In 2012, we now visit Nelson as she wrestles with the queer anti-capitalist movement. Marriage was not part of the conversation for Nelson and Dodge before this, but Proposition 8, which passed with 52% of the vote, compelled them to make their partnership official in the eyes of the state. Nelson and Dodge marry at Norwalk City Hall and then have a ceremony at the Hollywood Chapel, a hole in the wall on the same street where Nelson lived for three years. We skip to November 3, 2008, the day before Election Day and the vote to pass Proposition 8 in California, a state constitutional amendment that suspended the right of same-sex couples to marry in the state. Meanwhile, Nelson analyzes and describes her role as a stepparent to Dodge’s son and her attempts to parent him lovingly in light of her stepfather’s role in her own life. Nelson details how she “polices” Iggy’s mouth, protecting, guiding, nurturing him with as much love as she can muster. Through Winnicott we learn about Nelson’s child, Iggy, and his first years of life. In doing so, Nelson quotes many illustrious authors, thinkers, and scientists, notable among them the psychologist D.W. Nelson spends much of the first third of the book analyzing several social constructs and concepts that have directly impacted her life, including the labeling of gender and sexual orientations, heteronormativity, and pregnancy. In this first section we also learn of Dodge’s son, a feisty toddler who bonds with Nelson via role-playing games in their apartment. We also learn that Nelson lived in New York City for a few years while working toward her PhD, and that she struggled for a time to determine the right pronouns to use for her partner before they moved in together. In the first third of the book, Nelson details how various friends and family reacted to her relationship with Dodge, sharing their well-meaning but often problematic questions, concerns, and opinions. Nelson begins The Argonauts in October 2007, during the first throws of her relationship with Harry Dodge. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

The argonauts maggie nelson sparknotes