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Homer Simpson - Success and InfluenceHomer Simpson - Success and Influence

 

Homer Simpson (1989- )

 

The hero (pictured right) of the American TV cartoon, The Simpsons, created by Matt Groening (pictured right below in 2010 courtesy of Gage Skidmore).

 

Who are in his family?

Marge, his wife. 

Bart, Lisa and Maggie (their three children)

 Homer Simpson - Success and Influence

Where do they live?  

The fictional American town of Springfield.

 

Why is Homer a hero?

 

1. Faults

His faults make him more human even though they’re big ones.

He is:Homer Simpson - Success and Influence

  • lazy (totally apathetic towards his job as a safety inspector at a nuclear power plant).
  • incompetent, stupid and overweight.
  • a near alcoholic (his favourite place is Moe’s Bar).
  • often violently angry (particularly with his rebellious son, Bart, pictured right).

TV viewers can reflect on these problems and work out how to avoid them.

 

2. Ordinary guy makes good

Homer isn’t rich or famous but just an ordinary guy with problems like us all.

Despite his weaknesses, he’s lovable because he is:

  • not malicious or envious
  • prepared to learn.

His disasters occur when he thinks he’s cleverer than everybody else (as when he fell asleep with a cigar in his mouth and caused a fire).

 Homer Simpson - Success and Influence

3. Family

His selfish instincts don’t stop him:

  • loving his wife and children.
  • helping them when they need it.

His moral and patient wife, Marge (pictured right), is also devoted to the family, despite their disrespect for her.

She recovers from a nervous breakdown caused by stress and overwork.

Their family’s greatest achievement is that it stays together despite constant arguments and problems.

 

4. Doing things his way

Homer decides what’s right and then does it.

For example, he chooses not to go to church, even though he believes in God.

 Homer Simpson - Success and Influence

5. Pragmatic

Homer:

  • has lots of practical common sense
  • is more in touch with ordinary people than his intellectual daughter, Lisa  (pictured right).

Lisa's advice is often valuable but she can be:

  • arrogant and self-righteous
  • impractical and over-theoretical.

 

Key quote on decision making

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that’s even remotely true!

 

Key quotes on happiness

The answers to life’s problems aren’t at the bottom of a bottle. They’re on TV.

Stupid risks make life worth living.

 

Key quote on workers and unions

If you don’t like your job, you don’t strike. You go in every day and do it really half-assed. That’s the American way.

 

Key quote on careers

The three little sentences that will get you through life. Number 1: Cover for me. Number 2: Oh, good idea, boss! Number 3: It was like that when I got here.

 

Key quote on communication

The problem with the world today is communication. Too much communication.

 

Key quote on change

I guess some people never change. Or, they quickly change and then quickly change back.

 

Key quote on success

Trying is the first step towards failure.

If at first you don’t succeed, give up.

Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try

 

Key quote on relationships

Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I don’t understand.

 

Key quote on women and men

Marge, I’m going to miss you so much. And it’s not just the sex! It’s also the food preparation.

 

Key quote on America

Kill my boss? Do I dare to live out the American dream?

 

Key quote on ethics

It takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen

 

Key quote on peace of mind

Marge, there's an empty spot I've always had inside me. I tried to fill it with family, religion, community service..but those were dead ends! I think this chair is the answer.

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