The Simpsons: why Homer is becoming more and more stupid

With 35 seasons broadcast since 1989, Homer Simpson is certainly one of the best-known characters in contemporary pop culture. This character, first created in to describe an ordinary father and the dysfunctions of the American model, is today best known for his boundless stupidity which seems inexorably to grow from year to year. However, the last episode of season 35 has just answered this question. this dizzying and infinite drop in IQ that seems to hit Homer.

Homer pushes the limits of stupidity; human tise

It is relatively obvious today thatthe character of Homer Simpson is one of the most influential in the history of modern fiction.Without him, there would be no Peter Griffin (Family Guy), Richard Watterson (Gumball) or even Al in Malcolm . Beyond even from his image of a failing father which has now infused himself with in all American fiction,its stupidity is without bound is at; it alone is a model regularly plundered by other humorous fictions.

However, his stupidity, which was not at the At the beginning of the series, one of the elements of his personality has now amplifiedand is almost his only character trait. This intellectual degradation has often been pointed out, sometimes even within the series. In the United States, fans of the show, like its detractors, even nickname Homer « Jerkass Homer ; which could be roughly translated as « Homer the bastard ». Indeed,his stupidity The sickly woman is now the driving force behind many intrigues,since her unpleasant, rude, or selfish actions inevitably cause disasters to which her family must then react.< /p>

As we go along measure of the seasons, certain authors have used this stupidity as the subject of their intrigues.In these episodes, we play on Homer’s ignorance or the physical smallness of his brain to put him at the heart of intrigues where this particularity physical or intellectual can paradoxically help him.Other authors have even sought to help him. à explain why Homer was stupid. The best known explanation is that he had a pencil stuck in his hand. in the nose.But never an explanation « rational » about the obvious progressive and continuous deterioration of his intellectual level had not been explained. data; until’à today.

Finally, an explanation « rational » à Homer’s stupidity

In episode 18 of season 35 of The Simpsons, Bart’s Brain,Bart bought a human brain in a jar in Herman's military surplus store. After yet another mistake, the teacher, Mrs. Peyton, punishes Bart by asking him to treat the brain like a baby. and to watch over him for several weeks, keeping a diary of the experience. Inevitably, Bart ends up becoming emotionally attached to her. the organ. Unfortunately, he temporarily entrusts him to another hospital. Homer who, at will in a somewhat conventional twist, ends up confusing the jar of the brain with that of pickled eggs. When Bart, depressed, ends up asking for help. Moe which may well push Homer to do more; becoming more and more stupidwith the years that pass, Moe shows a surprising lucidity.

Moe is certainly one of the characters who knows t the best all the less rosy sidesby Homer. However, for this witness « privileged » of the decline of Bart's father, the explanation is as coldly rational as it is particularly sad. For the bartender of Springfield,Homer passedé in recent years at drink alcohol without any moderation(he is more or less alcoholic) and work in a nuclear power plant whose safety conditions are uncompromising. Sanitary conditions are deplorable. À his eyes, it seems obvious thatthe mixture of alcohol and radiation can only contribute to the damage. destroy Homer Simpson's neuronal capacities a little more each year.

Of course, from a more down-to-earth point of view; On earth, it is obvious that the real reason for the continualdegradation of Homer's IQ is simply to do with it. search in the comfort and well-established conventions of the authors of the series who for 35 years have had to search for new stories for this character that everyone knows by heart. However, it must be recognized that this explanation from Moe is certainly the most plausible proposed so far from a narrative point of view.