More than a cartoon, The Simpsons They consolidate as a reflection of society, exaggerated, but deeply recognizable. Even in its most absurd episodes, the series raises social criticisms that bother and questions that invite reflection. In a context where information is diluted and politics is confused with the show, this production remains one of the few capable of observing reality with clarity and critical sense.
“The Simpsons They became a cultural reference of social criticism. In the beginning it was another cartoon, even seen by young children, but very soon it was clear that it was designed for an adult audience. We were the adults who became their greatest fans because the series did an exercise in permanent criticism of the daily life of American society, ”explains Javier Zarate Taborga, a professor of the journalism career at Franz Tamayo University, Unifranz.
Although his fame is based on humor, The Simpsons They exerted a constant influence in areas such as politics, education, family relationships and even in the way reality is perceived. Many of his episodes have been taken as predictions, when in reality they were early readings of social problems. With more than three decades in broadcast, the series demonstrated a notable capacity to anticipate the changes in the world.
“The interesting thing is that they did not portray that United States as Friends either Seinfeldwith human characters in coastal cities. The Simpsons They reflected that impoverished middle class in the center of the country, with precarious jobs, old cars and incompetent figures both in economic power and in the police, all from the cartoon, which allowed them to show things impossible to reproduce with real actors, ”says the teacher.
The World Simpson day is celebrated every April 19 because on a similar date, but 1987, this yellow family made its first appearance on television. Although it was not until 1989 that they premiered their own series, that first sketch It was the starting point of a story that would transform global entertainment. Since then, the Simpsons went from being a simple animation to a tool to interpret the present, and sometimes the future.
A cultural product and social satire
Antonio Letelier, academic at the School of Psychology of the University of Santiago (Usach), argues that, like all the products of society where mass media are central, there are cultural products that are installed as identification vehicles.
“The Simpsons They synthesize the imperfect experience of the individual who lives in a neoliberal society, account for the discomfort of that subject because they do not represent the ‘ideal family’, they represent rather a lack, a symptom, the transvaluation of capitalist societies, ”he says.
Along the same lines, Zárate explains that from the third or fourth season, the series began to reflect deeper contradictions of Western culture in general.
“Global characters, sport, politics, international figures that were part of an exercise in generalized criticism at the social moment of the world began to appear,” he adds.
From the first corrupt mayor to the grotesque portraits of presidents, the Simpsons had no repair to portray the absurd power. His criticism was transverse against empty politicians, absurd campaigns, manipulable citizens, systems that do not work. In Springfield, all public offices are a cartoon, but also a warning. Behind the humor there is a serious message, when power becomes a show, democracy loses the course.
“Seeing a chapter of the 90s, today, can be incomprehensible to someone 20 years old, because The Simpsons They responded to a very specific social reality. That is why they needed a contemporary interpretation code. And that is where its value lies, they were a criticism made since and for their time, but that left a mark on those who lived it, ”says the academic.
A source of learning
Many teachers resort to Simpson chapters to explain complex issues; From critical thinking to economic theories. The series became an alternative learning source because it is accessible, visual and full of cultural references.
“Yeah, The Simpsons They managed to bother power several times within the United States. But over time, being portrayed by the series became a source of pride. Becoming an episode character was a symbol of cultural relevance. Even Trump appeared in the series long before being president, ”says the university teacher.
The Simpsons They ceased to be a series designed exclusively for the American public and became a global phenomenon, with an especially deep influence in Latin America. In the region, the series was not only seen, but culturally appropriate. Many of their jokes, situations and characters ended up integrating the day to day of several generations.
“He spoke of the World Cup, environmental crises, economic power and even issues such as nuclear industry, with icons such as the three -eyed fish or Mr. Burns. That made it a form of critical representation of the western world,” says Zárate.
Historical and cultural contribution
More than 30 years of its creation, and with more than 700 chapters issued, the impact of this series remains in force. Although many criticize that the last seasons lost freshness, the historical and cultural value of the series is undeniable. They were pioneers in talking about uncomfortable issues, such as religion, sexuality, censorship, racism or environmental destruction, long before they were a trend.
“Although his criticism was episodic and not always constant, if one does the intentional exercise of looking at the series as a whole, The Simpsons They can be understood as an interesting, and entertaining example, of social criticism. It was not a systematic criticism, but deep in key moments, ”he concludes.
The Simpsons They taught us that it is possible to look at the world with irony while taking it seriously, that the system can be criticized from a cartoon, that humor can be deeper than a political discourse. In times where everything seems to be on the verge of collapse, they are still there, with their bright yellow, their eternal sarcasm and their unique ability to make us laugh, just before we think.
