The human social structure is based on the grouping of people together based on some characteristic, whether it be nationality, religion, participation in a particular activity or club, or any of the other many social divisions. The solidarity of these groupings is derived from the interpersonal connections. When the most intimate grouping, the nuclear family structure does not have these powerful bonds, it leads to estrangement in its members, and can lead to the collapse of the family unit. However, these bonds are pliable, and are constantly reshaped by social interactions. In Fun Home, water imagery depicting interactions between Alison and her father Bruce is used to increase emotional proximity, whereas water imagery depicting interactions
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Unlike the bathing where Alison and Bruce have a very intimate father-daughter interaction, panels illustrating Alison and Helen swimming show the dissonance in the mother-daughter relationship and their general family structure (173). Alison wants to talk to her mother, but cannot muster up the courage to. This communicative distance is illustrated by separation portrayed on the panel. Alison is drawn completely under the water, whereas Helen is drawn on the surface. Additionally, they are physically traveling in different directions. However, once they stop swimming, which lowers that physical communicative barrier, the mother shares news with Alison herself introduces that creates a larger divide in the family. Moreover, the positioning of Helen and Alison in these frames make them seem separated: In the fourth frame, there is a physical railing in the negative space between them that separates the two in the image. In the third frame, Helen says, “we might have to move.” While this would be a physical movement of the family as a whole, it also shows movement in the relationship between the family members themselves, and the straining relationship between Bruce and the Justice system, as a result of his suppressed sexual desires manifesting themselves in “[buying] a beer for a …show more content…
These moments of internal reflection are important for Alison to determine who she is, and whether or not to express herself based on the individual interactions she has with her parents. While Helen represents the traditional, analytical side of Alison that sees the familial interactions as dangerous, Bruce represents the more emotional and artistic side of Alison, and illustrates the dangers that arise when someone’s personal, sexual, and artistic urges are suppressed. Be reconciling with her father, Alison realizes that she should not be afraid to express herself, which provides justification for her desire to always express who she truly is, irrespective of the strong social pressure not to do
Unlike the bathing where Alison and Bruce have a very intimate father-daughter interaction, panels illustrating Alison and Helen swimming show the dissonance in the mother-daughter relationship and their general family structure (173). Alison wants to talk to her mother, but cannot muster up the courage to. This communicative distance is illustrated by separation portrayed on the panel. Alison is drawn completely under the water, whereas Helen is drawn on the surface. Additionally, they are physically traveling in different directions. However, once they stop swimming, which lowers that physical communicative barrier, the mother shares news with Alison herself introduces that creates a larger divide in the family. Moreover, the positioning of Helen and Alison in these frames make them seem separated: In the fourth frame, there is a physical railing in the negative space between them that separates the two in the image. In the third frame, Helen says, “we might have to move.” While this would be a physical movement of the family as a whole, it also shows movement in the relationship between the family members themselves, and the straining relationship between Bruce and the Justice system, as a result of his suppressed sexual desires manifesting themselves in “[buying] a beer for a …show more content…
These moments of internal reflection are important for Alison to determine who she is, and whether or not to express herself based on the individual interactions she has with her parents. While Helen represents the traditional, analytical side of Alison that sees the familial interactions as dangerous, Bruce represents the more emotional and artistic side of Alison, and illustrates the dangers that arise when someone’s personal, sexual, and artistic urges are suppressed. Be reconciling with her father, Alison realizes that she should not be afraid to express herself, which provides justification for her desire to always express who she truly is, irrespective of the strong social pressure not to do