From Lamey (March 25, 2000) New York Post
In an issue of Political Theory, a prestigious academic journal, Paul A. Cantor of the University of Virginia examines the "deep politics" of Matt Groening's popular animated cartoon, stating that "For all its slapstick nature and its mocking of certain aspects of family life, The Simpsons has as affirmative side and ends up celebrating the nuclear family as an insitution."
Do you agree?
Season 20: Episode 3 - Double, Double, Boy in Trouble
When Lenny wins the lottery and invites the Simpson family to a celebratory party at a posh hotel, Bart meets his doppelganger, Simon Woosterfield, who happens to be a member of the richest family in Springfield. Simon and Bart decide to switch places, and Bart arrives at the lavish Woosterfield mansion only to find football great Joe Montana hanging around the estate. As Simon adjusts to the simple life over at the Simpson household, Bart begins to notice his wealthy new siblings acting strangely toward him. With some frightening words of wisdom from Mr. Burns, Bart realizes his new siblings are plotting his demise so they can inherit the Woosterfield family fortune all for themselves. Lisa and Simon must reach Bart before he goes from riches to ditches.
Use the P.E.E.R acronym to structure your response and reference the above episode in your answer. Your response to the question should be at least 300 words in length.
Submit as a comment below.
As a bonus question, to which famous play does the title of this episode allude? Why do you think this is the case?
ReplyDeleteThe famous play the title of this episode alludes is Macbeth, Act IV scene 1, 'Double, Double Toil and Trouble'. The reasoning behind this is that the text or at least the title was relative to the episode. In comparison between the text and the television-script Bart could be considered Macbeth and Devan, Quenley and Simon Woosterfield, the three witches that attempt to increase Macbeth's toil and trouble until doubled. In the television-script Bart (Macbeth) has already got himself some toil and trouble when he costs his father Homer $50000 and then proceeds to crash the 'kick-ass party' that Lenny had thrown for his friends. subsequently Bart meets his doppelganger Simon who happens to be a million-air and is more than willing to switch lives with Bart for some unknown reason and Bart couldn't get into the other's shoes quicker. However, later Bart finds that the unknown reason Simon was willing to switch lives was that his older step siblings wanted his head, so to speak, so as to inherit the massive fortune to themselves.
ReplyDeletethe reason for the episode title alluding the famous play Macbeth is that of Bart already being in trouble has suddenly come into a much more drastic predicament involving death at the hands of his doppelganger's older step siblings, thus, doubling his toil in trouble at the hands of the three witches (Simon, Devan, Quenley).
...thus being comparative or reflective of the text Double, Double Toil and Trouble. Macbeth, a Shakespearean play.
ReplyDeleteNicely done Daniel. Very impressive indeed!
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that the Simpson's does represent true family values. Although some of the time these family values are blown out of proportion and aren't the common day thing, the bottom line is they still are family values.
ReplyDeleteSeason 20: Episode 3 - Double, Double, Boy in Trouble depicts many of these values, after watching this episode in class you realize how the popular show Simpsons is not only a TV show but it also has many underlying messages.
Messages such as although Lisa and Bart are constantly fighing, Lisa still managed to realize something was wrong. She realized that the so called "Bart" wasn't quite right and find out it was a famous rich boy named Simon. This displays family values through the love Lisa has for Bart, she could easily realize something wasn't right as there was a behemoth personality change.
Another family value shown in this episode is that Homer is willing to do the shopping for a busy Marge even though he does not want to at all. This shows the married couple's love for each other, Homer is willing to help Marge out no matter what it is.
After watching this episode of the Simpsons I have come to realize that the show, one of the greatest of all time for its comedy also has many important values to be learnt from, in the case of this episode it was family values,
The Simpson’s is a great average family. In Season 20: Episode 3 – Double, Double, Boy in Trouble it shows a great typical family. In general most people would say “Yes the Simpson’s show a great standard family”.
ReplyDeleteA perfect example showing that the Simpson’s family is a typical family is when Bart’s father Homer jumps off a cliff to save his son, this relates to a standard family by how much the parents would do just to be with their kids. The affect of it is the average parent in life would do anything to save their children from harm.
