Critical Theory for English The memoir repeatedly asks us in subtle and not-so-subtle ways to compare and contrast Alison and her father. Analyze the following characteristics and discuss how it manifests itself in these two characters, be sure to touch on both similarities and differences and possible reasons for the similarities and differences: Their artistic temperament; their relationship with the mother/wife; their coming out; their secretiveness; their interactions with other gay people; their relationship to literature; their relationship to (and resistance of?) gender norms. You must properly quote from the book and your two articles to support your claims!

QUESTION

Use the following questions for your final paper. What I expect here is the following—a well-developed thesis based on a combination of your observations/understandings of the text along with the use of 2 critical articles. I also expect that you will use MLA format, 8th edition, which includes internal citations and have a work cited page. The overall paper should be about 5-6 pages.
As you begin to address these questions, I suggest you carefully study the panels and remember to ask yourself the following questions (even if you do not use all the answers as you write your paper). This way you will stay specific, rather than general.

Questions/Prompt: Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
The memoir repeatedly asks us in subtle and not-so-subtle ways to compare and contrast Alison and her father. Analyze the following characteristics and discuss how it manifests itself in these two characters, be sure to touch on both similarities and differences and possible reasons for the similarities and differences: Their artistic temperament; their relationship with the mother/wife; their coming out; their secretiveness; their interactions with other gay people; their relationship to literature; their relationship to (and resistance of?) gender norms. You must properly quote from the book and your two articles to support your claims!

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Critical Theory for English The memoir repeatedly asks us in subtle and not-so-subtle ways to compare and contrast Alison and her father. Analyze the following characteristics and discuss how it manifests itself in these two characters, be sure to touch on both similarities and differences and possible reasons for the similarities and differences: Their artistic temperament; their relationship with the mother/wife; their coming out; their secretiveness; their interactions with other gay people; their relationship to literature; their relationship to (and resistance of?) gender norms. You must properly quote from the book and your two articles to support your claims!
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All papers need evidence to support your assertions. That means you need to have specific passages, events, words, etc. You must use these passages actively. The text is important; you need to have short quotes throughout your paper.
Don’t forget that every quote needs to be introduced (contextualized) and explained. Don’t just hang those quotes out in the air to dry. It’s your responsibility to carve out for the reader what those quotes mean exactly.
No papers should begin with a generalization.
All papers should be grammatically correct and everyone should proof-read his/her paper and run a spell-check.
All papers should have adequate transition words or phrases within the paragraphs and between the paragraphs to produce coherence and cohesion.

ANSWER

A Comparative Analysis of Alison and Bruce Bechdel in Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

Introduction

Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, delves into the complex dynamics of her relationship with her father, Bruce Bechdel, as they navigate their shared experiences of artistic temperament, relationships, coming out, secretiveness, interactions with other gay individuals, their relationship to literature, and their resistance of gender norms. Through a careful examination of these characteristics and their manifestations in both characters, this paper aims to explore the similarities and differences between Alison and Bruce, while considering the possible reasons behind them. By incorporating textual evidence from Fun Home and drawing insights from two critical articles, this analysis will shed light on the nuanced complexities of the Bechdel family.

Artistic Temperament

Alison and Bruce Bechdel both possess artistic temperaments that shape their lives and relationships. They find solace and self-expression through their respective art forms. Alison’s inclination toward writing and drawing is evident in her meticulous graphic storytelling, while Bruce’s artistic talents are channeled into his meticulous restoration of the family’s historical home. However, while their creative pursuits share a common thread, their artistic temperaments diverge in significant ways. Alison’s art is introspective and self-revelatory, enabling her to explore her own identity and emotions. In contrast, Bruce’s artistic endeavors primarily serve as a facade, concealing his own secrets and desires.

Alison’s self-reflection is exemplified when she observes, “I draw my own reflection, but as usual, I’m several steps behind myself” (Bechdel 64). Here, Alison’s artwork becomes a means of understanding and reconciling her own identity. In contrast, Bruce’s artistic endeavors are presented as a means of maintaining appearances and preserving a facade. In the article “Secrets and Surveillance in Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home,” John Belton notes that Bruce’s meticulous restoration of the family’s home serves as a metaphorical shield, reflecting his desire to create an idealized image of their family life (Belton 258).

