Alison Bechdel

Best known for her comic strip, *Dykes to Watch Out For,* Alison Bechdel created an atmosphere within the LGBTQ and Feminist communities that made it acceptable to talk about issues in the public sphere.

## Early Life

Alison was born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania in 1960 to Bruce and Helen Bechdel. She was one of three children, happening to be the only female of the triad. Between school and working at the funeral home her father was the director at, Alison began to question her sexuality in later years which becomes prominent in her works. For undergraduate she attended Bard College at Simon's Rock and Oberlin College.

## Work

After college, Bechdel worked as a secretary in New York before transitioning to production manager for a newspaper centered for and around gay and lesbian interests. During her time in Minneapolis at *Equal Time* newspaper, Bechdel grew in popularity because of her comic strip, *Dykes to Watch Out For*, laying out the foundation for gender inequality criticism. Because of the comics new found interest, Bechdel continued with many editions to follow. The original comic strip illuminated what became known as the Bechdel-Wallace Test, or Bechdel Test, it provides readers and viewers with a set of criteria to judge books and movies. The criteria being 1. There must be at least two females in 2. which they must have a conversation about 3. something other than a man. The comic strip was made in the 1980's, and continues to be used to the day.Another of her more popular works was her tragi-comic *Fun Home.* In *Fun Home* Bechdel highlights the relationship between her parents and personal struggles. She talks about how her father, Bruce, was a closested gay men and the impact that had on her when she came out as a lesbian. The graphic memoir also touches upon her literary interest inspired by her father and the major impact his life and death affected hers.

(Some)Writings

1. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic (2006)
2. Dykes to Watch Out For (1986)
3. Are You My Mother? (2012)
4. New Improved! Dykes to Watch Out For (1990)

## Influence

Using the Bechdel-Test, movies and sometimes texts, can be analyzed to see if there are gender or social discrepancies. Despite movie popularity, these movies did not pass the Bechdel-Test.

1. The Social Network
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
3. Finding Nemo
4. The Blind Side

Among many others.

*Fun Home* on the other hand, can be viewed as a commentary on family relations and the importance of stigmas and criticism that gay and lesbian individuals faced during the mid 1900's. How did a middle class family function? Was it socially acceptable to be gay or lesbian during this time? Did the benefits outweigh the social costs? These are some point highlighted from Bechdel's perspective. The time frame of *Fun Home* coincided with the second wave of feminism that focused on equal rights and radicalism even though it wasn't published until many years later. As touched upon by the movement and the tragicomic, gender roles and oppression were emphasized. The text serves as a reflective piece and allows others to gain perspective of small town ideals and a changing America.

## Criticism

One of the major critiques about Alison Bechdel and her work is that the Bechdel test is a waste of time and only adds fuel to the feminist fire. Some state that the test can be invalid because a movie isn't reality so why should the test be used to describe pretend. Another perspective is that women are already underrepresented in film and the public knows this yet still views these movies. What's the point if the industry is still making money?

## Sources

1. Smith, Kyle. “I Retract My Criticism of the Bechdel Test. Kidding.” *National Review*, 17 July 2017, www.nationalreview.com/article/449544/bechdel-test-still-stupid-critics-namecalling-me-havent-changed-my-opinion.
2. “What Was the Second Wave Feminist Movement?” *What Was the Second Wave Feminist Movement? - DailyHistory.org*, dailyhistory.org/What\_was\_the\_Second\_Wave\_Feminist\_Movement%3F.
3. “13 Famous Movies That You Didn't Realize FAIL The Bechdel Test.” *Clipd.com*, 16 May 2016, www.clipd.com/stories/21313/13-famous-movies-that-you-didnt-realize-fail-the-bechdel-test/#page=1.
4. “Alison Bechdel Biography.” *Encyclopedia of World Biography*, www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2007-A-Co/Bechdel-Alison.html.
5. Barounis, Cynthia. “Alison Bechdel and Crip-Feminist Autobiography.” *Journal of Modern Literature*, Indiana University Press, 29 Sept. 2016, muse.jhu.edu/article/631554/pdf.
6. Haynes, Clarence. “Alison Bechdel.” *Biography.com*, A&E Networks Television, 21 Aug. 2015, www.biography.com/people/alison-bechdel-081215.