As Homer jumped off a cliff to save his son Bart he is also referred to as a bad parent.
In addition Homer and Marge also have a way of disciplining their children, a perfect illustration of that is when Homer strangles his son Bart and Marge takes his gaming privileges away. The affect of it reveals the normal parents trying to discipline their children from the wrong doing. All parents are diverse; all have their possess way of disciplining their own children. Whilst other parents seize away their children’s fun-time privileges.
I agree that the Simpsons family from the cartoon series ‘The Simpsons’ is a nuclear family. After watching an episode of ‘The Simpsons’ called ‘Double, Double, Boy in Trouble’, this episode has shown that the Simpsons family may not be a normal family, it is still considered as one.
ReplyDeleteIn this episode, there is a scene where Lisa Simpson, Homer and Marge’s first daughter, realises that there was something different about ‘Bart’. She confirms this in the end with her parents, who didn’t know anything about this. ‘Bart’ then reveals himself as Simon Woosterfield, his dead ringer. This links to the fact that the Simpsons family is a nuclear family because of how much Lisa knows her brother. She could’ve kept it a secret because Simon, as she realised, is sensible and more casing than Bart. She still missed her brother even if he bullies her all the time. This then tells us that no matter how much Bart bully Lisa, they would still love each other because they are family.
Another scene that proves us that the Simpsons family is a nuclear family is when homer does an insane act when there is a more sensible option. As Bart tries to ski down the deadly skiing route, the family spots them. Homer then jumps off the ski lift and rolls down the snowy hill creating a giant snow ball. This may not happen in real life but the fact that he’s doing it to risk his own life and save his son’s life is showing love and fondness. This tells us that a family member would risk one’s life to save another family member. After this moment, they forget everything that has happened and become a loving and close family, just like every nuclear family.
In conclusion, the examples stated above tells us that a nuclear family doesn’t always have to be normal and sensible, but the affection and connection between its members, even if there is no physical signs of it, has to be strong enough just like the Simpsons.
I do agree that the simpsons show family values through their everyday life style. After watching eason 20: Episode 3 – Double, Double, Boy in Trouble it shows a perspective of how the simpsons family manage together.
ReplyDeleteIn one of the scenes of the episode (after Bart switching with Simon) Lisa realises that there is something odd with Bart. She realises that it is actually Simon. This shows us how close of a family they are, Lisa knowing Bart from top to bottom, his behaviour and his personality. Lisa realises this because Bart was always upto mischieve. It also depicts how close the bond of Lisa and Bart really are and infact 'knows Bart to well'.
Another Scene in the Simpsons episode is when Marge tucks Bart into bed at the end. This scene depicts Marge as the wonderful and caring mother that loves her child, it conveys a message of warmth between the mother and son bond. Especially after Bart came back home it gave us a message that she as a mother misses her 'baby boy' and whatever happens she will always love him.
To conclude, I concur that the Simpsons family is a nuclear family and have the same values as other families of the reasons above; they depict ordinary lives of families which in case show qualities of love, warmth, careness, righeousness, knowledge (Lisa knowing he brother all to well) and the most and biggest fundamental is Understanding (they all understand each other well ( communicating and sharing common interest. There is a big connection between us and the Simpsons however it is show in different manners.
The Simpsons, one of the most famous animated TV shows of all time, winning dozens of major awards and being the longest TV show in American history with up to 22 seasons, people now often stop to wonder why the Simpsons has captivated them for so long.
ReplyDeleteThe Simpsons revolve around (under certain amplitude) a seemingly normal family that go through the typical everyday life of an American. Most scenarios are quite extreme and are only there to keep the show funny and interesting, although by the end of the episode (whether we learnt anything or not) we realise an important moral to life that was buried underneath the plot of that particular episode.
As Cantor wrote: “For all its slapstick nature and its mocking of certain aspects of family life, The Simpsons has an affirmative side and ends up celebrating the nuclear family as an institution. For television, this is no minor achievement”.
