Fiction and the Lives of the Bechdels

" …The most arresting thing about the tape is its evidence of both my parents at work, intent and separate… It’s childish, perhaps, to grudge them the sustenance of their creative solitude. But it was all that sustained them, and thus was all-consuming. From their example, I learned quickly to feed myself."

- Alison Bechdel, Fun Home

    

    The Bechdels, as portrayed by Alison Bechdel, lived lives cloaked in fiction. Bruce, in particular, drowned himself in the painted stories of novels and meticulously fabricated a life for his own family. From the curtains on the windows of their antique home to the outfits they wore to church, Bruce's work only covered the darkest of secrets. But Bruce was not the only Bechdel to live through fiction. Helen, Alison's mother, was a devoted actress. Although Alison does not dig too deep into her relationship with her mom in this novel, it seems that Helen threw herself completely into her roles, possibly to escape reality. 

    As the quote above states, Alison was well-aware of her family's detachment from a young age. Seeming to exist only as a prop in her parent's public façade, Alison had no choice but to take care of her needs by herself. To Alison, it felt as though she was trapped in her own story. Her means of escape came in the form of a discovery about her sexuality. Once again, she made this discovery through books at her local library. As she continues her research of this new possibility, she grows further and further from the life that had been painted for her. 

    Alison tells the story of her family through this novel by comparing the scenes of her life to works of literature, creating an intertwined story of fiction and reality. The last line of Fun Home suggests a breaking free from the traditional narrative. She says, "...in the tricky reverse narration that impels our entwined stories, he was there to catch me when I leapt" (Bechdel 232). The whole of chapter seven seems to reframe her life from a more neutral perspective, and this closing sentence hints at a positive view of Bruce, and the reality of his time as a parent. 

Esther's Coming-Of-Age

   "There ought, I thought, to be a ritual for being born twice--patched, retreaded and approved for the road..."

- Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

    Esther Greenwood has been given the opportunity of a lifetime, working in New York as a guest editor of a fashion magazine. She knows that other girls would be envious of her position and success. Everything seems to be going on the right track for Esther, as a successful man is smitten with her, and she is applying for a prestigious writing program. But what is meant to be a life-changing transition into adulthood-- her "coming-of-age"--spirals into a deep depression. Does Esther ruin her own coming-of-age? Does the book conclude with her having one at all?

    Throughout her stay in New York, Esther is continually aware of her lack of emotion regarding her current life. While her peers seem excited and passionate, she is frustratingly miserable. On page 3 she says, "I guess I should have been excited the way most of the other girls were, but I couldn't get myself to react..." (Plath). Despite her doubts, she expresses desire to experience New York and the life she had anticipated. However, she is easily influenced by her friend Doreen and spends many nights partying instead of working on her assignments.

    Something I found interesting about Esther's journey before her hospitalization is that she experienced all of the stereotypical "coming-of-age" moments, but in a twisted way. For example, she got involved in a relationship in which he proposed, but the whole time she was unsatisfied and feeling trapped. Furthermore, she realizes that his ideals do not match her expectations. This reinforces the idea that Esther is searching for the perfect life, even if she does not know what it is. 

    Altogether, what was Esther's coming-of-age? I believe that it was actually the process of getting rid of all expectations. Her journey through the inpatient homes represents a "rebirth" rather than a gaining of maturity or knowledge. She even mentions that she gains weight which could be compared to the losing of "baby fat." Overall, her coming-of-age contests the typical representations of growing up, although it might be more relatable to many.