Relationship with the Mother/Wife

The relationship between Alison and her mother, Helen, contrasts starkly with Bruce’s relationship with his wife. Alison and Helen share a deep bond, characterized by understanding and empathy. Their shared experiences of living in the shadow of Bruce’s secrets create a common ground for their connection. In contrast, Bruce’s relationship with Helen is marked by distance, misunderstanding, and unfulfilled expectations. 

Alison reflects on her relationship with Helen, stating, “I was Spartacus, crying ‘I’m gay!’ before all the other boys in our house” (Bechdel 47). Here, Alison highlights the emotional connection she shares with her mother and the support she receives during her journey of self-discovery. In contrast, Bruce remains emotionally distant from Helen, unable to establish a genuine connection. In the article “Drawing a Line to Desire: Transgressing Family Boundaries in Fun Home,” Rachel Murray analyzes Bruce’s emotional detachment and the impact it has on his relationships, suggesting that Bruce’s inability to form emotional bonds stems from his own struggles with his sexuality (Murray 104).

Coming Out and Secretiveness

Alison and Bruce’s coming out experiences further illustrate their contrasting personalities and approaches to self-disclosure. While both characters grapple with their sexual identities, their journeys towards self-acceptance and disclosure unfold differently.

Alison’s coming out process is depicted as a gradual exploration and acceptance of her sexuality. She confides in her diary, “I hadn’t yet uttered the phrase ‘I am a lesbian,’ but the thought had taken up residence in my head” (Bechdel 80). Alison’s internal dialogue captures her evolving understanding of her sexuality and her eventual ability to openly acknowledge it. In contrast, Bruce’s coming out remains largely clandestine. He never explicitly discusses his sexual orientation, relying on subtle hints and gestures to communicate his true self to those around him.

The article “Queer Time and the Tragicomic: Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home” by Judith Halberstam explores the theme of secretiveness in Fun Home. Halberstam argues that Bruce’s secrecy is influenced by the oppressive societal norms of his time, causing him to suppress his desires and live a double life (Halberstam 180).

Interactions with Other Gay Individuals

The portrayal of Alison and Bruce’s interactions with other gay individuals provides further insight into their characters and their attitudes towards their own sexuality. 

Alison seeks out a supportive community of fellow gay individuals, finding solace and kinship in these connections. She encounters Joan, a lesbian classmate, with whom she shares a formative romantic relationship. Their interactions allow Alison to explore her sexuality and develop a sense of belonging within the LGBTQ+ community. In contrast, Bruce’s interactions with other gay individuals are shrouded in secrecy and often illicit. His involvement with male lovers remains hidden and serves as a reflection of the oppressive social climate that forced him to suppress his desires.

Relationship to Literature and Gender Norms

Both Alison and Bruce display a strong connection to literature, albeit with differing motivations and implications. Literature serves as a medium for self-reflection and self-discovery for Alison, while for Bruce, it becomes a means of reinforcing societal gender norms.

Alison’s relationship with literature is intertwined with her exploration of her own identity. She draws parallels between her life experiences and the works of literary figures, using them as a framework to understand herself. In contrast, Bruce’s relationship with literature revolves around his obsession with traditional gender roles and expectations. He assigns books to Alison as a means of indoctrinating her into the narrow confines of conventional femininity.

Conclusion

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic offers a nuanced exploration of the similarities and differences between Alison and Bruce Bechdel. Their artistic temperament, relationship with their mother/wife, coming out experiences, secretiveness, interactions with other gay individuals, relationship to literature, and resistance of gender norms shape their identities and inform their actions throughout the memoir. By analyzing these characteristics and drawing insights from critical articles, it becomes clear that while both characters share certain similarities, their divergent approaches to self-expression and self-acceptance highlight the complexities of their individual journeys within the context of their family dynamics. Through the lens of Fun Home, Alison Bechdel invites readers to reflect on the intricacies of identity, sexuality, and family relationships. 

References

 

Bechdel, Alison. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. Houghton Mifflin, 2006.

Belton, John. “Secrets and Surveillance in Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home.” English Language Notes, vol. 47, no. 2, 2009, pp. 251-258.

Halberstam, Judith. “Queer Time and the Tragicomic: Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home.” College Literature, vol. 37, no. 3, 2010, pp. 175-191.

Murray, Rachel. “Drawing a Line to Desire: Transgressing Family Boundaries in Fun Home.” Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction, vol. 57, no. 2, 2016, pp. 103-117.

 

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