“Homer Simpsons and his Attitude to Alcohol in The Simpsons: Duffless (1993) and Homer vs the Eighteenth Amendment (1997)”

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3. Analysis of the chapters

In the chapter of Duffless, we notice that Homer Simpson has an obsession with beer as since the first of the morning, he is thinking about Duff beer factory and he forgets his duties (he decides not to go to work). His posture is too liberal although he knows the severe consequences of alcoholism. Notwithstanding his liberal position clashes with Marge´s moderate attitude to alcohol. She is more conservative as she defends that the duties come first and then the pastimes.
In the factory, one employer informs the visitors that some beer has been adulterated. In these cases, when there is news about a contaminated product, severe measures are taken. Nevertheless Homer does not know about this new nor shows interest about this warning, he is very passive.
After the visit, Homer is driving some kilometres after having drunk beer. The police stop the couple and do the alcohol test to Homer with a breathalyser, the results are positive and Homer is sent to jail. The conservative attitude of the police defeats Homer´s violation of the law of driving after having drunk.
Although he has been in jail and has lost his license, his liberal posture of alcohol has not changed. The conservative side (the police) try to make him see the risks of alcohol while driving. Homer is not conscious about this situation yet. For example, when he is in the driving school, he laughs at a documentary in which car accidents are depicted (“It´s funny cause I don´t know them”- "The Simpsons" Duffless 1993).
Besides, Homer is obliged to go to Alcoholics Anonyms. This organisation is considered non-lucrative and apolitical which try to help people who have alcohol-related problems. Nonetheless, Homer sees that these people try...

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...http://www.salon.com/2013/09/28/downtown_revitalization_secret_let_us_drink_in_public/
- Groening, Matt, Ray Richmond, and Antonia Coffman. 1997. The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to our Favorite Family. 1st ed. London: HarperCollins.
- Hunt, T. 2000. Clinton Signs .08 Drunk Driving Standard. ABC News. Last modified October 23 2000. http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=95275
- Rorabaugh, W.J. 1991. Alcohol in America. OAH Magazine of History 6:17-19. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25162814
- Strasburger, Victor C. et al. 2010. Children, Adolescents, and the Media. Pediatrics, 59:533-587 doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2012.03.025
- “The Simpsons” Duffless. 1993. Directed by David M. Stern. Los Angeles, California: 20th Century Fox Televison. Video.
- "The Simpsons" Homer Vs. The 18Th Amendment. 1997. Directed by Jim Reardon. Los Angeles, California: 20th Century Fox Television. Video.

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