Identity

A person's identity is the essence of who they really are. Many struggle to find their own identity and must often manage between various identities. In Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home, Art Spiegelman’s Maus, and Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis, the motif of identity is illustrated throughout the novels as they contain characters who have hidden personas. In Fun Home, Bruce Bechdel’s hidden identity is used to deny his own sexual orientation, even though displaying and engaging in homosexual activity. Art Spiegelman, writer of Maus, self-discovers his true identity while wearing a mouse mask. Marjane Satrapi’s childhood consists of her revolting under the rule of the Shah while wearing the veil. Despite the use of masks, these characters are unable to repress their true identity.

Fun Home’s Alison Bechdel reveals her lesbian identity which is built upon the closeted homosexuality of her father. It is speculated that the cause of Bruce Bechdel’s suicide is because he was unable to handle the contradiction between his false identity (as a heterosexual family-man) and his true identity (as a homosexual). Once the inevitable reveal of his true identity occurs, it is as if the death of his false identity was so real to him that it took him with it. Throughout the graphic novel, Bruce’s hidden identity will often reveal itself to the reader. For example: “He was an alchemist of appearance, a savant of surface, a Daedalus of décor” (6). One might begin to question Bruce’s love for flourishes and perfection. His character becomes more complex as you consider that he is married with kids. Bruce’s obsessive need to restore his Victorian home demonstrates the distance between him and his family. This barrier is connected with the protection of his h...

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...if of identity in the novel. He tells Marjane: “Don’t ever forget who you are. (148)” This quote is very significant as it shows how her father doesn’t want her to repress her true self. He is proud that she refuses to conform to something she doesn’t believe.

It has become evident that it is nearly impossible to repress one’s true self. Bruce Bechdel’s hidden identity gave him a distant life from his family and a tragic ending once revealed. Vladek Spiegelman, jack of all trades, could not escape his Jewish faith and was forced to live through the Holocaust. Marjane Satrapi, unable to contain her outspoken opinions and activism, moves to Austria for her own protection. As shown in these novels, maintaining contradicting personas can lead to trouble later on. Whether it be denying, discovering, or defying your identity, it is important to stay true to yourself.