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Saturday, September 14, 2019
Psychology of Homer Simpsons Essay
The Simpsons have been America’s phenomenal cartoon TV series that has a chilling resemblance to the typical family, if it would be viewed in a different angle removing the humour and exaggerations. The melodious opening song, Bart’s writing on the board, to the sofa antic just gives that tinge of spice to the expecting viewers. However, what usually catches the interest of the people is Homer. His credulous and sometimes sordid character ironically gives justice to the struggle of middle class families and perfectly depicts the role and challenges of a father who is facing the ordeals in the midst of a family crisis and his obligation as a citizen in the society.  A saying goes that the father is the home’s foundation. If that foundation would be weak, the family will collapse and disperse on the ground. He is the one that stands firm amongst difficult adversities a family faces and would be the source of their hope. Homer Simpsons heavy stature and obsession with Duff beer seems to exclude him from this description of this sturdy foundation. In Season 1, episode 3, Homer lost his job in front of his son in the Nuclear Plant. He became the common bum. He would lie on the sofa all day long, doing nothing and with a blank stare at the TV set, while Marge is working at a fast food chain on roller skates. He came to thirst for beer, since he was sober for a while due to lack of finances. With humour he searched for any kind of source for income including Bart’s piggy bank and going that low ,which wasn’t even worth it because it wasn’t even enough for one beer, he then came to a realization of what he has become. He decided on taking his own life by throwing himself in a watery grave. With a boulder around his neck he walked slowly towards the river. This action exhibited man’s reaction in time of weakness and lost of sight for ones purpose in life. However, he still managed to oil the fence upon going out, showing his compulsiveness of taking care of his own home. At the river, on the last minute he was about to throw away his life, his family came to the rescue. However, it turned out that it was Homer who would rescue them in the middle of the intersection from a speeding vehicle, and that is with a boulder hanging around his neck. The instinct of a father protecting his family came in stronger than his human weakness. Then, it dawned on him that the town needs someone to uphold safety around the place. He found his silver lining among the dark clouds. He went against even with his boss, Mr. Burns, just to be able to completely eradicate the town of danger. Mr. Burns even blackmailed Homer of giving his job back if he would just turn back on his own words about the plant’s safety. Homer almost gave in but his principles were as sturdy as his love for his family and community. Although, like water looking for its way back to the sea, Homer still got his job back and was still able to uphold his principle. He became the plant’s safety man. The seemingly ignorant and weakling personality of Homer turned out to be actually a shallow shroud that clothes his inner strength that brought hope and respect not only from his family but from his community as well. He secretly became a beacon to their hearts. He just needed that chance to bring it out of him.            Fathers have always been the icon of providing for his family. Since ancient times, these men are the ones that bring home the slaughtered meal after a dangerous and tedious hunt. Nothing has changed ever since except for the barbarism. Nowadays, the head of the families would still need to â€Å"hunt†for their income in order to provide for their pecuniary needs. Homer Simpsons is the kind of employee that slack-off during work, taking unscheduled doughnut breaks and seemingly doing his job but not actually serious about it. A provider, yes that he could be, but a good one is a dubious fact. In the first episode for season 1, a Christmas special of The Simpsons, Homer established the answer to this question. Mr. Burns joyously announced to the intercom that there is an increase in the safety of the plant but unfortunately no Holiday bonus for the mid-level workers. It saddened everyone, Homer on the other hand was still thankful because they had a â€Å"Christmas jar†that Marge has been keeping. But, little did he know that it was all spent on Bart’s surgery to remove the tattoo he just got. Upon entering the Simpsons home, he knew of the ordeal they are in. Marge had high hopes knowing that he had a Christmas bonus and Homer didn’t have the heart to break the news to his family, not with all those looks that are on tenterhooks. Homer, like our forefathers, hunted for a way to earn some extra income for his family, so that they won’t have to miss Christmas. He found one as a mall’s Santa Claus. He kept it a secret from his family in order to keep his family from worrying and his dignity as well. In a particular scene, it showed Homer going home from his Santa training exhausted and bad enough his sisters-in-law made a visit. Homer never did like them but because of his love for Marge, he still tried to be cou rteous and said his hellos. The gentleness, like any beast or man has, had been placed above the brute that he was. However, Bart discovered his clandestine accidentally but they made a bond not to speak of it. When pay day came Homer only got a measly $13. He got really disappointed but Barney asked him to try his luck on a dog race and take the chance of doubling his earnings. Homer refused for he didn’t want Bart to grow-up with that kind of values. It was Bart who encouraged his dad to take the risk because he believed that miracles happen to unfortunate kids especially in Christmastime. Thus, father and son embarked on the journey to try their luck. But fate made a twist on Bart’s little hope for miracle. The dog they made a bet on lost and so did their measly hope for their Christmas gifts. Broken hearted they went home. However , with a twist of event, the dog ironically named Santa’s little helper, was booted out by its owner and as fate smiled on both unfortunate souls, they found refuge in the arms of one another. Homer brought home the dog and it turned out to be the best Christmas they ever had. Homer indeed provided but not with mere money but with the gift of love for his family.            A father is also a source of wisdom and guidance. He is not just the role model in a family but considered as his children’s hero. A father’s advice is treasured like nothing else and he is remembered with it even until his next life. Homer’s clumsiness and ignorant responses are attitudes wherein a person won’t dare to ask or even take an advice from. He would even sometimes strangle Bart whenever he catches him with his smart alecks. However, that is just a part of his comic act for humour sake. On episode 2 and 5, Homer exhibited the support, love and guidance an ideal father gives in spite of his once-in-a while shallowness. He gave his children a strong arm they can run to and a shoulder they can cry on. Homer handed down his advice as carefully as our forefathers handed down their gift of wisdom to the generations next to them.            Homer Simpsons is a comical proof of what human beings are in an ironic sense. Behind the humour and funny antics is the true father figure we have all known. He merely shows that there is always two sides of the coin, it could either be our bad or our good side. Homer Simpsons simply teaches us that we should never pass judgement to people by a mere look or by the way they talk, because their works and most of all their family might attest to their greatness above all.             References Groening, M et.al Burkes,J. , Simon,S. (Producers). Copyright 1990. Gracie Films. Twentieth                     Century Fox Film Corp.(Distributor).
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