While the majority of the graphic novel focuses on Bechdel and her relationship with her father, including the differences and similarities of their personalities, I think that there is a lot that can still be explored between them. Bechdel's fathers death was a mystery to Alison, who had come out to her parents not too long before.
Since Alison was aware of her father's gayness, it might have made it easier for her to come out to her parents, and she was probably curious about his reaction to it. She thought it could create a connection between them, and when she came to visit from college, he began to open up slowly, especially through literature. Though at first Alison was flattered and excited that her dad was starting to take interest in her, it also started becoming a burden to her. Once again she had expectations from him, and she slowly started to move away from books and instead began trying to get him to open up about his past. Maybe this was why Alison began thinking that she was the reason her father committed suicide: not only because he wasn't able to be open about his sexuality, but maybe because Alison was opening up his past wounds and his shameful affairs.
Personally, I feel as though Alison was not the cause of her father's death. It could be true that, as you said, Alison opened his wounds, but I feel like seeing his daughter embrace her sexuality and have to deal with the potential conflict of it would encourage him if anything. I think I'm just really trying to be optimistic about it all because it's a really sad reason to commit suicide and I don't want to believe it to be true.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of Jeffree Star, butttthis song is about the struggle with gay bullying, and encourages the listener to stay strong and that they're perfect the way they are.