Many tend to just watch an episode as it plays out in front of us and just enjoy the stupid things that the family (especially the father; Homer) does or certain dilemmas that the Simpson family get themselves into. But morals or otherwise, some of societies aptness goes towards arguing if the Simpsons really are a genuine nuclear family as they may portray it.
Examining the episode called: Double, Double: Boy in Trouble as one of the many episodes that show clear examples of a nuclear family. This particular episode involves Bart deciding to switch places with his rich “twin” Simon so that he can experience life of a rich, spoilt child but in the end getting saved from Simons half siblings by Homer, then realising that he would values his family over petty riches.
As said hundreds of times previously, the Simpsons albeit unrealistic in their situations certainly hold true to the qualities of a nuclear family.
One quality comes in the form of a fatherly saying “A father (or parents) will do anything to get their children out of danger” is quite over spoken but has rarely been acted upon, comes in the example of the nonsense stupid acts of Homer Simpson. In this episode when Homer realises Bart is in danger, Homer comes straight to the rescue... by jumping off the ski chair to land on the slope of snow and roll into a giant snowball towards Bart. As silly as this act may be, the example is quite clear as Homer had good intentions and was trying to save his son, risking even his life to help. To be frank, it is certain that under dire circumstances any parent would do the exact same thing... hopefully without the consequences which followed in the episode.
Immediately following the rescue of Bart, the clichéd but very much real attribute of love overpowers money comes into play when Bart finally realised what his father did for him, he actually admits that he preferred his family over the life of the rich, even as it is every child’s dream to get whatever they want; fame, publicity, money, and everlasting entertainment. Deep inside us we must all know that “there is no place like home”.
Irrevocably, the Simpsons family are, like most, atypical in most aspects, however they’re morals and attributes definitely fit them almost perfectly into the category of common families. They may live completely different lifestyles but surely, every relationship, whether big or small can relate to the extremely funny and well known dysfunctional family that lives down evergreen terrace.
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ReplyDeleteI strongly agree that the Simpsons are a typical family because in this episode 'Double Double Boy in Trouble' Homer jumps out of a chairlift to save Bart. In this scene, Bart is skiing down a dangerous mountain and needs help urgently, Homer spots Bart from the chairlift and jumos of to save his son while in the process endagering himself. This relates to a realistic family because it shows how any father will go to any extreme to save his own child. I agree that the Simpsons are a typical family because they portray a fatherly figure to 'some extent', in contast to this I disagree that the Simpsons are a typical family as explained below.
ReplyDeleteI strongly disagree that the Simpsons are a typical family because in the episode listed above Bart switched places with another look alike but a rich version and Homr and Marge as Bart's parents don't even realise he is missing. In this scene Bart is hiding in the bathroom from Homer because he is in deep trouble. While in the bathroom he meets a rich kid named Simon who looks exactly like him and they witch places, Bart goes to a massice mansion while Simon goes hoe with the Simpsons. This does not relate to a typical family beacuse a real family will know the difference between a stranger and their real son. I disagree that the Simpsons are a typical family because they do not portray the realistic characterictics a real family will show in real life.
The Simpsons do show many qualities of a real family but not all of them.
I agree that the Simpsons are an ideal family. I agree with this statement because of the episode I watched, were Bart had switched families with a self, rich look alike of himself. Bart decides to switch families, after he causes his father Homer to lose the chance of winning $50000 in the lottery. Then instead Lenny gets the ticket and wins the $50000, with the money he decides to throw ‘a kick ass party’ for him and his friends. At this party Bart crashes it by formatting automatic vacuums that Lenny bought as a gift for his friends to destruction. At this party Bart finds his look alike named Simon and decides to switch lives with him. When Bart is a Simon’s house he finds out that Simon’s half brother and sister are out to kill him to claim the Woosterfield fortune.
ReplyDeleteWhile Simon is adapting to life as Bart, Lisa realises who he really is. This shows that the Simpsons are a normal family because not only did Lisa realise that Simon wasn’t her brother but she also didn’t want him to stay, taking in fact that both Lisa and Simon are intellectually sound.
