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To begin, Stryker's texts and presence in class were really awe-inspiring. While her articles were by far my favourite readings of this semester, I had no idea what to espect of her in person. I had the opportunity to meet her on Wednesday, when she visited Bethany Schneider and Christina Beltran's Intersdisciplinary Gender and Sexuality course (which I am in), as well as Sharon Ullman's History of Sexuality course. After this class I was able to spend some time speaking to Dr. Stryker with a smaller group of students, Alexander included. So, entering class today, I was already in awe of her presence in class and excited to see what she had to say. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

For me, one of the strongest points that Stryker makes in her essay on Frankenstein is her communication of transsexual rage. I respond well to raw emotion, especially in the context of an identity that I understand on a fairly intimate level. Stryker has a fantastic style of hiding theory in personal testimony, much like one hides medication in pudding or chocolate sauce for a hesitant invalid. This is the way in which I find I absorb theory to its fullest extent; when I find myself surprised by its presence in the text.

Additionally, to respectfully respond to YJ's post; as a member of this course, it is impossible for Stryker to have been the first transgender person you've met. There are (at least) two members of this course who also identify as transgender. :)