While watching the Simpsons I realized that although the Simpson family is working class, money and the family's finances are really just skimmed over. They're actual income is basically unknown and never talked about. Homers job classifies him as working class, however the Simpsons live in a well to do neighborhood, and in a rather large house.
Homer Simpsons character is the stereotypical working class Dad character. The working class dad is viewed as inferior to the wife and children, as well as general society. They are concerned with their well-being over everyone else’s, and have extreme views. Homer drinks duff beer constantly. He is seen at the local bar with his friends while Marge is left to chase after their children. The thing that sets homer apart from other working class Dad characters is the fact that he is animated. He can get away with saying more, and doing more on his TV show more than any other working class Dad character. For example, if Homer was not an animated character he would surly be in jail by now for child negligence and abuse from leaving his baby alone, and strangling his son Bart. Also, rather than people and viewers laughing at his obscene and controversial remarks he would most likely be out casted, and the show may be seen in a different light.
The other working class Dad characters salaries and finances are usually at the forefront. Viewers are aware of the characters jobs, and salaries and money issues come into play on their sitcoms often. What Homer and the other Dads all have in common in the end is their stereotyped sitcom character. They’re the reason we all watch the show because we associate the working class Dad with being inferior yet comical, and find comfort in knowing who that character is even if it’s our first time watching a particular show.
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