Exactly why do cartoons always fall into the category of ¨kids’ stuff¨? What could be the reasoning behind this stigma of being cheaply made and poorly written so that only a child could enjoy them? It is outrageous, really, because animation does not necessarily have to be treated that way. In fact, as of the last few decades, there has been a sort of renaissance with animation wherein cartoons are given higher budgets and better stories that could parallel even the best live-action media. Cartoons are being treated not just as entertainment for kids, but as entertainment for anyone and everyone. That is, they are being written and produced so that kids can have fun watching, and adults can appreciate all their clever aspects and themes: shows
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Mia Daniele of Entertainment Monthly puts it best, saying that “It is the perfect blend of a child’s tale and an adult’s existential crisis” (Daniele 2). The journey of the protagonists—two half-brothers in search of a way home—illustrates the very grown-up struggle of staying optimistic in the most grim of circumstances, while still retaining the child-like wonder that such optimism can create. The show also suggests that, in those dire situations, one’s family is often the best outlet for support. Throughout the series, the older of the two brothers, Wirt, is in a constant battle against both the troubles he and his group faces as well as his own inner demons, once stating that “Sometimes [he] feels like [he’s] just like a boat upon a winding river...twisting towards an endless black sea” (McHale 1). Yet through all this, the younger brother, Greg, was the wind in Wirt’s sails; it was always he who kept the group from losing hope, often just by being his goofy, childish self. Though Wirt does not fully appreciate his little brother for the longest time, he realizes by the end that, without Greg’s support, he would never have gotten home. The siblings’ plight is, in essence, what illustrates the the theme so well; Though one may take their family for granted, it is they who ultimately keep one …show more content…
Over the Garden Wall, for one, does contain a strong message about the importance sibling relationships, as evidenced when the protagonist, Wirt, develops from saying sullen things like “Can [he and his brother] please stop pretending [they’re] gonna get home?” to boldly stating “[His] brother and [him] are going home” (McHale 8, 10). It is this progression of Wirt as a character and as a person that really drives home this theme that though one may not fully appreciate them, it is one’s family who is always there for him. Yet perhaps the story falls short since it only follows the journey of two siblings, rather than a full family; the theme is a tad too specific to be considered an idea on family as a whole. On the contrary, Song of the Sea presents similarly strong points about familial relationships, including that of all immediate and even extended family members. It tackles the subject of the healing wounds of a broken family, supported by lines such as “I shouldn 't have been so mean to you. It 's not your fault, it never was” (Moore) uttered between long-at-odds siblings. It not only reminds viewers that families like this exist, but it dares to say that there is hope for them. But Song of the Sea’s themes, though pleasantly optimistic as they are, fail to take into
Mia Daniele of Entertainment Monthly puts it best, saying that “It is the perfect blend of a child’s tale and an adult’s existential crisis” (Daniele 2). The journey of the protagonists—two half-brothers in search of a way home—illustrates the very grown-up struggle of staying optimistic in the most grim of circumstances, while still retaining the child-like wonder that such optimism can create. The show also suggests that, in those dire situations, one’s family is often the best outlet for support. Throughout the series, the older of the two brothers, Wirt, is in a constant battle against both the troubles he and his group faces as well as his own inner demons, once stating that “Sometimes [he] feels like [he’s] just like a boat upon a winding river...twisting towards an endless black sea” (McHale 1). Yet through all this, the younger brother, Greg, was the wind in Wirt’s sails; it was always he who kept the group from losing hope, often just by being his goofy, childish self. Though Wirt does not fully appreciate his little brother for the longest time, he realizes by the end that, without Greg’s support, he would never have gotten home. The siblings’ plight is, in essence, what illustrates the the theme so well; Though one may take their family for granted, it is they who ultimately keep one …show more content…
Over the Garden Wall, for one, does contain a strong message about the importance sibling relationships, as evidenced when the protagonist, Wirt, develops from saying sullen things like “Can [he and his brother] please stop pretending [they’re] gonna get home?” to boldly stating “[His] brother and [him] are going home” (McHale 8, 10). It is this progression of Wirt as a character and as a person that really drives home this theme that though one may not fully appreciate them, it is one’s family who is always there for him. Yet perhaps the story falls short since it only follows the journey of two siblings, rather than a full family; the theme is a tad too specific to be considered an idea on family as a whole. On the contrary, Song of the Sea presents similarly strong points about familial relationships, including that of all immediate and even extended family members. It tackles the subject of the healing wounds of a broken family, supported by lines such as “I shouldn 't have been so mean to you. It 's not your fault, it never was” (Moore) uttered between long-at-odds siblings. It not only reminds viewers that families like this exist, but it dares to say that there is hope for them. But Song of the Sea’s themes, though pleasantly optimistic as they are, fail to take into