Bart is then invited to a ski trip which is found out as a perfect place to kill Bart. The Simpson family and Simon rush to Bart. Simon’s half brother and sisters plan to kill Bart was to push him off the most challenging ski route. While Bart is going down the cliff Homer spots him and jumps off the ski lift to try and save him. This also shows that the Simpsons are an ideal family because it shows the tenacity of Homer to save Bart as what any father would do.
The Simpsons are also shown as an ideal family because at the end of the day when Marge tucks Bart in to bed Bart realises that he loves his family
To conclude I agree that the Simpsons are an ideal family because Homer is willing to risk his life to save Bart, Lisa still cares for Bart over everything he has done to her and Bart realises that he loves his family.
I agree to an extent that the Simpsons are and ideal family as they are show love and various family aspects towards each other despite their arguments.
ReplyDeleteAn example of this is when Homer jumps out of the chairlift in order to try and save his son even though he had an argument with Bart not too long before.
This scene shows that any father would go to extreme lengths to save or help their kid in any way possible.
This showing of care and love is typical to a normal family as they stick together no matter what.
However I also disagree that that the Simpsons are an ideal family because Homer and Marge didn’t notice Simon wasn’t really Bart. Even though Simon had a complete different character and accent Homer and Marge did not notice anything unusual. In real life parents would notice if it wasn’t really their child because they know their behaviour and the way they interact. Most parents would be quick to pick this up. Disregarding this I think that the Simpsons are a typical family with some minor problems, however they still love and care for each other.
In the Simpsons episode 'Double double, boy in trouble', the Simpson family show examples of family values. An example of this is when Homer without thought, jumps of a chairlift and rolls down a steep hill and rolls into a ball to save Bart from skiing to his death, although this scenario wouldn't happen in real life, this shows the never-ending love and compassion our parents show and do for us so that we are safe. i know that if i were in a situation like that my parents would do all they could so that they could help me be safe and sound.this is a good example of how the Simpsons show family values.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the Simpsons also show bad representations of family values. This is also shown in the same episode. Bart and Simon swap places and live each others lives. At the Simpson home the pretend Bart acts differently to how the normal Bart would and Marge and Homer don't recognise this change. this would not happen in real life, i know that my mum and dad could tell straight away if i were to act differently, some lady can even tell octuplets apart. All in all, the Simpsons do show qualities of family values even if there are negatives, the positives overpower them by a million.
The Simpsons has an affirmative side and ends up celebrating the nuclear family as an institution, during this episode Bart Simpson encounters his doppelganger, Simon Wooster field, who happens to be a member of the richest family in Springfield, and both are equally desperate to get away from their family life so as a result they switch identities with each other. The Simpsons are a representation of the Nuclear family because of their will to do anything in order save a family member and also the changes in their mood when one is not present.
ReplyDeleteOne may say that the Simpsons is an example of a nuclear family because of how well they know each other, an example is when Lisa notices a change in Bart’s behaviour, she acts quickly to pour the truth out of Simon, she also admits that she misses barts presence, this shows the audience how well she knows her brother in order distinguish the difference between the two characters even though she and bart have had their ‘ups and downs’, the message that emerges from this scene is that even though family members may dislike each other they will always recognise when one is lost.
Most of what makes the Simpsons an example of a nuclear family is because the audience can relate to them, an example of this when Homer jumps out of the chairlift in order to save Bart from death, Homer portrays the act of a father willing to do anything for the sake of his son.
The Simpsons represents a nuclear family because of their ways to argue and in the end always love one another, it also represents a nuclear family by how much a father would sacrifice for his son.
Simpsons is a very funny, nuclear family. They display family values and shows a typical family living a ordinary life.
ReplyDeleteIn "Season Twenty; Episode Three - Double, Double, Boy in Trouble", it shows as much as "The Simpson's family" hate each other they all have a strong bond together.
This was proven by Homer who always seem to strangle Bart as much as possible, but when Bart needs help or is in trouble like in this Episode (Double Double, Boy in Trouble), when Bart was skii'ing down the snowy hill plundering to his death. Homer jumps off his "skii chairs" rolling into the snow to make a human snow ball, and somehow mysteriously saves Bart, putting his life at stake also.
