A minor maternal figure appears in the episode, on the show within a show The Jolly Farm Revue. Mother Maggie represents an idealized mother, who not only is she fertile, each one of her children receives ample affection, care, and education.
The fact that a violation of a marriage grew the couple closer, called by Ettelbrick the “most venerable, impenetrable, institutions in modern society” illustrates how subversive Family Guy is towards traditional gender roles (317). To consider that an extra-marital act could actually make a marriage stronger violates a severe condition in the tradition of marriage. The woman is supposed to be ever faithful to the husband, who is traditionally (most notably in the Victiorian era) allowed to have mistresses and affairs.
Another cliché addressed in this episode is that of the mother/daughter relationship. Usually regarded as sacred and as how girls become women, this episode turns a relationship of growth into one of competition. In a highly disturbing scene, Lois and Meg discuss the issue of Anthony. Meg tears out one of her teeth, and she recounts the sexual exploits she has had with her boyfriend. The antipathy Meg feels for her mother is practically palpable, and the situation becomes stranger because it is not addressed for the rest of the episode. This inversion of the mother-daughter dynamic makes the show one “that [redefines] family in the twenty first century” (Seely 103).
Works Cited
The fact that a violation of a marriage grew the couple closer, called by Ettelbrick the “most venerable, impenetrable, institutions in modern society” illustrates how subversive Family Guy is towards traditional gender roles (317). To consider that an extra-marital act could actually make a marriage stronger violates a severe condition in the tradition of marriage. The woman is supposed to be ever faithful to the husband, who is traditionally (most notably in the Victiorian era) allowed to have mistresses and affairs.
Another cliché addressed in this episode is that of the mother/daughter relationship. Usually regarded as sacred and as how girls become women, this episode turns a relationship of growth into one of competition. In a highly disturbing scene, Lois and Meg discuss the issue of Anthony. Meg tears out one of her teeth, and she recounts the sexual exploits she has had with her boyfriend. The antipathy Meg feels for her mother is practically palpable, and the situation becomes stranger because it is not addressed for the rest of the episode. This inversion of the mother-daughter dynamic makes the show one “that [redefines] family in the twenty first century” (Seely 103).
Works Cited
Family Guy. FOX. Hulu.com. General Electric, News Corp, The Walt Disney Company. Web. 17 Mar. 2010. "Go Stewie Go" Season 8, Episode 13.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Since When Is Marriage a Path to Liberation?" Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.
Seely, Megan. Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. Print.
Yeah that with Meg and Lois was pretty hard to watch. It's strange how much physical and sexual violence has become a joke in the media. It was obviously supposed to be a joke but it was pretty disturbing to see teenage Meg rip out her own tooth and bleed from the mouth while she talks about a semi-violent sexual experience with her boyfriend...
ReplyDeleteThat was quite an odd scene. The rest of the show it was like it didn't even happen. I personally didn't find it that funny. It could have been a non-funny scene on purpose. So that the other funny scenes had more value when in line with one that brings reality back really strong. A sort of Juxtaposition Ploy to make the watcher realize how much they are enjoying their dose of comedy.
ReplyDeleteLois is usually pretty mean to Meg. It is more than just everyone in the town who questions Meg's every word, but it is her own mother too. Her mother seduces and dreams of her daughters boyfriend. She then acts on it and blames it all on Peters words. Even though Peter was at fault for calling Lois names and purposely bringing down her self esteem, Lois is solely responsible for her actions. The stereotypical tv "mom" is blown out of the water.
ReplyDelete