The Cost of Being Different
After reading Jason's story in Black Swan Green, and from what we've read so far in Fun Home, a common theme becomes visible. We see both of our protagonists face the pressures of "fitting in", of being like everyone else. It causes them to change, put on a facade to find comfort and safety. Both Jason and Alison hide aspects about themselves and struggle to live as if they're both under constant scrutiny. Jason with his stutter and passion for poetry and Alison with her sexuality. The only place where these two can be themselves is when they're alone. The power of social influence almost makes these two hate how they are, makes them want to be different. In Black Swan Green the pressure comes from classmates and in Fun Home, it's mostly exuded by Alison's mother.
Just as their insecurities are similar, so are their coming of age. Both Alison and Jason learn to accept who they are, and no longer fall victim to their differences. Jason's transformation occurs when his secret finally comes out. His worst nightmare comes true and after experiencing it, he learns to no longer care. He learns that he's above the bullies and no longer needs to hide his stutter nor his "nerdiness". Its a beautiful moment and reminds me of how Esther bell jar is lifted off her. Alison learns to accept her sexuality once Bruce tells her about himself. All this time, she believed that her coming out of the closet cause her father to take his own life but she learns that he too, was gay. This and her first girlfriend Joan, who is much more open about her lesbian identity, propel Alison towards a feeling of acceptance and furthers her understanding about herself.
Both of these novels touch on the importance of accepting oneself and learning how to overcome social pressure. No matter who you are, how you identify, you can never please everyone. There are always people who will bring you down. What's important at the end of the day is how you respond to it.
I love how you compared the novels that we've read in this class. Arguably, I would say that Jason's coming-of-age or acceptance of himself was not really one moment or event after the initial exposing but rather a series of long eras of growth and learning about himself. However, I do agree that seeing both Jason and Alison learn to accept these parts of themselves that they hid from society is really powerful. I also wonder though, how and if these characters will continue to grow and change because as Esther from the Bell Jar has said, we don't know when that bell jar will descend again. Especially in the case of Jason, where the novel quite literally ends telling us that it's not the end, is it really going to be this happy, ribbon tied ending of growth? What if he gets bullied again at his new school? It makes me wonder if he will again succumb to this social pressure or if this initial experience will drive him through it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Danbi, in all of the stories we have read so far, these moments of acceptance and identity epiphanies all are gradual and slow. It's not one moment, rather, it is a culmination of moments. I also agree with you in that even when they do find who they are, they know that they may/will change in the future and that aspect is scary and uncertain. So, everything feels perfect for these characters who have been liberated and who have grown, but how long will it last?
DeleteYeah I definitely agree, the big theme that I noticed in black swan green was how the only way that Jason becomes truly "popular" by the end is by taking away this facade and being himself.
ReplyDeleteThey both start the novel with tons of expectations and anxiety because of those expectations, and then end out confident in their own identities. It's a really inspiring change to watch happen, and the books often hint that if the characters tried to "fit in" just like everyone else, they would definitely
ReplyDeleteend up unhappy. They kind of create their own destiny.
That is very true. Exposing and being your true self is often scary for many people. Everyone is afraid that people will not like who they see, which then translates to how they view themselves. I agree that being yourself will mean having those moments where people do not like you, but the reward is so much better. Even though you have to endure so many sacrifices, the ability to be confident in who you are, do the things that you want, and spend time with the people that you care about is so much more rewarding.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice that you brought together all these different novels we've read this year, and I would say that's a really common theme in really any "coming of age content". Many times the plot revolves around them developing a confidence in their identity. I mean, how often do you see a coming of age movie where the socially isolated kid changes themselves to fit in with the popular ones and is actually happy and fulfilled like that? Almost never, so what really lies at the center of these narratives is discovering/coming to terms with yourself the way you are. Really great post!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you connected the Allison's and Jason's experiences of existing as people who are seen as different, only to accept their differences. This feels like a pretty basic coming of age trope present in any teen movie or book but it still raises many important questions regarding individuality. At what point is it more worth it to act similar to everyone else and hide your differences? Is that ever the case?
ReplyDeleteYes, I really agree with what you're saying. For these characters (and most people, I think), understanding that it is ok to be different is integral to coming-of-age. For Jason in particular it's more about not needing to be popular/fitting in, which is also really important. I found it so unusual that Bechdel doesn't talk at all about elementary, middle, or high school because often those are the settings for these types of novels.
ReplyDeleteI really like your comparisons of Jason and Alison. I think in many ways their coming-of-age is quite similar. Like you mention, they learn that being themselves is enough and that they don’t have to conform to try and fit in. I also think in some ways that their coming-of-age is different. I think in Fun Home, we see much more of the outside influences that affect Alison, but in Black Swan Green, we get a better idea of Jason’s own idea of himself. Even if he’s not fully conscience of it, his ‘confessions’ to us help us get a better direct understanding of him while with Alison, there are parts we have to infer based on the outside forces that played a part in her coming-of-age.
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