Another point was proven in this Episode by how Lisa who hates Bart so much, realise that this new Bart was a fraud. She soon came to her senses and pulled the "Fraud Bart" into a corner an questioned him. Without a time to lose, the Fraud Bart told her everything and as quick as possible she told the entire family, and they were off to save him.
The Simpsons is a nuclear family like any other. As shown in this Episode how Homer risked his life for Bart, like any other family any parent would risk their life for their son/daughter. This is what makes "The Simpson's Family" the ideal family.
In the episode of Season 20:episode 3"Double, Double, Boy in Trouble" I disagree that his episode shows that the Simpsons family is a nuclear family.
ReplyDeleteThe reason of why I disagree the Simpson is not a nuclear family is because of how Bart Simpsons the son of or the boy of the Simpson family switches with Simon his doppelganger at which his family doesn't even know about.His parents were unaware that Bart was missing though his doppelganger behavior was strange and didn't act the way Bart normally does.The family treated Simon almost the normal way they would treat Bart.Simon personality was very unusual to Bart which he was very Posh and Stylish and was the complete opposite to Bart.The Simpson family had no idea that Bart was missing at all but only Bart sister Lisa found out that Bart was missing due to his very unusual behavior.
Simon's family on the other hand who Bart switched with had all the money and fortune their is for a children at his age but he had no love or care from anyone.Simon's Family dint even notice him at all and his step Brother and sister tried to get rid of him to get more money which was very greedy.
This shows bad reviews about a nuclear family.This is very unusual of a nuclear family to not notice your son or daughter is missing and having no love.
I agree that the Simpsons are a typical family because in this episode Homer jumps out of a chairlift to save Bart. In this scene Bart is in danger while he is skiing down a mountain, Homer sees Bart in danger and jumps off the chairlift to his rescue while in the process he is endangering himself. This relates to a realistic because it shows how any father would go to any circumstances to save his son. I agree that that the Simpsons typical family because they portray an ideal fatherly figure.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Simpsons are a typical family because in the episode I watched, the Simpsons family had arguments but in the end they all come together around the table to eat dinner. In this episode Bart is getting into lots of trouble and his parents are very angry with him. Bart feels like no one understands him so he swaps lives with another kid. This relates to a typical family because everyone at one point gets angry with another family member but they always forgive each other and come together as a family.
I agree that the Simpson family is a solid representation of the typical nuclear family and is illustrated when Bart and his doppelganger (Simon) switch places. Lisa notices, but doesn’t stick with the expected favour of an intellectual, polite and well mannered brother, but instead turns Simon in and tries to get the rowdy, impolite troublemaking Bart back.
ReplyDeleteWhen confronting Simon at home, Lisa says “I can’t believe I’m doing this, but, where’s the real Bart back”, evoking the true nature of the brother and sisters feelings for each other, as in every other nuclear family. Although siblings may argue and bicker, on a deeper level they really do care for each other, even if they won’t admit it. A prime example of the saying “You never know how much you love someone until they’re gone.” At the end of the episode Bart shows his deeper level of affection for his family in acknowledging that he would much rather live in an upper middle classed family with love than to live in a multi-million air family where there is no love or support.
Families may bicker and bite, kick and scream, quarrel and clash, but they all know that the people surrounding them are with them and do care for them even if they do not say it.
Another prime example of the Simpsons being a brilliant representative of the typical nuclear family is that of the parent being willing to give his/her all, even sacrifice their life, to their child’s sake.
In the Simpsons episode ‘Double, Double Boy in Trouble’ homer throws himself down the side of a rather perilous mountain to save Bart from skiing to serious injury or worse!: O Although the scenario in the episode is unrealistic and extreme, absurd even, it displays the extreme level of love the parents in a typical nuclear family have for the child.
The Simpsons are a positive representative of the nuclear family is showing the deep connections between family members. In my outlook, the above Simpson family values and morals are very much compatible, if not the same as the typical nuclear family.