Fun Home 2

Sexual orientation is a big part in Alison’s relationship with her father. I believe that for the longest time Alison felt distanced from her father and also felt as though he was mean and all he cared about was work and fixing up the house. Alison tells her parents that she is a in a relationship with Joan before her father’s death. I believe that this served as a way to bring Alison and her father closer before his death.  Alison and her father went to the movies and they had a discussion of his past and his sexual orientation.  In the beginning of the book Bechdels father had a secret I couldn’t quit put my finger on I felt as though he was hiding behind cleaning and making things perfect just so he could come off as perfect. I felt as though the father didn’t want anyone to know of his flaws and the fact that he likes boys. It took a lot for Alison to come out to her parents and I feel like this is a lot about self discovery. I feel like since Alison lived in a different generation from her father it was easier for her to come out because society didn’t frown on it as much as they did for her father’s generation. I feel as though Alison and her father never had a spectacular relationship but this “coming out” in the movie answered any questions and made her closer with her father right before his death. In the end Bechdels father proved he was there for her at even though she did not believe it all the time. In the end Alison’s father caught her in the pool “ He was there to catch me when I lept.” This is just a demonstration that they didn’t get along but when it was important her father was there. I feel as though it was a very difficult thing for the father to tell his past to Alison, but at the same time I feel that he did it for her and to show her she isn’t alone and he understands.