Published in 2006, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic tells the story of Alison Bechdel's complex relationship with her father, Bruce Bechdel, an English teacher, funeral director, and expert in historical restoration who died in 1980. In the memoir, Bechdel reveals that her father was gay and in the closet: he had multiple affairs with other men, a fact of which Bechdel's mother Helen was unhappily aware, and likely committed statutory rape by seducing and sleeping with a number of teenage boys. Bechdel explores his character and its relationship to her own: Bruce was killed by a truck in 1980, and Bechdel believes that he killed himself. His death occurred four months after Bechdel, then a...
Join Now to View Premium Content
GradeSaver provides access to 2419 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11057 literature essays, 2808 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.
