BildungsroMay

To a certain extent, we all carry remnants of our past with us. Whether it be a physical scar or something not immediately visible, our past stays with us as we grow up. The BB gun fight in Sag Harbor was symbolic in many ways. For one, it serves as a coming-of-age marker, where Benji and his friends have to fend for themselves instead of sticking together. The remnant of the memory-- the BB stuck above Benji's eye-- acts as a constant reminder of that event and that summer.  Had they worn the goggles Benji suggested earlier, Benji would not have a BB stuck near his eye. Along with being beaten up by his dad in the same chapter, this section of the book explores the consequences of toxic masculinity in Benji's life. Benji learns the cost of risky behavior to maintain his reputation.  Additionally, Benji's friends refusing to let him go to the hospital because it would get them in trouble shows that they prioritize themselves over Benji's health. Even though we momentar...

The wallet situation in "Goose fair" proves to be quite the ethical dilemma. Should Jason have kept the wallet for his own good instead of returning it? Should he have even picked it up at all? Or did Jason do the right thing by picking it up and returning it to Ross Wilcox? While it may not be the most ethical, stealing the wallet would've the perfect way for Jason to get back at Ross Wilcox without directly confronting him. And better yet, Ross would never know it was him that took it. So why shouldn't Jason? After all, doesn't he deserve it after everything he's been through? Having just read "Maggot", I personally hoped Jason would keep the money to compensate for what he's been through.  Jason definitely considers keeping the wallet, especially after he realizes how much money it contains (for reference, 600 pounds in 1982 is the equivalent of $2,553.13 dollars today), but his  perspective changes as he learns about Ross' abusive father....

The title "Fun Home" gives off the impression that Fun Home  is a lighthearted story. With no other context provided, the "Fun Home" described alone almost reminds one of a circus.  Ignoring the second half of the title, the "Fun Home" aspect either alludes to the fact that Bruce operates a funeral home, or ironically depicts their family dynamic as "fun."  There are two interpretations of the "Fun Home" Bechdel describes-- the first being the funeral home Bruce operates. This is the most obvious literal definition, as "Fun Home" is an abbreviation of "funeral home." Bechdel could be ironically painting the funeral home as a fun second-home she spent a good chunk of her childhood hanging out in.  Alternatively, "Fun Home" could be used to describe Bechdel's awkward family dynamics. While "fun home" is the literal abbreviation of "funeral home," Bechdel's family has a much larger ...