Simpsonology: There's a Little Bit of Springfield in All of Us

by Tim Delaney

In this amusing and informative appreciation of The Simpsons, sociologist Tim Delaney looks at the many ways America's longest-running sitcom and animated TV program reflects American culture. For more than fifteen years, the Simpsons have touched upon nearly every aspect of the American social scene―from family dynamics and social mores to local customs and national institutions. With over four hundred episodes aired so far, Delaney finds a goldmine of insights couched in parody on any number of perennial • On television's influence on American culture, Krusty the Clown says, "Would it really be worth living in a world without television? I think the survivors would envy the dead."• On New Age religion, Homer says, "To think, I turned to a cult for mindless happiness when I had beer all along." • On the thorny issue of gun ownership and home security, Homer purchases a pistol at "Bloodbath and Beyond" and then tells Marge, "I don't have to be careful, I got a gun."• On the theme of community spirit, Bart thoughtlessly signs up with a local Boy Scout troop while on a sugar rush from eating a "Super-Squishee." The next day he realizes what he has "Oh, no. I joined the Junior Campers!" To which his sister, Lisa, "The few, the proud, the geeky."Delaney finds many more episodes relevant to major sociological issues such as environmentalism, feminism, romance and marriage, politics, education, health, aging, and more. Students of popular culture and laypersons alike will learn basic sociological concepts and theories in a refreshing, jargon-free work that offers plenty of entertainment.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology

411 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2008

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't give up on books easily, but I can't go any further than 100 pages on this one. That's 1/4 of the book, and I think that's fair. The author gets two stars for an interesting concept that I actually want to read about, and the divisions of chapters SHOULD be a perfect organization.

Here's the problem: This is written like someone's bad college paper. As in, it is all citations and no ORIGINAL THOUGHT. It reads like a categorized synopsis of each episode, and that doesn't interest me. Why not delve deep into the "why" of what the show is about. As in "Why did the writers choose to highlight this particular political topic?" or "Why does Bart act the way he does in this episode?" or anything resembling a psychological analysis of the Simpson family that takes evidence from the shows, research done on real humans (or something about other TV characters) and writes in a cohesive narrative that is funny and thought-provoking. A lot to ask, I know, but other authors have done it, and I now expect more.

If I want a synopsis of the episodes, I'll go read the backs of the DVD's.

[Kellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tim Delaney delivers a mushy love letter to the long-running animated series. The book provides a quick introduction to the series – which you might need if you have been living on another planet for the past twenty years.

The book is divided into fifteen chapters on broad themes such as "Friendship and Community," "Love and Marriage," and "Religion and Other Things We Believe In." Each chapter summarizes selected episodes that touch on these themes and includes humorous quotes. This book will probably remind fans of favorite episodes and quotes, and it mentions newer episodes as well as classics. Unfortunately, the analysis that follows the narration feels superficial and obvious, and the author has a regrettable tendency to get sidetracked on tangents of questionable relevance.

"The Simpsons" defiantly asked questions and challenged the status quo – and it made us laugh. Unfortunately, Simpsonology isn't nearly as engaging. If you want well-written, funny pop culture analysis, I recommend Chuck Klosterman.

Full review originally published by Feminist Review.

[Nothing · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an earlier comment from a reader named Elaine discussed, this book is a wonderful concept but it is mostly a synopsis of relevant episodes and very little discussion of the sociology and psychology behind said episodes. A lot of studies are cited, often in a jumbled way, and it jumps in to a synopsis or two then moves on!
As an avid student of all things psychology & sociology related, I was thrilled to find this and disappointed by the result. There are so many different avenues one could get in to regarding the social sciences of the Simpsons, and tbis book barely skimmed the surface.

[Jen Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Simpsons really have entertained a generation and is a real demonstration of popular culture. Although many of the situations are exaggerated, the Simpsons do represent the typical American middle-class family, living paycheck to paycheck and dealing with issues that are undeniably part of our everyday (culture, religion, family, sports, education, family, health, race, gender, identity, etc.).

[Samrudhi Sridharan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a 2.5 for me.
I am all for analysis of popular culture and reading into the meaning of different things, but this book? It was just...so clinical. I wrote my high school English exams like this book was written.
However, I adored the amount of research put into the whole thing. And, obviously, the amount of effort.

[Alec · Rating 2 out of 5]

A look at society with the simpsons as a case study. if you do not love the simpsons and wanna learn about society pick up a sociology book. If you do love the simpsons and wanna learn about society then this might be for you.

[Skip (David) Everling]

Gift from Michelle