A Confucius view of The Simpson Family
According the Confucian philosophy, human beings are social beings; that interaction between humans is inevitable, and possibly delineative of the natural order of the universe1. In order for a society to function properly, reciprocity and/or mutual responsibilities between the two parties of the relationship must be fulfilled. Practical society is built up from the family unit sequentially to the bigger civilization. Relationships within a family are especially important in Confucian philosophy since families are the basic social units of society2. It is within the family that the individual fully achieved this human potential3. The media of North America often portraits and reflects upon the average American family, long-running television show “The Simpsons” is such of an example. The Simpson family may not be as competent as Confucius would hope, but ultimately serves the fundamental purpose of a functional society. The Simpsons is a vivid reflection of the functional American family according to Confucian philosophy via practical relationships within the family unit.
The parent child relationship (formerly known as father vs. son), filial piety, is ultimately the virtue of Confucian philosophy4. The relationship is especially important because the parents are the fundamental support of a family. Homer and Marge step into the role of the parent fittingly. Marge fulfills her role as a mother almost too perfectly. She sets a good example to her children being honest, brave, and benevolent. She cares for her children in both physical and mental aspects. She is always open to Bart and Lisa if they ever want to talk to her and supports her children when they need her, all the while not forgetting to pack their favourite lunch. Marge speaks the truth when she says: “The only thing I’m high on is love; love for my son and daughters.” (“Home Sweet Home-Diddily-Dum-Doodily”5)6. Marge takes care of her children because in doing so, she is able to contribute to the good of the family.7 Homer, on the other hand, is a different story. Homer is selfish enough to sometimes put his own interest above that of his children. He often provides vulgar examples for Bart and Lisa. His impulsiveness often leads to child-abuse (habitually strangling Bart). Countless times, however, Homer learns his lesson and corrects these mistakes eventually. At the end of the day he is able to step up to his role, or at least try to. Homer could have chosen to work at the bowling alley which he loved, but instead he is willing to sacrifice that and work at a nuclear plant that he hates in order to provide for the family. (“And Maggie Makes Three” cool . Homer is able to set aside his personal benefit for the sake of Lisa, such examples include when he cuts off the cable cord which he stole (“Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment”9), entering Lisa for a beauty pageant in order to help her self-esteem (“Lisa the Beauty Queen”10), and getting a second job to help Lisa buy a pony (“Lisa’s Pony”11). To Bart, he may not set the best example, but often with some help and inspiration, he can step up to the role. With the help of Marge, Homer teaches Bart to treat women with respect (“Homer’s Night Out”12). Homer is also able to carry out punishment effectively for the sake of his children. In “Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie”13 he penalizes Bart for being irresponsible, which ultimately leads to amazing result, as Bart becomes Chief Justice of the Supreme count. At the end of the day, Homer manages to pull his weight and care for his children. Homer is always there for his children; he may not be a great father, but at least he can try.
While it is the duty of the parent is to take care of the child, it is also the responsibility of the child to serve the parent.14 The Simpsons children do their best to care for and stand by their parents. Lisa helps Marge with innumerable things in life; she respect Homer as a father and aid him with her intelligence. Even Maggie, the silent toddler, doubtlessly rescues her father from a mafia showdown (“Papa’s Got a Brand New Badge”15) Bart often causes trouble for his parents with his misbehavior in town, but compensate to his parents by standing up for them when needed. Bart cares for Marge countless times. He offers to hang out with Marge when everyone else rejects her (“Marge’s Son Poisoning”16) and he willingly sacrifices his life in “Earthland Realms” for her (“Marge Gamer”17). To the public, the Simpsons’ way (especially Homer’s) of raising children may not be very pleasing (“Home Sweet Home-Diddily-Dum-Doodily”1 cool , but despite being accused of dysfunctional, The Simpsons fulfill the Confucian parent children relationship. Homer and Marge are dearly attached to Bart, Lisa and Maggie, and vise versa. At the end of the day, the family reunites as one.
