In chapter seven (The Antihero’s Journey), we get a
closer look of Alison and her father’s relationship. When he took the kids on a
trip to New York City, Alison was exposed to homosexual men, and she never
really met such obvious homosexuals before; so this was somewhat of a turning
point for Alison. We also learn that Alison and her father connect from their
love for literature. Alison takes her fathers’ English class in school, and
truly enjoys it. Other students in the class don’t pay attention much, and
Alison says, “Sometimes it was as if dad and I were the only ones in the room”
(p. 199) This reveals an unspoken bond that her and her father share, and it
shows that she actually enjoys this time with her father. In the car ride her
father says, “You’re the only on in that class worth teaching.” And Alison
responds with, “It’s the only class I have worth taking” (p 199). This uncovers
the deep respect both Alison and her father have for on another.
When
Alison goes home for a break, she talks to her father about novels she’s read.
He chooses a few he thinks she’ll enjoy, and she actually reads them. This
exchange of books between Alison and her father is another example of the way
they show respect to one another. When Alison talks her mother, she can see the
pain she’s in by staying with her father. Alison says, “It was the first time
my mother had spoken to me as another adult,” (p 217) which was comforting to
Alison because when she was younger, she couldn't talk to her mother without
feeling a little uncomfortable. At the end of the novel, Alison comes to terms
with her father’s death; that it was a suicide. She says, “But in the tricky
reverse narration that impels our entwined stories, he was there to catch me
when I leapt” (p 232). Alison is basically saying that when she was ready to “come
out,” he was there to support her, but when he was struggling with his
sexuality, she was too late to save him.
-April Cust
I agree with April. In this last and final chapter, we are exposed very much into the relationship between Alison and her father. I agree with April when she stated," We also learn that Alison and her father connect from their love for literature. Alison takes her fathers’ English class in school, and truly enjoys it. Other students in the class don’t pay attention much, and Alison says, “Sometimes it was as if dad and I were the only ones in the room." Alison told her father that this was the class that was only worth taking and by her saying this really opened up her and her fathers relationship in my opinion. It gave them more to talk about and he always suggested things that Alison should read. They have respect and love for one another. At the end of this book Alison is saying that when she came out about her sexuality her father was there to support her. He was always there for her to "catch her when she leaps."
ReplyDeleteI felt it was really nice to finally see a positive side of Alison and her fathers relationship. To see them bond over their love for their book and their sexuality was a big step for them. When Alison comes out to her father he says "I'll admit that I have been somewhat envious of the "new" freedom(?) that appears on campuses today" (pg. 212). This is the first time we see her father almost step down from his "high horse" and take a second to really express his feelings. I disagree with April when she said that she came to terms with her fathers death. I feel that when Alison said "He did hurtle into the sea, of course. But in the tricky reverse narration that impels our entwined stories, he was there to catch me when I leapt" (pg.232), she felt guilty for not being there for him when he committed suicide when he was there for her when she came out as a lesbian.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what the others have said! I think it was great to finally see a side of Alison’s father that was not seen throughout the novel. His acknowledgement of his daughter’s love for reading shows that he finally gave her the attention she yearned for as a child. I think finally showing this side of her father at the very end leaves off with a generally good impression of him. Alison expressing the fact that she feels guilty for not being there to “catch him”, tells her readers that he was like her in a way. Her father’s English class served as the bridge that allowed them to connect with each other. I also agree with Stephanie’s insight on how Alison “she felt guilty for not being there for him when he committed suicide when he was there for her when she came out as a lesbian”. That too served as an unspoken bond between them, especially when they were riding in the car together. Maybe she never will come to full terms with her father’s death, but in her heart she can remember those little moments with him that were good and use those to help heal and move forward.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that it was nice to see her father show support for his daughter. It was also interesting to see how they connected over their love of literature. I also agree with Stephanie's idea that she feels guilty for not being there for him when he committed suicide but he was there for her when she came out as a lesbian. Then at the end of the chapter it seems to me that she does not come to terms with her fathers death.
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