Obelisks

Obelisks are pointed, tower-like architectural features of ancient Egypt that represent life. Bruce has a collection of obelisks in the memoir, and is later buried beneath an obelisk-shaped tombstone. As Bechdel explains, she does not realize until later that her father’s obsession with obelisks has to do with their shape, resembling an erect human penis.

Sunbeam Bread Truck

A Sunbeam Bread truck hits and kills Bechdel's father when he is 44. The driver of the truck is stunned by the accident, saying that Bechdel's father jumped out in front of the truck. Bechdel now believes that her father did jump out in front of the Sunbeam truck deliberately in order to commit suicide but to make it appear as though it was an accident.

Coming out letter

Bechdel composes a coming out letter to her parents, in which she reveales herself as a lesbian. It is a...