Rebel Analyzes Your Favorite Cartoons

rebel_of_nowhere's getting all cerebral. And we're getting a burrito. —Sparkitors

After analyzing Holden Caulfield, East of Eden, and the works of Franz Kafka in high school, it is really nice to enjoy something that doesn’t require your brain being burned down to a small, gray dot. But even in the childish refuge of cartoons, you can’t help noticing real world problems and issues. Just because they’re cute and two dimensional doesn’t mean cartoons can’t embody some truths about human nature! Here are the big-deal, real-world fundamental messages (that might be) the driving force for some of our favorite cartoons:

Tom & Jerry: The antagonistic relationship between political parties.

Politics seems to be a cat and mouse game, minus cheese. Political parties offer each other compromises, use underhanded tricks, and at the end of the day somehow put on a happy face and seem to get along for the cameras. The highs and lows in Tom and Jerry’s relationship might mirror the ever-changing landscape of political relationships.

Ed, Edd, n Eddie: Sibling rivalry.

These three guys, or as I like to call them, Team Crash and Burn (do they ever do anything right?), resonate with all of us on the issue of siblings. Admit it, sometimes you really want to bonk your brother on the head with a plank of wood. But as much as you seem to hate each other, you really do have some good old times together.

Calvin in Calvin and Hobbes: Cynicism is both a curse and virtue.

Calvin is the ultimate cynic. He refuses any form of happiness, is full of sarcastic opinions about life, and lives in a world of denial. Maybe he’s not the most cheerful of souls, but he certainly has some valid points.

The Jetsons: Technology is overtaking us.

When was the last time you went for a run instead of chatting on Facebook? Much like us, the Jetsons are dominated by technology. Hovering vehicles and conveyor belt sidewalks aside, it is possible to have too many useful things in life. It's the simple challenges that make life worthwhile, like knowing that the walk to the cookie jar (probably) burned off all the calories in the cookie you're about to consume.

The Flintstones: History repeats itself.

Despite our technological advancements, we seem to get stuck in the same old ruts. History repeats itself. If we can relate to cavemen, it means the human race hasn't changed that much. I know I can relate—I desperately want a pet dinosaur. You can have one, too, but I call a purple one.

Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends: Many kids don't have parents or traditional, healthy family lives.

Haiti, the tsunami a few years back, the wars in the Middle East... our world contains more than six billion people, and with the economy in the tank, a growing population, and recent natural disasters, the number of orphans is rising. Foster is kind enough to welcome in his imaginary friends into his home, and this is a lesson that we should all help children in need.

Speed Racer: Americans don't take the time to enjoy life.

Have you ever gotten through a day, sat down, and then wondered what you actually did for all those hours? Life seems to be such a blur sometimes! We focus on the major things—tests, jobs, etc., without stopping and enjoying the little things. No wonder people find Europe so relaxing; their pace of daily life is generally much slower than ours. If Speed Racer ever slowed down, he’d a) stop running into traps, and b) be able to enjoy life at a non-breakneck speed.

Scooby Doo!: Teens are known for making irresponsible choices, like drugs.

Ever wonder why Scooby and Shaggy are always hungry? Now you know. No mystery what they’ve got in that van. Drug use is a huge problem among teenagers, and so is abandoning education and dropping out of school (seriously, when was the last time those kids ever had class?). Instead of getting up to trouble like that, there are so many other constructive things teenagers can do with their time.

Johnny Bravo: People are obsessed with appearances.

We’re surrounded by stick thin models, celebrities endorsing weight loss products, and a mind-boggling array of anti-aging treatments. Besides the fact that it’s going to be alarming when your grandmother resembles your best friend, we’re altogether too obsessed with looks. People say it’s what is on the inside that counts, and yet society doesn’t really seem to believe this.

Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner: The human need for satire, as the traditional cat and mouse antagonism is parodied.

Someone once said that sarcasm is the poor man’s wit. I disagree. Sarcasm, such as satire, is the ultimate wit! This show is an example of how the use of satire can offer a different world view, and put a new, more removed and academic spin on a tired archetype.

What do you think your favorite cartoons are getting at?

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