Sociology: The Simpsons

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Juan Ramirez Prof. Rusch 10/28/14 Sociology of the Simpsons The Simpsons is one of the longest running Television shows in history. Its influence on pop culture and other aspects of society are unmistaken and far-reaching. Starting out as a satirical take on the modern American family, The Simpsons have evolved into a show that focuses on the family’s interactions with the world and the forces that act on their hometown of Springfield. The Simpson family of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and baby Maggie embody the roles of the average American family and represents the different personalities of the American family as well. Starting with the title family itself, the Simpsons were first shown as the typical, dysfunctional American family. There’s…show more content…
She is very intelligent and sees herself as a misfit within her family due to her intellect. She displays features rarely seen in the town of Springfield, which include “spirituality and a commitment to peaceful ways” (Turner 78). Although her rebellion against social norms is usually depicted as constructive and heroic, Lisa can be self-righteous at times. (Pinsky 46) When Lisa becomes a vegetarian in the episode “Lisa the Vegetarian”, she becomes disgusted by Homer hosting a BBQ and disrupts it by stealing all the meat, for which she in the end apologizes for doing. Although she is intellectually gifted and very mature for her 8-year-old self, Lisa experiences common childhood issues, sometimes requiring adult intervention or advice. (Turner 203). For example, in "Lost Our Lisa", she tricks Homer into allowing her to ride the bus alone, only to become hopelessly lost and in need of aid from her father (Scully 1). When unable to attend school due to a teachers' strike in "The PTA Disbands", Lisa suffers withdrawal symptoms because of the sudden lack of praise (Turner 201). She evens get to a point where she wishes that her mother would grade her, for absolutely no reason. In Planet Simpson, Chris Turner writes that these traits make Lisa more realistic because "No character can aspire to realism without a few all-too-human flaws.” (Turner 201). Analogues to Bart, Lisa experiences deviance but hers is one of empowering herself and trying to change the world around her, as well as being the moral and logical compass of her

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