The Simpsons Compiled Greed Greed is found in a variety of ways in the Simpsons, such as desire for attention, and the desire to have more at the cost of others. Attention Bart epitomizes the greed for attention, frequently behaving in reckless or irrational ways to get attention – and generally acting out. For example, in episode three of season 17, Bart is seen pretending to throw himself off a cliff to get his parents to pay attention to him, rather than their argument. He does, indeed end up falling off the cliff, causing both Homer and Marge to risk their lives to save him. However, almost all of the townspeople appear greedy for recognition, such as when the townspeople become angry at a real witch for winning the costume party, because as a real witch she wasn’t truly costumed (episode 4 of season 17). Money Montgomery Burns is the perfect examples for monetary greed. Not only does he frequently put others safety in jeopardy in order to get more money, but he also flaunts his money that often puts others at risk. In episode four of season 17 he plays a game echoing The Most Dangerous Game where he shoots lower class people for sport. Burns is not the only character to represent such greed, though. Homer is the main member of the nuclear family who does reckless things to try to make money. For example, in episode three of season 17, Homer decides to host a “pox party” for the neighborhood – selling spots at a sleepover where the children get exposed to the chicken pox in a myriad of ways, such as drinking punch Maggie has been bathing in, or letting her cough on them. He also talks about what gifts he will be getting (episode 6). However, money frequently plays a significant role in The Simpsons, for example, Lenny fell prey in episode 2, season 17, when he decides to rent out parking lot for money. Lenny also flaunted the wealth by displaying a diamond for his belly button. Or perhaps even Chief Wiggum’s use of Ralph as a money-making machine (the boy ate $5 and Wiggum pulled out $50 from his mouth), even saying “Big money, Ralphie, come on, big money,” like a gambler would (episode 6). Self-loathing Homer is the truly representative of this category. While he does not despise his race, he is seen to frequently despise his weight or socio-economic value. For example, he frequently asks why Marge is married to him, thinking she is much better than he is. He even so far as goes as to believe that she is cheating on him because he feels he isn’t good enough, and there is no way she is satisfied by being with him (episode 3, season 17). Homer is not alone, though, in this self-loathing category. Moe mocks the idea of him being with Marge (although he frequently fantasizes it) by singing, “her comes the Moe, with the pretty girl, ‘cause these are things that happen in real life” to the tune of “Here Comes the Bride” while he is pasting images of his face over Homer’s in the Simpsons wedding album (episode 6, Season 17). However, there are cases and examples where self-loathing is presented in races. For example, in episode 2, Season 17, we see a black character talking to a neighbor, and stating that he was tired of putting himself down (using smaller, more common words, such as philatelists instead of stamp lover) to respect the standards of the other neighbor. Hypocrisy Hypocrisy is much more of a social criticism in The Simpsons, for example, Bart refuses to ride a tandem bike with his mom in order to play a video game (episode 5), but the video game’s objective is to ride the tandem bike with your mom. The same goes for the village people, who protest things they don’t truly understand. Additional Observations: Episode 5: (4:02 – 4:15) - Bart rejects the idea of riding a tandem bicycle with his mom because he instead wants to play a video game...in which the object of the game is to ride a tandem bike with your mom. This speaks to the larger idea of children today playing more video games about activities and sports than actually going outside and playing them (12:54 – 13:52) - Bart enjoys spending time with his mom but then abandons her when he’s teased by the bullies as being a “Momma’s boy” (18:27 – 18:48) – Seymour Skinner and his mom sing “Ebony and Ivory” together Ignorance Ignorance is a fairly prevalent feature of The Simpsons, but categorized in a couple of ways, such as racial, ethnic and religious ignorance, but also individual ignorance. For example, the town’s doctor (who is black) complains in episode 4, season 17, “Oh, because I am black and I am Dracula, I am Blackula? My wife said st don’t go as Dracula, but I said, Bernice, I live in the 21 century.” Homer is perhaps the main character that is frequently openly mocked for his stupidity, such as Burns’s quote in episode 4, season 17, “You can’t escape me Simpson, you aren’t smart enough.” Homer frequently proves this fact is relatively true, such as claiming that Father’s Day Eve is the “holiest night of the year” in episode 6, to which Lisa says there is no such thing. He begins to get said, and asks if Daddy Clause or Super Bowl Bunny is real. The townspeople also have their own level of ignorance, such as not realizing that the town was cursed by a witch in episode 4, season 1. Race Portrayals Blacks Perhaps the best example of opinion of the Black community in The Simpsons is episode 3, season 17, when Marge asks where their towns doctor was while at her predominantly white church. The pastor declares that the doctor had gone to the “more boisterous” church. When Marge goes to the church, every member of the church is black. The family immediately get caught in, and truly seem to enjoy, the singing and vocal prayers and wishes. What is interesting about the blacks in The Simpsons is that they seem to be generally viewed as rich or smart, and sometimes both. The town doctor is black, as well as a few other characters. For example, a black neighbor in episode 2 stated that he would frequently dumb down his words for his white friends. Another black police officer stated that he got into law school – although the officer does go on to say he could not afford it. Whites The characterization of whites is not as common in The Simpsons, perhaps reflecting the lack of self-evaluation among the characters. However, white people are seen to occupy fields that no other races seem to be apart of, such as the baseball players in episode 4, season 17. However, frequently whites are played as antagonist, ignorant or apart of groups that are viewed very negatively. For example, in episode 2, the construction workers are lazy and frequently rude, such as cat calling to women as they pass pay. However, it might be important to note that there is a distinction in The Simpsons between Americans and white. A good quote comes from episode 2, where the protestors who are protesting the Stamps Museum state that Homer protested with “Good old fashion American complaining.” Indeed, many of the protestors were white, and frequently were shown to be ignorant of what they were protesting, but also rather hypocritical, such as supporting things when it helps them, and not supporting them when they don’t (the war, the stamp museum, etc.) It is also implied in episode 6 that Americans will believe any politician based on something inconsequential, such as a Salamander suit. Asians In episode 3, season 17, a short skit shows the show OC showing a relationship between two young people (an Asian girl and white boy) as just a gimmick to have a “mixed race” relationship. Apu in episode 4, season 17: “My prices are very high,” which is very unusual for Apu to admit? Also, Koreans are seen breaking the third wall in episode 4, Season 17. Gender Men In The Simpsons, men are frequently viewed as the “standard.” In episode 2, the stamp museum has a banner that stated, “Fathers of Invention,” with only a correction to add on “and mothers.” Men are also frequently portrayed as perverse, such as making sexual jokes or innuendos. However, more frequently men are being shown to be unaware and powerless – frequently because the women are more powerful in their lives. For example, the principal is powerless to Lisa (episode 6) as well as his mother (episode 2). Women Perhaps the most interesting feature of The Simpsons is its variation in women’s roles. There is largely no one set definition of women. For example, Marge, the mother of the family, is seen as very forgiving towards Homer, despite being angry for what many would deem legitimate problems, which she herself admits in season 17, episode 1. A rare moment happens when Marge leaves the family for a time in episode 1, season 17, to find her passion and save manatees. She later confronts Homer that he will apologize, giving her a box of half eaten chocolates, flowers and she will stupidly return. Lisa, on the other hand, while seen as compassionate and family orientated, is not as naïve. She frequently challenges authority, and tries to help create a better system.