POSTMODERNISMThe Simpsons

The Primary ParodyTraditional Family Values Homer: Marge, there's an

empty spot I've always had inside me. I tried to fill it with family, religion, community service, but those were dead ends! I think this chair is the answer.

Homer: Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose; it's how drunk you get.

PLURALISM Lisa: It's awful being a kid. No one listens to you.Abe: It's rotten being old. No one listens to you.Homer: I'm a white male, age 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me -- no matter how dumb my suggestions are.Simpsons in Australiahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJOdpwL6X6A

INTERTEXTUALITYOpenly borrowing

from the conventions, story or techniques of another work

A Streetcar Named Marge:

• A Streetcar Named Desire• The Birds – Hitchcock• The Great Escape• Citizen Kane• Ayn Rand

Also treated satirically:• Theatre Directors, theatre

generally

PASTICHE – a homagehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcmM7Jh2Y3k http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=WcRr-Fb5xQo

The criticism of postmodernism: Flat, depthless, glossy and without an understanding of history

ECLECTICISM & HyperREALITYA fusion of genres, themes, influences and techniques

EXAMPLE: Treehouse of Horror Musical, Horror,

Comedy, also borrows from cult classics (influences/intertextuality)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adnXGZ-IAa0

Treehouse of Horror Homer3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h0_6SdKNh4&list=TL-iH4XYnCGr4

FRAGMENTATIONSubversion of Grand NarrativesEverything is Subjective: no unified world viewEpisodes ‘all over the place’ with tangents and

digressionsEXAMPLE: 22 Short Films About Springfield

Review of 22 Short Films About Springfield which looks into the lives of many of the Springfield characters; key influence in ‘Pulp Fiction’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl_e5Y7z8jc

APPROPRIATIONthe difference between ‘appropriation’ and ‘pastiche’ or ‘homage’ is re-contextualising

IRONY vs. Sarcasm? BART: Dad, thanks to television, I can't remember what happened eight minutes ago. [Everyone laughs uproariously except Bart] No, really, I can't! It's a serious problem. [Everyone laughs again, and Bart finally relents and laughs too] What are we all laughing about?HOMER: [joyously] Who cares? Anyways....

MARGE: It's not like you go to museums or read books or anything.HOMER: You think I don't want to? It's those TV networks, Marge: they won't let me. One quality show after another, each one fresher and more brilliant than the last. If they only stumbled once, just gave us thirty minutes to ourselves, but they won't! They won't let me live!

MetatextualityBart: Hey, Lis, look! They're adding a new character to Itchy & Scratchy! Poochie the dog?!Lisa: Adding a new character is often a desperate attempt to boost low ratings.Roy: Yo, yo! How's it hangin', everybody!Marge: Morning, Roy!Homer: Yeah, hi, Roy.

And the point of pointlessness?Anti-authoritarianSubversiveSkepticalIconoclastic

Attacks religious, political, academic or legal authority: everything is subjective

Authority figures are made fun of, are incompetent or corrupt

Nothing can be known for certain

Established beliefs and institutions are challenged

ReferencesA Streetcar Named Marge http://

simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/A_Streetcar_Named_Marg retrieved 13 August 2013

Bjornsson 2006, Postmodernism and The Simpsons – Intertextuality, Hyperreality and Critique of Metanarratives