'A Moment In Chapter 4 Of Freud's'

This moment in Chapter 4 (118.1) is a powerful image. We see, in this moment, the person that Alison sees in herself. We also see, in her father's reaction (and his words), the disdain for the woman who lives precisely as she chooses to be. She's not ashamed, or hiding, or in any closet. In the next couple of panels, Bruce practically shames Alison into admitting that there is something wrong with looking like this woman. His words are, I've no doubt, well-intentioned and motivated by the fear he lives with in embracing his true feelings about his homosexuality. Then, Bechdel shows herself reluctantly being led away from the one thing with which she feels familiar and comfortable (119.1).

The saddest thing about this panel (and Alison's recognition