post modernism case study on the simpsons.pptx

8/14/2019 post modernism case study on the simpsons.pptx

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By Hannah Alley

TV case study series: The Simpsons -Season 17, episode 19, "GirlsJust

Want to Have Sums".


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About The Simpsons

an American animated sitcom created by MattGroening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The

series is a satirical parody of a middle class

American lifestyle epitomized by its dysfunctional

family of the same name, which consistsof Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The

show is set in the fictional town of Springfield and

parodies American culture, society, television, and

many aspects of the human condition.


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What about it is post modern?

Narrative-speaking, the programme follows anon-linear narrative creating confusions over time

and space. This is an extremely post-modern

trait, and is very typical of comedy programs, like

Family Guy for example. This trait is madeobvious to the audience when a character may

state something like oh dont worry, itll all be

alright by the next episode, making the audience

feel as if the characters are almost aware thatthey are in a show.


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Furthermore, the programme uses simulacraand stimulation through using a cartoon within

the actual cartoon, called Itchy & Scratchy. In

effect, this show that the two children of The

Simpsons family watch, is a stimulation of thereal world of Springfield essentially a hyper

reality inside a hyper reality. It is also interesting

to note that Itchy & Scratchy uses non-

consequential violence just like the cartoon Tom& Jerry and almost seems an exact replicate of

the cartoon, which is ironic.


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Another postmodern trait of The Simpsonsis thatthe programme seems to not be localised in

any other region rather than America, nor any

other period of time than the post modern era. As

well as this, there is no sign of progress beingmade within the children in school. For example,

Maggie is forever sucking her dummy, and the

audience never actually witness her growing,

such as learning to walk or talk, etc.. Every singlecharactersimage stays stagnant.


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Lastly, the programme constantly makes fun ofissues in the real world which is a decline of the

meta-narrative, being a frequent theme

throughout. Fun is poked at religion, the

government, social issues and more, with lightconsistently being made out of any situation.


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About the Girls Just Want to Have

Sums episode

Harvard principle Skinner is fired for offendingfeminists by suggesting differences in

performance in math/science may be due to

innate differences between men and women. He

is then replaced by womens educational expert,Melanie, who demands that the males and

females in Harvard are separated immediately,

and the audience see females treated differently

from now on.


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What about this episode is post-

modern?

What is the source of this illusion, or as I call it, thebiggest lie ever told? Principle Skinner states as hestands on stage, speaking out to all of the feministwomen before him, who do not look very pleased.There is an instant display of lack of seriousness and

irony in this clip, as the Principle of the school ismocking quite a serious topic (feminism). This is avery post-modern trait as it is making light ofpolitical issues that do happen in the real world.

Then, a woman in a pink blazer stands up and shoutsyoure a worse version of Hitler as she ironicallypoints her hand out at Skinner, almost as if she ismimicking Hitler. The irony is reinforced heretheepisode is beginning to look like a parody,as thetopic of Hitler is very serious and a piece of history isbeing mocked. Also, another crucial post modern

aspect of this is that it isintertextual by referencingto Hitler.


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Stereotypes and mocking of serious

subjects

Then, Skinner states please, believe me Iunderstand the problems of women as he laughsand stands to the side in a flowery, pink dress.The idea that The Simpsonsare representing a

stereotype of females here, to all wear floraldresses, is very post modern as again, this is asensitive subject that especially feminists, wouldnot like to set their eyes upon. The mocking ofserious subjects returns yet again when a child

shouts ha ha, Skinners a tranny. Of course,many transsexual individuals could feel deeplyaffected by this sort of mention as these newsubjects are not usually spoken about, but it is

apparent that the modernity of this program reallydoes push boundaries.


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Pastiche

When the next scene presents the new Principle,Melanie, teaching her new class of females, there

is an element of pastiche conveyed. It is

interesting to note that the previous scenery was

very traditional and sensible in the schoolsassembly hall, which suddenly switches to an

airy-fairy, feminine classroom suddenly full of

purple puf chairs, flowers and soft-lighting. This

represents the very post modern merging oflooks/genres.


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Stereotype

How do numbers make you feel? PrincipleMelanie passionately asks a student after she

switches on a light that makes fraction symbols

and numbers float around the room. This

presents another stereotype of females toconstantly think with their emotions instead of

thinking rationally and practically, and being soft

and girly. The fact that The Simpsons

confidently represents this stereotype is very postmodern.


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What can we conclude from this?

Overall, it seems that The Simpsonshas ageneral liberal attitude to serious matters like

Feminism, which can be taken very seriously by

many individuals. I felt that this whole episode

made light of serious issues and was very ironicand mocking, which of course, is very post

modern.

post modernism case study on the simpsons.pptx

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