The Simpsons coursework

Narrative structure is used very often in "The Simpsons." Narrative structure is the way in which a story is organised. Narrative usually consists of five stages. These are orientation, complication, resolution, evaluation and re-orientation. This system is used in "The Simpsons" to create humour and also let the audience know what to expect. A good example of this structure is shown in one Simpson's episode called "Roasting on an open fire." It starts of or orientates when the family are at a school production for Christmas setting the scene and letting the audience know that it has something to do with Christmas. Then comes the complication when Bart gets a tattoo and they have to use all their Christmas money to get it removed. Also Homer doesn't get his Christmas bonus. To resolve this Homer gets another job as father Christmas but doesn't get enough money. He bets it on a dog and loses everything. Bart and homer find the dog that they betted on being kicked out. The evaluation of this episode was when they bring the dog home. The re-orientation in this episode was when the whole family are together.

The Simpsons" don't use a lot of traditional sitcom characters and make the characters go against stereotypes. In "Roasting On An Open Fire" Lisa is doing some sort of ritual dance with fire at a school production. This is very weird and it seemed unrealistic. She goes against her stereotype because she is doing things, which are to extreme for an eight-year-old child. In this episode Bart gets a tattoo. This is illegal and yet he still goes ahead with it. He is very naughty and mischievous. This goes against his stereotype. The tattoo pallor are being satirised because they looked at his fake I.D and gave him a tattoo even though he looks like a kid. Homer is shown as an unsupportive father because he falls asleep when his children are on stage. He should be cheering and watching. He goes against his stereotype. Marge is the only one in this episode who goes with her stereotype. She acts like a mother by getting angry with Bart and watches the school production and cheers on her children. Another episode that I analysed was the "Cartridge Family." There is a lot of satire used in this episode. The NRA are satirised in this episode. They give out guns to anyone even little kids. Even though this may not happen in real life it is showing that they give it to anyone who wants it. This was shown when Homer goes to get his gun and they read out his previous record saying that he was in a mental hospital and was accused of killing Mr Burns. They still give him a gun. The police are also satirised because they are useless in crime situations and always come late.

The family as a unit are stereotyped. The father brings in the money the mother stays at home. The kids go to school. On the other hand they have problems and are not an "ideal" family. They are constantly falling out and having money troubles but in the end they always get back together. Even though they're not perfect they still love each other. In the episode "Homer Bad Man" the family stick together when Homer is accused of sexual assault and they all support and try to help him prove his innocence. The family also show signs that they are dysfunctional because when the family go to hug the Homer they hesitate to hug him. They do portray a family unit but the problems they have are just exaggerated to make the programme funny. I think audiences can relate to them.

Humour is one of things that make "The Simpsons"" successful. In the episode "Homer Bad man" many types of humorous devices were used. Puns, coincidence, surprise and incongruity, breaking the dramatic illusion and comedy of the absurd are just some of the devices used in this episode. Also the use of satire is used to make it more humorous. The media was satirised a lot in this episode. They were shown as people who changed stories and would do anything to get audiences. They want news which is sensational and that will bring the audiences in. when they make a mistake they try to cover it up. An example of comedy of the absurd used in this episode was when Grounds Keeper Willy has a tape of Homer proving Homer's innocence. The family accepts it even though it is perverted only because it helped Homer. The animation makes the program funny. With animation you can do anything with it. The characters can do wild stunts, which real life actors can't. With animation you can get away with anything. "The Simpsons" makes many rude jokes about people and makes fun out of people and cultures. They get away with it because it's a cartoon. If "The Simpsons" were a real life programme it would probably be taken of the air because people would take offence to it.

"The Simpsons" is a very successful programme and has been running for a very long time. Many people have different views on "The Simpsons" some think that it is rude and stupid others think that it is funny and realistic. I think that "The Simpsons" shows the reality of life in a light-hearted way. I think this is why it is a successful programme and also the humour kind of hides the rudeness and that is why people don't take offence to it. In some ways "The Simpson" is a sitcom because it has a family in it and has the same characters and the same setting in every episode. In some ways it isn't a sitcom because it goes against stereotypes and does not set a good example to others. Despite this I still think it is a very good programme and should be called a sitcom.

By Dharmesh Bhudia