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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.