MASARYK UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND AMERICAN STUDIES American cartoons: the Image of Interpersonal Relationships in South Park and The Simpsons BRNO 2012 Supervisor: Author: Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D. Mgr. Jana Brandová Prohlašuji, že jsem tuto práci zpracovala samostatně a použila jen prameny uvedené v seznamu literatury. Souhlasím, aby práce byla uložena na Masarykově univerzitě v Brně v knihovně Pedagogické fakulty a zpřístupněna ke studijním účelům. Mgr. Jana Brandová Acknowledgement: I would like to thank to my supervisor, Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D., for his constructive comments and valuable advice. I would also like to thank to my partner and family for their support. Abstract: The thesis provides the reader with a detailed comparison of the image of interpersonal relationships in two popular American cartoons for adults South Park and The Simpsons. The thesis analyzes several episodes of these two cartoons and focuses on the different depiction of parent-child relationship, relationships with the elderly and community relations in both cartoons. In addition, the thesis compares and contrasts kinds of satire and parody which are used in both shows. Key words: South Park, The Simpsons, cartoons for adults, parody, satire, family, parent-child relationships, senior citizens, community relations Souhrn Tato závěrečná práce seznamuje čtenáře s rozdílným vyobrazením mezilidských vztahů ve dvou populárních kreslených seriálech South Parku a Simpsnových. Práce analyzuje několik epizod výše zmíněných kreslených seriálů a na základě této analýzy popisuje rozdílný přístup k zobrazení vztahů mezi rodiči a dětmi, postoji k seniorům a vztahů v místním společenství, které oba seriály zaujímají. Tato práce také porovnává rozdílné postupy ve využití satiry a parodie v obou kreslených seriálech. Klíčová slova: South Park, Simpsnovi, kreslené seriály pro dospělé, parodie, satira, vztahy v rodině, senioři, vztahy v komunitě TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………. 6 2. The Simpsons and South Park as adult-oriented cartoons …………………... 7 3. Parody and satire in The Simpsons and South Park …………………………. 9 4. Family ties in The Simpsons and South Park ………………………………… 11 4.1. Parent-child relationship in The Simpsons ……………………........... 12 4.2. Parent-child relationship in South Park ……………………………... 15 5. Senior citizens ………………………………………………………………….. 19 5.1. Senior citizens in The Simpsons ………………………………………. 20 5.1.1. Stereotypes about the elderly in The Simpsons ……………… 22 5.2. Senior citizens in South Park …………………………………………. 25 6. Community relations in The Simpsons and South Park …………………….. 31 7. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………… 36 8. Resumé ………………………………………………………………………… 37 9. Bibliography …………………………………………………………………… 38 1. INTORDUCTION Animated cartoons The Simpsons and South Park are undoubtedly highly popular among children and adults alike. Even though these cartoons originated in the United States, they are regularly watched by millions of people all over the world and their influence can be considered border-crossing and universal. Most viewers primarily enjoy laughing at funny scenes but they tend to overlook cultural critiques of America provided by the aforementioned cartoons. In fact, the cartoons frequently comment on contemporary issues and political and social problems. However, The Simpsons and South Park are often underestimated and not considered worthy of analysis. There are various reasons for this mistrust. Firstly, it is the medium of animation which might be seen as not reliable enough for scholars. Secondly, the commercial success of the shows, especially of The Simpsons, might also discourage academics from analyzing these cartoons. On the contrary, a substantial number of books which take the cartoons seriously have been published and a lot of people certainly realize that there is something more beyond hilarious jokes and lavatorial humor. Similarly, this thesis aims to prove that even massively popular animated cartoons such as The Simpsons and South Park are capable of providing relevant insights into American culture and could be analyzed as a serious piece of visual art. Furthermore, the thesis compares and contrasts the manner in which these cartoons comment on issues of interpersonal relationships and tries to decide which of the cartoons uses harsher criticism and more biting satire. The thesis provides the reader with a general characteristic of both cartoons and also defines the key terms parody and satire. Further, the thesis offers the analysis of several episodes which depict various interpersonal relationships such as family ties and community relations. It also examines various methods and techniques of criticism used by both cartoons and comments on their effectiveness. In my view, both The Simpsons and South Park have already proved to be bitter and outspoken critics of contemporary America. Secondly, these cartoons help non- American viewers to understand what is an average life in the United States like, and what problems average Americans have to face to. Therefore, I believe that these cartoons should not be seen only as a source of cheap laugh because they do have a deeper meaning and can be taken seriously. I hope this thesis will prove my point. 