IN THE SHADOW OF YOUNG GIRLS IN FLOWER

In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower is a pictorial narrative written by Alison Bechdel that is told from the perspective of the writer. She goes back in time to her childhood, and discussed the nature of her father and their relationship in a way that alluded to the basic message/purpose of the story, but never directly stated it until the last few pages.

Bechdel, who narrates the story, described her frustration with her father and his seemingly obsessive tendencies surrounding her appearance and his garden through panels of comics. She would never state that her father was any specific way (aside from the sissy comment), but often alluded to it through his behavior and his inclination to stray away from the things a stereotypical father would do.

In a way, she described her own journey of sexuality through the behavior of her father. His struggle to enjoy masculine things, and his appreciation for such feminine touches (like a barret in the hair, or a skirt instead of shorts), slowly revealed the feelings of the author as he pushed those preferences onto her. She reflected the simililarity in her proclivity towards more masculine behvaior, clothing, and looks, and how she felt limted and confined to a social script that her father was ensuring she followed.

Bechdel really began to blossom after the passing of her father. She not only had access to resources and opportunities to explore more about her sexuality, but she was also not held back by the willfulness of her father. Once he passed, Bechdel saw the side of her father that she had always assumed was there through some photos, and in a way, I feel that she got a sense of closure from them. She saw him feely expressing himself through clothes and saw his lover (the boy who would help him garden) flexible wrists.

While I do not have any was to personally relate to this story, I know that there are millions of people who do and who will. This piece was written as a guide for others who may be struggling with the same feelings and situations as Bechdel was, and this account can guide individuals through their own journeys of sexuality as they render their own narratives through personal experience and give them that bit of confidence, assurance, or comfort that they may be looking for.