A lot of graphic novels work with Intertextuality, because as a visual medium they can represent or quote another text even better than a normal novel. Alison Bechdel’s "Fun Home" is a prime example of those graphic novels that use intertextuality. Her memoir is full of pop culture and book references. My thesis is that the literary works and stories she has woven into her story mirror her own story and exist to further illustrate her struggles coming of age.
The structure of the paper is going to be the following: first comes a short introduction on Intertextuality assisted by Graham Allen’s "Introduction to Intertextuality" and Roland Barthes’ "Death of the Author". The next part, which is going to be the main part, focuses of course on Intertextuality in "Fun Home". Starting off, the first subchapter is going to be about the repeated usage of the myth of Daedalus and Icarus as a display of the relationship between Alison and her father Bruce Bechdel. I would like to search for the connection between this analogy, especially how it was used and why.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Introduction to Intertextuality
- 3. Intertextuality in Fun Home
- 3.1 Daedalus and Icarus - Bruce and Alison
- 3.2 An Ideal Husband?
- 3.3 Realization through Books
- 3.4 Revelations from the Dictionary
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the use of intertextuality in Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir, Fun Home, to understand how it reflects Bechdel's personal experiences and illuminates the complex dynamics within her family. The analysis will focus on how literary and cultural references shape the narrative and contribute to the overall meaning.
- Intertextuality as a narrative tool in graphic memoirs
- The relationship between Alison and her father, Bruce Bechdel
- Alison's coming-of-age and sexual awakening
- The role of literature and cultural references in shaping personal identity
- The use of visual elements in conveying intertextual connections
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the focus of the paper: an exploration of intertextuality in Alison Bechdel's Fun Home. It highlights how the graphic novel format effectively utilizes intertextuality to enhance storytelling. The introduction introduces the thesis that the literary and cultural references woven into Bechdel's narrative mirror her personal struggles and contribute to illustrating her coming-of-age experiences. The structure of the paper, outlining the analysis of specific intertextual references, is also detailed.
2. Introduction to Intertextuality: This chapter provides a theoretical framework for understanding intertextuality, drawing on the work of Graham Allen and Roland Barthes. Allen's concept of intertextuality as reader interpretation and the potential for meaning loss without familiarity with referenced works is explained. Barthes' "Death of the Author" is introduced, highlighting how the author's identity is removed from the text, creating a neutral space for reader interpretation. The chapter connects these theories to the analysis of graphic novels, particularly memoirs like Fun Home, where the blurred lines between author and protagonist create opportunities for questioning credibility and plausibility.
3. Intertextuality in Fun Home: This chapter serves as an overview of how intertextuality functions within Fun Home itself, foreshadowing the detailed analysis that follows in the subchapters. It introduces the primary intertextual references that will be explored in the paper, namely the Daedalus and Icarus myth, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, and other literary works that influenced Bechdel's life and shaped her understanding of sexuality. The chapter frames the intertextual references as tools that illuminate Bechdel's growth and the power dynamics within her household.
Keywords
Intertextuality, graphic memoir, Fun Home, Alison Bechdel, family relationships, coming-of-age, sexuality, literary references, cultural references, visual narrative, mythology (Daedalus and Icarus), Oscar Wilde, personal identity.
Fun Home: A Study of Intertextuality - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the use of intertextuality in Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir, Fun Home, to understand how it reflects Bechdel's personal experiences and illuminates the complex family dynamics. It explores how literary and cultural references shape the narrative and contribute to the overall meaning.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include intertextuality as a narrative tool in graphic memoirs; the relationship between Alison and her father, Bruce Bechdel; Alison's coming-of-age and sexual awakening; the role of literature and cultural references in shaping personal identity; and the use of visual elements in conveying intertextual connections.
What theoretical framework is used to understand intertextuality?
The paper draws on the work of Graham Allen, focusing on intertextuality as reader interpretation, and Roland Barthes' "Death of the Author," highlighting how authorial identity is removed, creating space for reader interpretation. These theories are applied to the analysis of graphic novels, particularly memoirs.
Which specific intertextual references are analyzed in detail?
The paper analyzes the Daedalus and Icarus myth, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, and other literary works that influenced Bechdel's life and shaped her understanding of sexuality. These references are examined as tools illuminating Bechdel's growth and the power dynamics in her family.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction establishing the focus and thesis; a chapter introducing intertextuality; a chapter detailing intertextual references in Fun Home, broken down into sub-chapters focusing on specific examples; and a conclusion. Chapter summaries are provided within the document.
What is the significance of the graphic novel format in this analysis?
The paper highlights how the graphic novel format effectively utilizes intertextuality to enhance storytelling and how visual elements contribute to conveying intertextual connections.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Intertextuality, graphic memoir, Fun Home, Alison Bechdel, family relationships, coming-of-age, sexuality, literary references, cultural references, visual narrative, mythology (Daedalus and Icarus), Oscar Wilde, personal identity.
What is the overall goal of the analysis?
The paper aims to show how intertextuality in Fun Home serves not only as a narrative device, but also as a reflection of Bechdel's personal journey and the complexities of her family relationships, ultimately shaping her understanding of herself and the world around her.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2018, Intertextuality in Alison Bechdel's "Fun Home", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/513223
