“A Reflection on the movie “The Simpsons”

“The Simpsons” is indeed an all time favorite movie. It will keep you smiling most of the time, and every now and then it will just crack you up. It maintains the humor from the very start until the very end of the movie. It does not only bring simple fun but it carries learning and realization as well in the part of the viewers. The movie touches issues in lined with family, environment and governance.

In terms of family, the movie depicts the scenario wherein a son longs for a father’s love. He felt jealous of an orphaned pig adapted by his father which, in the later part of the movie, became the bone of contention between the family and the residence of the Springfield due to the waste thrown by Homer Simpson at the river. The son desires for his father’s love and attention which he had found from their neighbor. The father (Homer Simpson) shows stupidity and apathy towards his family’s emotion especially in his son.

With regards to environment, the movie promotes awareness in environmental issues such as global warming and pollution.  It was shown in the movie that volatile and toxic substances contaminate our environment particularly bodies of water. It was also portrayed in the movie how those substances as well as the wrong practices of Homer Simpson (who sets off an ecological disaster when he dumps a toxic silo full of “leavings” from his pet pig, Plopper into the already-volatile Lake Springfield) affects the lives of the residents in the particular area.

Lastly, in relation to governance, the movie emphasizes social responsibility. Howard Simpson and his family was in dilemma whether to surrender themselves to the authorities for causing contamination to the river or to live in a place where they can be far from Springfield, the town which was enclosed in a giant doom as a punishment for what the Simpsons did.  Governance was evident in the society were they live as well as in the family where they belong . In the family the father made decision specifically in the scene where he adapted the pig and took good care of it. In their community, Environmental Protection Agency regulates rules and laws with regards to proper treatment and usage of resources. Authorities strongly exercise their power towards their subordinates by encouraging them to follow the set rules and ordinances. Corresponding to any violation is/are sanctions which reinforce the people and motivate them to obey such rules. It was also shown in their how the leader of the community (the mayor) guide the people during the clean-up drives in the river. Part also of governance is the decision- making activities of the Simpsons during the conflict in the story and the actions taken by the leaders during the said conflict.

Indeed the story touches important aspects and issues of our community. It serves as a mirror of the kind of society and lifestyle that we have right now---------- a little bit apathetic and lethargic of the real setting of our society.