The Simpsons: Atomistic Politics and the Nuclear Family

Though The Simpsons may seem to many to be simply mindless entertainment, it offers some of the most sophisticated satire to ever appear on American TV. It has commented on nuclear power safety, the environment, gay rights, women in the military, & immigration. Both Republicans & Democrats have fallen victim to the program's satirical slurs. Perhaps cartoon's strongest point is its unique ability to capture the evolution of the American nuclear family. Though decried as providing regretful role models for both parents & children, underneath all the comedy & the mockery, The Simpsons usually ends up celebrating the family institution. For all his bad points (& there are many), Homer's one true motto is "My family, right or wrong." Religion also plays a noteworthy role in this family's life, a quality that is atypical in 1990's American TV. Further, life in the Simpson's town is reminiscent of an earlier era when the American family was still very dependent on the community. In conclusion, it is evident that The Simpsons should be examined on two levels: as a farce & as an intellectual satire. In short, the comedy can truly be used to defend the common man against the intellectual, in a way that both can enjoy. K. A. Larsen