March 31, 2011

It is fairly easy to criticize the story that Bechdel tells in her story, but I feel it is saying more about life and speaks to those who don’t have a cookie cut one. Everyone wants to identify with their parents and Bechdel just so happened to identify with her father more when it came to matters dealing with sexuality. Her father was a closeted homosexual and was jealous of her because she could be open with hers. Homosexuality in women is generally more accepted that that of men. She was interested in protesting with gay rights groups at her school. And I am pretty sure her father was unable to do so.

But the next question that arose through discussion in class was can you make somebody homosexual? And I feel that homosexuality can stem from different places depending upon the individual. Meaning if you met 45 homosexuals then you have met 45 different people with different with reasons why they identify as a homosexual.

Bechdel’s story is one of a coming of age for a family. How tells every significant characters past to shed light on why they ended up where they did. I loved the concept. Just not too thrilled with the contents.