The Theme Of Identity In Alison Bechdel's Fun Home

Line of inquiry: How does Alison Bechdel depict childhood to explore identity

Since the dawn of human existence, every individual carries an entity: their unique identity. Identity is who someone is internally, their qualities, values, and defining characteristics. There are different categories of identity, such as sexual identity, personal identity, cultural identity, and countless more. A person’s identity is special for it “has continuity, as one feels to be the same person over time despite many changes in their circumstances.” (The Berkley Well-Being Institute). Unfortunately, many struggle to realize their own identity and, as a result, feel uncomfortable in their skin. This is often a result of societal expectations or norms. These

As Bechdel grew up the topic of queerness was rarely discussed in traditional nuclear families. The experiences Bechdel shares with her readers in “Fun Home” are therefore groundbreaking for a young lesbian. Stories such as the time she traveled to Europe with her family. She had gone to the beach wearing only shorts and exclaims how “such freedom from convention was intoxicating” (73). This strong feeling leaves a lasting impact on her, the realization that she deviates from the traditional girl sets in. Bechdel hypothesizes that this moment determined that her future life would be unconventional. She analyses this euphoric feeling of excitement by using similes. For example, the simile in the story of how, in her boredom, Bechdel discovers the exciting experience of wearing men’s clothing. She exclaims that it “was nearly a mystical pleasure, like finding [herself] fluent in a language [she’d] never been taught” (pg. IDK). The simile used in the sentence is powerful, for it not only demonstrates the extent of disbelief that this moment brings, but also creates a tool for readers’ understanding; the familiarity and comfortability of language, and how that is similar to sexuality. Although she had never been educated about sexual identity, this experience proves that being true to her queerness and masculinity feels as comfortable to her as the language she

During childhood, Bechdel explains how she made up for her father’s lack of masculinity in the family. On page 95, there is a panel that shows young Alison glancing at Bruce adjusting flowers as she watches cowboy shows (a genre traditionally associated with masculinity). This is done strategically, using specific character positioning to create contrast. Unlike photos, all details in illustrations are purposeful. It is the illustrator’s choice where to position the characters and how they appear. By positioning her and Bruce in one room yet separated by different interests, one can see not only the distance between them but also their differing mindsets and values. By defining her father’s interests as different from hers, one can achieve a better overall understanding of who she is. Bechdel directly contrasts herself and Bruce on page 15, explaining how she was the “butch to his nelly”. Under this, she displays an argument between the two regarding her clothing, which Bruce desired to be more fashionable. This establishes that Bruce wants to push his femininity on Alison as a father and a repressed queer man, desiring to live vicariously through her. Therefore Bruce constitutes a major barrier to Alison’s exploration of queer identity and self during childhood. This repression is depicted in the flashback of the diner on page 118. A