6 2. THE SIMPSONS AND SOUTH PARK AS ADULT-ORIENTED CARTOONS Both The Simpsons and South Park can be classified as adult-oriented cartoons. It is the most important but also the only connection between these two shows. This fact might be surprising for a casual viewer, but the attentive one would certainly agree with the statement above, since by watching the shows regularly, one can notice a substantial number of differences on many levels. This chapter draws a comparison between The Simpsons and South Park from several points of view and it also explains the difference between adult-oriented cartoons and cartoons for children. Firstly, the term cartoon should be defined. According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, cartoon is “a short film that is made by photographing a series of drawings” or “a funny drawing in a newspaper of magazine, especially about politicians or events in the news”. Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary similarly defines the word from two perspectives. First, as “a drawing, especially in a newspaper or magazine, which tells a joke or makes an amusing political criticism”. Second, as “a film made using characters and images which are drawn rather than real, and which is usually amusing”. It is obvious that both The Simpsons and South Park classify as cartoons in the sense of a short animated film. Secondly, the distinction between cartoons for children, such as Loony Tunes, and cartoons for adults, such as The Simpsons and South Park, has to be drawn. These two types of cartoons differ in many aspects. Not surprisingly, the most notable distinction exists between intended audiences. Cartoons as Loony Tunes are originally focused on children since they offer amusing and non-controversial plots and likeable characters. In contrast, cartoons such as The Simpsons and South Park are originally not intended for children because they very often narrate a highly controversial story, they openly mock politicians and popular personalities, and they are full of dark, slapstick humor. As mentioned above, the label of adult-oriented cartoons is the only link which interconnects The Simpsons and South Park. However, even this similarity is not very strong. Unlike South Park, The Simpsons is often watched by children and as Mullen claims its merchandise is also focused on children rather than adults. (Mullen, 2004, 79) In contrast, the creators of South Park, Stone and Parker, maintain that the show has always been intended for adults and South Park-licensed products are also focused on them. (Parker, Stove, 2003) 7 All in all, at first sight both cartoons might look similar. However, if one looks closer, they will discover that more differences than similarities can be found. In fact, the only similarity is the genre of adult-oriented cartoons, which is not even fully respected in the case of The Simpsons. 8 3. PARODY AND SATIRE IN THE SIMPSONS AND SOUTH PARK As suggested in the previous chapter, the examined cartoons differ in many aspects. One of them is certainly the manner in which they caricature America and Americans. Although both shows can be classified as satirical, the use of satire and parody is different. While South Park employs a very sharp critique and dark humor, The Simpsons generally tends to use gentle mockery and mild criticism. A definition found in Dictionary of Literary Terms states that satire “uses laughter to attack its objects.” (Gray, 1992, 255) Likewise, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms describes satire as “a mode of writing that exposes the failings of individuals, institutions, or societies to ridicule and scorn.” (Baldick, 2001, 228) There are a lot of scenes and moments in both shows which prove that both cartoons satisfy the criteria for a satirical work. However, satire employed by the shows may vary in tone. According to The Anatomy of Satire, two types of satire, Horatian and Juvenalian, can be distinguished. The former reveals the truth with a smile and the latter bitterly criticizes and punishes mankind. (Highet, 1962, 235) Undoubtedly, it can be stated that The Simpsons tends to employ Horatian satire whereas South Park uses Juvenalian satire more frequently. Particular examples which support this notion will be provided