According to Confucius, the wife is expected to serve the husband while the husband is expected to provide for the wife.19 In modern Confucianism though, mutual understanding and respect between the husband and the wife is valued. The relationship of the husband and wife is very important in the aspect that it is the basic unit that often provides the foundation of a family. Homer and Marge work out quite well; they are able to compromise with each other. Marge is able to sacrifice her ambitions and dreams for Homer, from being in an elitist social circle (“Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield”20) to becoming a bodybuilding champion (“Strong Arms of the Ma”21). Homer every so often lies to Marge due to his selfishness, but at the end of the day he is there for her. He leaves his newlywed wife determined to find a job in order to provide for her (“I Married Marge”22). He claims Marge as his soul mate (“The Mysterious Voyage of Homer”23) and aids her whenever he has time. Although sometimes Homer’s help is not very efficient, such as when helping Marge’s pretzel business by doing to the mafia for assistance (“The Twisted World of Marge Simpson”24), but at least he tries. Homer and Marge fulfill the Confucian philosophy of husband and wife because they are willing to make sacrifices and compromises in order to help maintaining their relationship, this indicates mutual respect and affection.
In Confucian philosophy, a younger sibling is expected to treat the older sibling with dignity and respect, while the older sibling cares for the young with generosity and benevolence25. Although in modern Confucianism, both parties are expected to treat the other with mutual values and morals mentioned above. Bart and Lisa’s relationship is especially fitting of the Confucius philosophy as they cherish and care for each other. In the episode “Lisa on Ice26”, Bart and Lisa experienced a typical case of sibling rivalry when their teams play against each other at a hockey game. In the climax of the face off the siblings throw away their hockey equipments and declares truce, as they remember the love and bond they share. Poignant flashbacks appear, including when Lisa puts a bandage on Bart when he fell and Bart giving Lisa his ice cream when she dropped hers. These flashbacks, along with the hockey game, indicate that the siblings share mutual love and respect for each other. Another case of sibling rivalry happens between Lisa and Maggie in “Smart and Smarter27”. Maggie succeed on an IQ test and is deemed to be smarter than Lisa. Lisa is runs away from home in fear of ruining Maggie’s future due to jealousy. A series of incidents causes Bart, Marge and Homer to struggle for their lives with only Maggie can save them. Lisa overcomes her insecurity and advises Maggie on how to save the family. In the end viewers find out that Maggie only succeeded on the IQ test because Lisa was unconsciously giving her hints. Lisa’s act of unconsciously helping Maggie indicates that she is willing to nurture Maggie generously, while Maggie respects Lisa as an older sister, listening to Lisa’s instructions and saves their parents. Climactically, Bart, Lisa and Maggie are able to accomplish a healthy sibling relationship by loving and respecting each other.
To sum up the above, The Simpsons is a vivid reflection of the dysfunctional but practical American family according to Confucian philosophy by means of practical family relationships. As asserted by Confucian philosophy, proper interactions between human beings ultimately result in a functional society. The family was the natural environment for moral training and the bridge between the individual and society29. The ideal society would be a harmony of the perfect individual and a well-ordered society based on the mutual moral obligations of the human relationships30. The Simpsons’ version of the average North American family may not be as competent as it can be, but serves the fundamental purpose of a functional society.
End Notes
1. "Confucian Thoughts." Columbia University - Asia for Educatiors. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/china/philo/confuc.htm#Religious%20Life>.
2. Ibid.
3. Hoobler, Thomas, and Dorothy Hoobler. Confucianism . New York: Facts On File, 2004., 10
4. "Confucian Thoughts." Columbia University - Asia for Educatiors. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/china/philo/confuc.htm#Religious%20Life>.
5. "The Simpsons Episode Guide." TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
6. Irwin, William, Mark T. Conard, and Aeon J. Skoble. The Simpsons and Philosophy. N.p.: Open Court, 2002. , 52
7. Ibid.
8. "The Simpsons Episode Guide." TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid
11. Ibid.
12. Ibid
13. Ibid.
14. Taylor, Rodney L. Confucianism. N.p.: Chelsea House Publishers, 2004., 77
15. "The Simpsons Episode Guide." TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
19. Taylor, Rodney L. Confucianism. N.p.: Chelsea House Publishers, 2004., 77
20 "The Simpsons Episode Guide." TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
21.Ibid.
22. Ibid.
23. Ibid.
24. Ibid.
25. Taylor, Rodney L. Confucianism. N.p.: Chelsea House Publishers, 2004., 77
26. "The Simpsons Episode Guide." TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
27. Ibid.
28. Ibid.
29. Hoobler, Thomas, and Dorothy Hoobler. Confucianism . New York: Facts On File, 2004., 10
30. The Encyclopedia of PHilosophy Volume 1 and 2. N.p.: Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996., 298
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