This document provides an analysis of the postmodern elements in the Simpsons episode "Girls Just Want to Have Sums". It identifies several ways the episode exhibits postmodern traits: 1) It uses non-linear narrative and meta-commentary to undermine seriousness. 2) It features the cartoon "Itchy & Scratchy" as a hyperreal simulation. 3) Characters remain stagnant without development. 4) It mocks and parodies political and social issues. The episode itself stereotypes and mocks feminism, representing stereotypical gender roles in a pastiche style that merges genres. Overall, the document concludes the episode has a liberal postmodern attitude of mocking serious subjects through irony.

1. TV case study series: The Simpsons Season 17, episode 19, "GirlsJust
Want to Have Sums".
By Hannah Alley

2. About The Simpsons
 an American animated sitcom created by Matt
Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The
series is a satirical parody of a middle class
American lifestyle epitomized by its dysfunctional
family of the same name, which consists
of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The
show is set in the fictional town of Springfield and
parodies American culture, society, television, and
many aspects of the human condition.

3. What about it is post modern?
 Narrative-speaking, the programme follows a
non-linear narrative creating confusions over time
and space. This is an extremely post-modern
trait, and is very typical of comedy programs, like
Family Guy for example. This trait is made
obvious to the audience when a character may
state something like “oh don’t worry, it’ll all be
alright by the next episode”, making the audience
feel as if the characters are almost aware that
they are in a show.

4.  Furthermore, the programme uses simulacra
and stimulation through using a cartoon within
the actual cartoon, called “Itchy & Scratchy”. In
effect, this show that the two children of The
Simpsons family watch, is a stimulation of the
“real world” of Springfield – essentially a hyper
reality inside a hyper reality. It is also interesting
to note that “Itchy & Scratchy” uses nonconsequential violence just like the cartoon “Tom
& Jerry” and almost seems an exact replicate of
the cartoon, which is ironic.

5.  Another postmodern trait of The Simpsons is that
the programme seems to not be localised in
any other region rather than America, nor any
other period of time than the post modern era. As
well as this, there is no sign of progress being
made within the children in school. For example,
Maggie is forever sucking her dummy, and the
audience never actually witness her growing,
such as learning to walk or talk, etc.. Every single
character’s image stays stagnant.

6.  Lastly, the programme constantly makes fun of
issues in the real world which is a decline of the
meta-narrative, being a frequent theme
throughout. Fun is poked at religion, the
government, social issues and more, with light
consistently being made out of any situation.

7. About the “Girls Just Want to Have
Sums” episode
 Harvard principle Skinner is fired for offending
feminists by suggesting differences in
performance in math/science may be due to
innate differences between men and women. He
is then replaced by women’s educational expert,
Melanie, who demands that the males and
females in Harvard are separated immediately,
and the audience see females treated differently
from now on.

8. What about this episode is postmodern?
 “What is the source of this illusion, or as I call it, the
biggest lie ever told?” Principle Skinner states as he
stands on stage, speaking out to all of the feminist
women before him, who do not look very pleased.
There is an instant display of lack of seriousness and
irony in this clip, as the Principle of the school is
mocking quite a serious topic (feminism). This is a
very post-modern trait as it is making light of
political issues that do happen in the real world.
 Then, a woman in a pink blazer stands up and shouts
“you’re a worse version of Hitler” as she ironically
points her hand out at Skinner, almost as if she is
mimicking Hitler. The irony is reinforced here – the
episode is beginning to look like a parody, as the
topic of Hitler is very serious and a piece of history is
being mocked. Also, another crucial post modern
aspect of this is that it is intertextual by referencing
to Hitler.

9. Stereotypes and mocking of serious
subjects
 Then, Skinner states “please, believe me I
understand the problems of women” as he laughs
and stands to the side in a flowery, pink dress.
The idea that The Simpsons are representing a
stereotype of females here, to all wear floral
dresses, is very post modern as again, this is a
sensitive subject that especially feminists, would
not like to set their eyes upon. The mocking of
serious subjects returns yet again when a child
shouts “ha ha, Skinner’s a tranny”. Of course,
many transsexual individuals could feel deeply
affected by this sort of mention as these “new”
subjects are not usually spoken about, but it is
apparent that the modernity of this program really
does push boundaries.

10. Pastiche
 When the next scene presents the new Principle,
Melanie, teaching her new class of females, there
is an element of pastiche conveyed. It is
interesting to note that the previous scenery was
very traditional and sensible in the school’s
assembly hall, which suddenly switches to an
“airy-fairy”, feminine classroom suddenly full of
purple pufé chairs, flowers and soft-lighting. This
represents the very post modern merging of
looks/genres.

11. Stereotype
 “How do numbers make you feel?” Principle
Melanie passionately asks a student after she
switches on a light that makes fraction symbols
and numbers float around the room. This
presents another stereotype of females to
constantly think with their emotions instead of
thinking rationally and practically, and being “soft”
and “girly”. The fact that The Simpsons
confidently represents this stereotype is very post
modern.

12. What can we conclude from this?
 Overall, it seems that The Simpsons has a
general liberal attitude to serious matters like
Feminism, which can be taken very seriously by
many individuals. I felt that this whole episode
made light of serious issues and was very ironic
and mocking, which of course, is very post
modern.