A study of national stereotypes The Simpsons in Japan A study of national stereotypes

What do you think the word ‘stereotype’ means? Here are some national stereotypes What do you think the word ‘stereotype’ means?

What other country is stereotyped in the programme? ‘The Simpsons in Japan’ has many examples of national stereotypes ….. and not just of the Japanese! What other country is stereotyped in the programme? Let’s look at the stereotypes!

Why was this logo chosen? Here is the tail fin of the jumbo jet which takes the Simpsons to Japan. Why was this logo chosen? This is the family’s first view of Japan. Do you think this is an accurate picture of the landscape?

Do these images tell us everything about the landscape of Japan? Now what do you think? Do these images tell us everything about the landscape of Japan?

These are all images of Japan too!

This is the Simpsons’ hotel in Tokyo This is the Simpsons’ hotel in Tokyo. What Japanese custom is highlighted? What does this custom tell us about Japanese people?

What do we learn about Japan from the ‘toilet’ sequence?

Lisa looks out of the hotel window and sees two contrasting scenes… Describe the contrasts in these two views of Japan. Is this a realistic view of Japan?

What do these images tell us about Japan?

Lisa wants to eat in an ‘authentic Japanese noodle house’ Lisa wants to eat in an ‘authentic Japanese noodle house’. Can you think of stereotypical foods which are associated with other countries? What about these ones?

How are the USA and Americans portrayed? Marge says ’I’d like to see the Japanese taking on the club sandwich – it would be smaller and more efficient’. Is she referring to food? The family end up eating at an American restaurant! Why would there be an American restaurant in Tokyo? How are the USA and Americans portrayed? Is it a stereotype?

How do these street scenes in Tokyo compare with the the Simpsons’ experience of street life there? Buildings? Pedestrians? Traffic?

Homer buys a square watermelon from a street vendor……. What stereotype about Japan and Japanese people is this reinforcing?

Homer paid $150 for the square watermelon. Is this expensive ? 1000 yen is roughly equivalent to £5 or $10 Homer paid $150 for the square watermelon. Is this expensive ? How much did the pretzel at the Sumo wrestling match cost? What is the message about the cost of living in Japan?

Prison, Japanese-style, is very unusual Prison, Japanese-style, is very unusual. Even the prison guards address Homer as ‘Mr Simpson, Sir’ What stereotype does this reinforce? What aspects of traditional Japanese culture are shown in the prison cell sequence and in Homer’s description of the activities for prisoners?

The Simpsons end up working in a fish processing factory in order to pay for their flights home. They watch a company loyalty song.. What does this tell you about the relationship between Japanese workers and their employers? Could this be a stereotype?

What do you think? Is it accurate today?

In order to win air tickets back to the USA, the family take part in a Japanese TV game show The studio audience, like the spectators at the sumo wrestling match, all act ‘in unison’. What stereotype about Japan does this reinforce?

“American game shows reward knowledge, ours punish ignorance” What does the game show sequence suggest about Japanese game shows? Is it meant to imply anything about Japanese people? Is this ‘fair’?

“Game shows aren’t about cruelty, they’re about greed” “Game shows aren’t about cruelty, they’re about greed”. What stereotype of the American lifestyle is Homer referring to? “Goodbye, Japan. I’ll miss your Kentucky Fried Chicken and your sparkling whale-free seas!” says Lisa.

Standard Task What has The Simpsons taught you about the use of Stereotypes? Challenge Task How far are Stereotypes damaging? Why?