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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Pageboy summary
Elliot Page
A Memoir
17 mins
Table of Contents
Pageboy
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Key idea 1 of 5
Early dysphoria and childhood isolation.
Elliot Page was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, on February 21, 1987. Assigned female at birth, he was named Ellen before transitioning. His parents, Martha Philpotts, an educator, and Dennis Page, a graphic designer, divorced before Elliot was two. After splitting his time between parents, Elliot moved in with his father and his new wife at the age of six, settling into a spacious townhouse near the Northwest Arm, Halifax.
However, home didn’t always provide the safety and warmth one would hope for. Elliot’s stepmother, Linda, encouraged her own children to tease and mock him. Was it because Elliot rejected her gourmet cooking? No. It was most likely because he was different from his step-siblings.
From a young age, Elliot felt uncomfortable with the label “girl”. His preference for “boy’s” toys, clothes, and male friends made his mother uneasy. Reflecting on his childhood, Page cherishes the moments he spent alone with his mother. Yet, during social occasions, he was expected to put on dresses – to conform. This imposed conformity caused ongoing discomfort and a sense of betrayal. Both parents expected him to outgrow this “phase,” with his mother eagerly awaiting his transformation into a “young lady.” But it wasn’t going to be that simple.
At age 8, Elliot was heartbroken when forced to leave the co-ed football team. The switch from boy to girl occurred without warning, leading to increased dysphoria and relentless discomfort. The profound sense of not belonging weighed heavily on Elliot’s heart. He grew to despise feminine clothing, seeking solace in what he called “private play.” He would spend hours constructing forts, developing intricate stories, and playing with action figures. In solitude, he could be his authentic self.
He found freedom and openness within the realm of his imagination. No topic was off-limits, including romantic scenarios. He composed letters to a fictional lover and signedthen signing them as “Jason”. In public, his short hair and demeanor let him pass for a boy, but puberty and the requirement to grow out his hair for acting roles swiftly reversed the effect. Elliot also had a close friend named Anna, with whom he shared precious moments. They walked, played video games, and watched movies together.
Elliot yearned to share his feelings, but it wasn’t to meant to be. Even a casual touch was too much for his crush to bear. An unsettled home life and a burgeoning queer identity led to confusion and constant introspection. Despite these challenges, there was one thing Elliot was certain of: his desire to act.
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What is Pageboy about?
Pageboy (2023) plunges you into the candid and compelling world of Elliot Page's life. Navigate through stories of self-discovery, transformation, and fortitude that shaped his remarkable journey.
Who should read Pageboy?
- Members of the LGBTQ+ community
- Allies, advocates, and identity explorers
- Fims buffs and cinemagoers
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