated city, Desdemona experiences a conflict between her own sadness and the happiness of those around her. This juxtaposition highlights her internal struggle, making her feel isolated and unfulfilled amidst the joy that others seem to embrace. She is haunted by nostalgia, struggling to reconcile her grief with a desire for contentment in the present.
