Midterm Question

The Simpsons: Last Exit to Springfield, touches on a variety of issues regarding the relation between workers and unions. Without a clear stance on the issue the episode works to point out the ridiculousness of it all by satirizing both sides. In doing so the episode both normalizes and challenges the prevailing ideology of capitalism.

The way in which the episode affirms and normalizes the prevailing ideology of capitalism is seen with the Orthodontists role in the episode. Marge takes Lisa and Maggie to get a check-up and finds out that Lisa needs braces. The Orthodontist proceeds to scare Lisa, condemning that she will look like a freak by the age of 18 if she does not get braces. He goes on to recommend a pair but the high end braces the Orthodontist recommends are far too expensive, rather than working with the family to find a more suitable option he simply gives them a dusty, clunky, hideous pair that still makes Lisa look like a freak. This affirms the ideology of capitalism in a way that is easy for consumers to fall into. This concept of wanting to look good, individuals will be more willing to pay for braces because they don't want to end up looking like they belong in "The Big Book of British Smiles."

As per any Simpsons episode there is another side to the topic being satirized. The way the episode interrogates and challenges the prevailing ideology of capitalism is a lot more cut and dry. This is seen through its characters and how they interact with the world around them. Mr. Burns' grandfather is a factory owner in an industrial America. He strolls on into his "Atom Smashing" factory with a adolescent Mr. Burns and calls out a worker for having six atoms in his pocket. He proceeds to send him away to be dealt with. This highlights the ridiculousness of how workers were viewed as a disposable commodity or simply a means to an end to benefit the elite.

Workers/Unions satire:

1.  Union Kingpin Homer
2.  1,000 monkeys at 1,000 typewriters writing greatest novel known to man
3.  Atom Smashing boy saying unions will fight for the woking man then go to far and become corrupt
4.  Willingness to give up dental plan for a keg of beer
5. Mob mentality 

Management/Owners:

1.  Management needs workers, they cant run the plant themselves
2.  "If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours"
3.  Seen as vultures
4.  Portrayed as Super Villains & Grinch
5.   Pompous, want their cake and to eat it too