Semantic Analysis of Heroism in the series “the Simpsons Animation”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31185/lark.4719Keywords:
Semantic, Semantic Analysis, The Simpsons, Barthes’ theory (1977), Kress and van Leeuwen’s grammar of visual design (2006)Abstract
Abstract
This study explores the representation of heroism in *The Simpsons* through a visual semantic and semiotic lens. Utilizing Barthes’ theory of myth and connotation (1977) alongside Kress and van Leeuwen’s grammar of visual design (2006), the analysis investigates how heroism is constructed and critiqued through visual elements such as composition, gaze, color, and symbolic imagery. Selected scenes from key episodes illustrate how characters like Bart, Lisa, and Homer embody both heroic and anti-heroic traits, challenging traditional portrayals of heroism. The show employs satire, irony, and parody to deconstruct cultural myths, positioning flawed individuals as accidental heroes. By examining visual and narrative strategies, this study reveals how *The Simpsons* redefines heroism as a fluid, socially constructed phenomenon shaped by ideology, media influence, and audience perception, offering a critical commentary on contemporary cultural values and representations of heroism in animated television.
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