The Simpsons: Scenes From the Class Struggle in Springfield Review

While at face value, the television show, The Simpsons, appears to be nothing more than an animated comedy, embedded within the script are various Marxists ideas and theories that provide commentary on the inner workings of society today. Specifically, the episode titled “Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield,” deals with guidelines and expectations that are ingrained into the lives of the American population. The first ideology grows on the idea of the American Dream, the notion that a person, no matter their race, gender, or socioeconomic background can succeed in life, if they put in the required effort.Time and time again, we hear stories and tales about those belonging to the lower class, pulling themselves up by their bootstraps and benefiting from their hard work with wealth, status, and power. Yet, in reality, this “dream” maintains its delusional structure because it fails to recognize the obstacles associated with obtaining success such as social inequality, class struggle, and profit-motive. Within the episode of The Simpsons, this idea of the American Dream is presented through Marge Simpson and her desire to gain membership into the elite Springfield Country Club. In the beginning of the scene, Marge buys a marked down price of a Chanel suit and is invited to the Country Club by a friend based on her outward appearance. Consumed with the aspiration to fit in and become part of the exclusive club, or upper class, Marge begins to alter the fundamental way she and her family behave in order to gain access into the glitz and glam of the wealthy. Here we have exemplified a member of the lower class, or token, following the roadmap of the American Dream, in order to break through the ceiling of the elite upper class.

While in this episode Marge demonstrates the American Dream, she simultaneously attaches herself to the idea of conspicuous consumption. This is the belief that through the purchase of material goods and services, one can secure membership into the upper class. It is the notion that if one buys this particular house, car, or item of clothing, they will finally be accepted and perceived as wealthy by the public, even if they do not psychically possess the necessary funds to be authentically affluent. Marge Simpson falls head over heels for this ideology when she invests in a Chanel suit. Due to the high value assumption of what the suit costs, and the reputation of value the company Chanel possess, when Marge’s friend sees her in the outfit, she automatically assumes that Marge is part of the upper class and thus invites her to join the aristocratic Springfield Country Club. Because of the pressure to look like Marge belongs to the wealthy, Marge alters her suit into various other outfits to show that she has the income to afford the expensive wardrobe. She even goes as far as purchasing a $3,300 dress in order to feel like a member of the upper elite.