The Simpsons as a Critique of Consumer Culture:
Summary:
This article focuses on the comparison between the FOX sitcom “The Simpsons” and the consumer world of America. Each character in the show stands for a certain idea or symbol in American life and culture. The Simpsons family together is the exact representation of a middle-class American family who is stuck in an inescapable capitalist world. Homer represents the man who is working at a job he hates but has to stay at because of the money it provides for his family. Marge represents the classic house wife who gets little respect or attention from her husband and whose place is in the house. Lisa is the character who represents “rationality” in the Simpson’s world which puts her in the minority group. Bart’s character represents the injustice and cruelty of the American educational system. Along with the different characters all representing certain universal themes in everyday life the episodes are centered on issues like politics, the environment, and capitalism.

Reaction:
The topic of this piece of writing was something that I had never even thought about before, not that I’m an avid “Simpsons” watcher but I have seen the show. I am assuming that while watching it I noticed how Homer treated Marge or how Lisa was always the one with the good ideas but I never put it together that the issues were symbolic. The fact that the show is “not personality driven; it is about the conflict of ideas” is extremely interesting and makes the show unique in its way. I also thought that the portrayal of the two political parties being the “two sides of the same evil coin” was not only clever but had a lot of truth behind it. The candy which is symbolic for any addiction in a society, drugs, food, sex, etc… was an interesting scene especially when Marge argued against the addiction but gave in to Homer in the end. It shows the male dominance over women and the expectation that women do what their husband says to make him happy. Although this assumption is becoming less and less prominent in American culture as women are beginning to focus more on career as opposed to family, it is still extremely evident in households. Lastly, the entire picture that “The Simpson’s” portrays is disappointing and sad because of its truth and reality when it comes to middle class American families.

Reflection:
This reading definitely correlated with last week’s reading of Simone de Beauvoir’s “The Second Sex”. It is evident in reading this text and watching “The Simpsons” that Marge is made to feel like the Other and she fits right into the cast made for American women in today’s society. Her job is within the house, cooking, cleaning, and fulfilling the wishes of her husband. It is so sad to think that most people in the U.S. are of the middle class standing and that this is a reality for them. I know that my dad hates the job he is at right now but he doesn’t have any other choice because he has to make enough money to support his family. He is trapped inside the system of capitalism and nothing short of winning the lottery can get him out of it. I never would have thought that an animated television show would have so much insight into the way things actually work and the lives of millions of middle class Americans.

Questions:
1) Do you agree that Democrats and Republicans are on either side of an evil coin?
2) Can you think of another character from a show, book, movie, etc… that portrays capitalism?
3) Are children in public schools predetermined to fail?