Monday 15 November 2010

The Simpsons

1. How are the famlies in these texts represented typically? How is this representation constructed?

The characters are a dominant representation of a family, and the text reinforces this patriarchal society by exaggeraing the stereotypes...

Marge: Very motherly and caring/ stereotypical housewife role/looks after the children

Homer: Immature, irresponsible father/ breadwinner/ yet lazy and simplistic charater

Bart: Mischevious young boy/ childish/ naughty

Lisa: Smart daughter/ sensible/ cares about her education

Maggie: Innocent baby/doesn't do much/ now and then surprises the audience with maturity

2. What insitutions are involved in these texts and do they affect the representations of these families?

The Simpsons is currently broadcast on Channel 4: A terrestrial channel which is accessible to anyone with a TV- this reflects it use of traditional and paticharchal representations of a channel, but are sometimes challenged for humor.

3. The role of politics and the media

The Simpsons: The family representations reflect dominant representations in historical examples e.g. patriarchal society (females are motherly housewives and males are the family money makers). However, these ideologies are challenged e.g. at times the female characters control the father figures/ the fathers are lazy and immature.

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