Bodily Depiction of Emotional Expression - Bechdel’s Fun Home, Ostertag’s The Girl from the Sea, and Tamaki and Valero-O'Connell’s Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with

Abstract

Queer representation in young adult literature has become more common in the literary canon. Coming-of-age narratives highlighting lesbian identities are often overlooked, typically appearing in the background of LGBTQ+-themed storylines. This thesis examines the shift in graphic novels, such as Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag, and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell where these works highlight lesbian identities, thereby making them the central focus of the narrative. This study underscores how graphic novels are used as a medium to portray the journey of self-discovery and identity exploration by young lesbian characters which includes a portrayal of how bodily depiction through emotional expressions serve as pivotal elements to support the narratives. By focusing on the interrelation between visual and textual storytelling, this thesis also emphasizes how crucial graphic novels are in providing representation of lesbian identities by offering a nuanced depiction of their expressions within the dynamic between characters, emotional expressions, and also how the storylines depict various relations, may they be romantic, familial or platonic. As this medium continues to evolve, it provides a platform for expanding more inclusive storytelling and cultivating a deeper understanding of lesbian identities within the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum.