Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

Summary: Through her graphic novel, Alison Bechdel examines her childhood from an adult perspective. She recounts what it was like growing up with her father, who was at times angry and harsh, and other times understanding. Between them they shared a love of books and literature, and it is through the metaphors brought forward in these stories that Alison recounts her childhood. It isn’t until Alison is in college that she realizes her father is struggling to accept his sexuality and the events of his own life. This is mirrored with Alison’s own self-discovery. 

Critical Evaluation: Alison Bechdel’s use of literary allusion and metaphor as the backbone throughout Fun Home creates a detached and yet fully aware narration that keeps the reader fully invested, wondering what could possibly happen next. This happens countless times throughout the book. Some examples include comparing her father’s letters to James Joyce’s Ulysses, her father himself to both Daedalus and Icarus, and her and her family’s circumstances as The Importance of Being Earnest. Like we all do, Bechdel searches for meaning in the events that transpired in both her and her father’s lifetimes by comparing them to the literature that they both loved. Although this book carries fairly adult themes, teens will appreciate this attempt at connecting with a parent, especially a parent with whom one’s relationship is strained. This comparison to the arts continues even as Bechdel reflects on her own situation, saying things such as, “I’d been upstaged, demoted from protagonist in my own drama to comic relief in my parents’ tragedy” (2006, p. 58). 

Bechdel’s use of art in the form of a graphic novel allows her to use these literary allusions so flawlessly. Without them, those who hadn’t read the classics or were unaware of their plots would be completely lost within the stories. The art illustrates not only Bechdel’s tale, but also the ones she references. She illustrates the novel in simple colors, black, white, and blue shadow, however her drawings are intricate and contain plenty of detail for readers to enjoy and take in.

One of most interesting things Bechdel manages to do in Fun Home is present a fairly objective view of the characters, mainly her father. She very clearly outlines the things he’s done and the mistakes he’s made. She even recounts her mixed feelings on the matters, and manages to explain his actions, while not making excuses. Therefore, at the end of the novel readers are forced to decide for themselves what they make of him...as opposed to just agreeing or disagreeing with Bechdel. 

Ultimately, Fun Home is an autobiography about self discovery, and how we frame that self discovery within our childhoods. It discusses parental and sibling relationships, identity, and examines the heartbreaking reality of the many unknowns that come after the death of a loved one. 

Reader’s Annotation: Alison Bechdel examines her father’s life and her relationship with him after his death, and the startling realization that neither of them are straight.