English Media coursework

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Simpson

Throughout this essay, I will be addressing several key points, some of which demonstrate conventional stereotypes and typical roles within an American family.  As mentioned previously, this essay will review the first ever episode “Simpson’s Roasting On an Open Fire”. This exclusive episode introduces a rather unique and special feeling, as it is the first ever Simpsons episode to be broadcast on television. This is a Christmas cracker of an episode as we see a family mostly considered for their one liners and distinct way of life. Homer is the centre of this predicament as he battles to salvage his family from a Christmas crisis.

As beer bellied, foul mouthed Homer scurries with his beloved wife to pay a visit the school pantomime, they are unaware of the heavy falling snow, which prevents them from reaching earlier to their intended destination. Homer then in a bid to prove his caring personality and loving nature sets out to become Santa in a battle to rescue his family from a rather unpredicted Christmas crisis. After hours of hard work this dream is then shattered when he finds that his job pay is the small sum of only 13 dollars. The end snapshot is quite effective as it demonstrates to us the general love and affection each character shows for each other. The specific moral of this episode depicts the message ‘never give up’, as Homer illustrates to us nothing is impossible, which is quite conventional of a stereotypical dad in a nuclear American household.

The general image of families portrayed to mainstream audiences over the latter stages of the twentieth century is quite characteristic of how modern day sitcoms are presented. Traditionally, over the course of the twentieth century, broader audiences have witnessed the stereotypical, orthodox family, generally comprising of one disobedient boy, an academic daughter, a compassionate, empathetic motherly figure and a protective, demanding fatherly figure. Conventionally, modern day sitcoms are based and constructed around misunderstandings which usually affect the main characters, there is usually a laughter soundtrack and they are generally half an hour long with a break if shown on commercial TV.

The father, being the dominant figure in the household, is generally supposed to stand firm and stamp his authority in the house, as well as being able to deal successfully with tricky, tense or problematic situations. He is usually looked at as intelligent and has good judgement. He is hypothetically looked at as an excellent role model to his son, and the daughter normally adores him.

 

The children should never feel as though they are uncomfortable or insecure talking through their inner feelings or thoughts. If there is any need for discipline, the father is adjudged to deal with the problem professionally and competently. The children should always be respectful and believe the parents know the best for them. They try hard and must go out of their way in order to make the parents feel proud and swollen with pride.

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More significantly The Simpsons undoubtedly challenges the idea of a stereotypical American nuclear family. The ideal relationship between Marge and Lisa differs from the conventional one. In some aspects, Lisa shows she is different from her mother. Lisa’s huge mass of intelligence has ultimately pushed the relationship beyond, and furthermore, Marge seems to be threatened by her daughter’s brainpower and astuteness. The Simpsons family bond quite negatively, and the correlation between each member of the family at times ‘negative’ and ‘off-putting’ Each and every individual family member appears to have no real firm or steady relationship amongst them. However ...

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