Metuzalem
05-07-2006, 06:14 AM
Myth has it that The Smurfs is just a harmless children's cartoon programme. But could it actually be a plot by the Natoinal Broadcasting Company to increase television viewing by promoting anti-intellectual propoganda? Or could the programme be even more corrupt in encouraging an authoritarian state where individual thought is discouraged?
The Smurfs way of life may appear to be idyllic and there is certainly none of the unpleasantness that may plague other societies and civilisations. However, this peacable attitude is not democratic but dictatorial and while Papa Smurf may come across as a benign, rather bumbling old fool, his subjects must be wary of their future, should their leader's kindly nature change. And the question of quite how he wields his power must also be adressed - Smurf incest, it would appear, is rampant, and one does start to wonder whether in fact Papa Smurf fathered the whole village. Moreover, he seems to be completely lacking in any kind of forethought, because in denying anyone any access to the library, and thus any development in individual thought, there will be a bit of a problem once he dies. And he can't pretend to himself that he will carry on forever. There will be no-one to replace him. Perhaps the Smurf dynasty will only have a limited run.
Smurf illiteracy is wide-spread, even if this is not stated explicitly. it's certainly not the done thing to admit to being able to read, even if you can actually do so, with the sole exception of Brainy Smurf whose erudite tit-bits of information ostracise him completely from the village. His readings are clearly not appreciated by the community, and even Papa Smurf only keeps up a clever appearance of studying his books of magic. His magic spells are all actually a complete sham, as he had to look them all up, and while he claims to be studying, he is in fact otherwise engaged, sometimes, it would seem, in the company of Smurfette.
The hand of the village's only female, not to say demi-goddess, provokes ongoing rivalry. Hefty Smurf is himself a demi-god, and Handy Smurf, if not blessed with good looks, is the epitome of manual dexterity, and it would seem that they stand the most chance. Poor old Poet and Brainy Smurf don't seem to be the village Cassanovas.
Moreover, vocabulary is reduced to an all-time low, freedom of expression is stamped upon and all communication is moulded into the official party line. The Smurf language seems to operate on the grammatical basis the word "smurf" does for any other word and can be substituted for any part of speech if the correct word is elusive. Even the Smurf National Anthem is somewhat restricted consisting only of one word, going along the lines of "la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la..." The complete lack of intellectual and technological progress in the immobile Smurf society seems to be a fairly transparently veiled message to viewers that they should become passive and completely devoid of initiative.
By indoctrinating its youngest viewers with a scorn for education, the programme was effetcively planning a nation of couch potatoes who would not question the way of things. One student commented, "I always knew there was something funny about that show. My parents never wanted me to watch it. They actually preferred that I watch other programmes full of senseless violence. Now I know why."
Fact. :D
The Smurfs way of life may appear to be idyllic and there is certainly none of the unpleasantness that may plague other societies and civilisations. However, this peacable attitude is not democratic but dictatorial and while Papa Smurf may come across as a benign, rather bumbling old fool, his subjects must be wary of their future, should their leader's kindly nature change. And the question of quite how he wields his power must also be adressed - Smurf incest, it would appear, is rampant, and one does start to wonder whether in fact Papa Smurf fathered the whole village. Moreover, he seems to be completely lacking in any kind of forethought, because in denying anyone any access to the library, and thus any development in individual thought, there will be a bit of a problem once he dies. And he can't pretend to himself that he will carry on forever. There will be no-one to replace him. Perhaps the Smurf dynasty will only have a limited run.
Smurf illiteracy is wide-spread, even if this is not stated explicitly. it's certainly not the done thing to admit to being able to read, even if you can actually do so, with the sole exception of Brainy Smurf whose erudite tit-bits of information ostracise him completely from the village. His readings are clearly not appreciated by the community, and even Papa Smurf only keeps up a clever appearance of studying his books of magic. His magic spells are all actually a complete sham, as he had to look them all up, and while he claims to be studying, he is in fact otherwise engaged, sometimes, it would seem, in the company of Smurfette.
The hand of the village's only female, not to say demi-goddess, provokes ongoing rivalry. Hefty Smurf is himself a demi-god, and Handy Smurf, if not blessed with good looks, is the epitome of manual dexterity, and it would seem that they stand the most chance. Poor old Poet and Brainy Smurf don't seem to be the village Cassanovas.
Moreover, vocabulary is reduced to an all-time low, freedom of expression is stamped upon and all communication is moulded into the official party line. The Smurf language seems to operate on the grammatical basis the word "smurf" does for any other word and can be substituted for any part of speech if the correct word is elusive. Even the Smurf National Anthem is somewhat restricted consisting only of one word, going along the lines of "la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la..." The complete lack of intellectual and technological progress in the immobile Smurf society seems to be a fairly transparently veiled message to viewers that they should become passive and completely devoid of initiative.
By indoctrinating its youngest viewers with a scorn for education, the programme was effetcively planning a nation of couch potatoes who would not question the way of things. One student commented, "I always knew there was something funny about that show. My parents never wanted me to watch it. They actually preferred that I watch other programmes full of senseless violence. Now I know why."
Fact. :D