The Simpsons: The typical americans

What is the relationship between stereotypes of Americans and the television series The Simpsons? Well, we can define that the series represents what we know as a "typical American citizen", with their customs, clothes and manners.

Before presenting and analyzing the North American stereotypes present in the series and the possible causes that made them appear, let's define what stereotypes are.

What are stereotypes?

Stereotypes are impressions, prejudices or “labels” created in a generalized way and simplified by common sense. They are produced by cultures and broadcast in different media, such as television and the internet.

According to Barros (2010), stereotypes are pre-established images about a social class, making individuals and cultures generic qualities, which can be appreciative or derogatory.

Therefore, we can conclude that stereotypes are generic attributions, which may contain derogatory content, that is, prejudice.

Now that we know what stereotypes are, what is their relationship with The Simpsons? Let's continue reading!

Representation of stereotypes on television

The cartoon is a satirical parody of America's middle-class lifestyle, epitomized by the combined family of Homer Jay Simpson, Marjorie (Marge) Bouvier Simpson, Bartholomew (Bart) Simpson, Elisabeth (Lisa) Marie Simpson, and Margareth (Maggie) Simpson. .

The cartoon takes place in the fictional town of Springfield and satirizes American culture and society, television and various aspects of the human condition.

But what is a satire? Satire is a literary style that criticizes political and moral institutions, habits and customs. Therefore, this form of criticism matches (and a lot!) with what is addressed in The Simpsons series, doesn't it?

Homer J. Simpson

Homer's most common personality traits are stupidity, laziness, selfishness, he has a low level of intelligence and is always involved in a problem due to his irresponsibility or childish and immature attitudes.

Homer represents several stereotypes of working-class Americans: he is rude, overweight,

incompetent, lazy, ignorant and loves to eat donuts; however, he is very devoted to his family.

His gestures are a parody of the typical American: he is a heavy beer drinker, likes to eat Donuts, watch TV all day, and sleep a lot.

In a BBC online poll, the character Homer Simpson is beating the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King as the "greatest American" of all time. Homer had 23% as of Thursday's end, compared to second-place Abraham Lincoln's 14% and Martin Luther King's 13%.

Therefore, the character Homer Simpson is considered, by the Americans themselves, as a representation of themselves.