FUN HOME {PART 2}
discussion by dolphin
Looking Outside the Pages
When I was in the 3rd grade
I thought that I was gay
Cause I could draw, my uncle was
And I kept my room straight
I told my mom, tears rushing down my face
She's like, "Ben, you've loved girls since before Pre-K!"
Tripping, yeah, I guess she had a point, didn't she?
A bunch of stereotypes all in my head
I remember doing the math, like
"Yeah, I'm good at little league"
A pre-conceived idea of what it all meant
For those that like the same sex had the characteristics…
{Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis}
Bonds Between Blogs

Gender roles in society
 What

do they really mean? Matter?
Contrast occurring in life
 “No
life without death”
 The creek running clear because of pollution

Suppression  Pain & Suffering
 Living
a 2-sided life
 Hiding secrets
Activity
We will be exploring gender roles.
 How society affects the personality of people
 Different characteristics rise due to “gender
tradition.”
 Just because you have a trait that might
traditionally fall under the opposite sex’s
“category,” does not mean you are homosexual.

Activity contd.

The steps:



Discuss the roles of a girl and a boy in their community, from birth to 20 years of
age.
Think about how boys and girls are expected to behave, how each is treated
by society, the importance and value placed on the individual, etc.
You will be drawing 2 images



Each person make a cartoon or image depicting a particular trait that seems
to be “forced upon” the opposite gender.
Also create a cartoon of a trait you have or you know someone has
suppressed or kept hidden because they feared rejection.
Combine the cartoons at random on a sheet of paper to symbolize the
freedom we have or should have to follow our passions whether or not they fit
under the umbrella of society’s rules.
Q&A
Inspiration
“It is strange how we can define objects of our reality,
as we often prefer to do, by describing what we are
not as opposed to what we are. “
(Black Bear)
Some of Bechdel’s issues with her father and herself
spring from her strict, stereotypical definition of
masculinity. Men shouldn’t like to garden or dress nicely
and women should wear dresses and strive to be
beautiful.
(Hummingbird)
 How
much does society affect one’s
personality? Has it affected yours? Do you feel
pressure to me “manly” or “girly?”
 How
do you suggest someone develop in the
modern world and not be influenced from
societal rules?
Inspiration
Bechdel’s “reverse narration” validates this idea
by showing us Bruce-the-monster before Brucethe-human. She gives us an impression and
then utterly destroys it.
(Raven)
Bruce made his daughter the way she was by
giving her an example of what she didn't want for
herself.
(Timber wolf)




What is meant by Bechdel’s statement and continued idea
that “there is no life without death?”
Do you have an example of a time when you saw contrast in
your life – similar or not to Alison’s situation – Bruce was a
deceitful man, yet was the ultimate support for his daughter….
?
How did Bruce’s suppressed emotions affect Alison and vice
versa?
In Alison’s situation, do you think her parents (or figurative lack
there of) or society affected her character and sexual dilemma
more?
Thanks for engaging, discussing, and being
the best class ever!
xoxo, Dolphin