Rocky and Bullwinkle Affect on Pop Culture in America during the Cold War - Term Paper Example

? Rocky and Bullwinkle affect on Pop culture in America during the Cold War The Cold War (from 1946 to 1991), a war between United s and Soviet Union, was primarily based upon political ideologies. This military tension was extended to economic competition, Space Race and arms races. When the Cold War is superimposed into the context of Pop Culture in America, it is evident that the Cold War deeply influenced the Pop Culture in America. Within this context, Rocky and Bullwinkle, two characters in animated cartoon series (Rocky and Bullwinkle Show) deeply influenced the Pop culture in America because these cartoon characters presented the American opinion on Communist ideology and Cold War, in an allegorical manner. Thesis statement: Rocky and Bullwinkle revealed the American attitude on Cold War, acted the role of a rhetorical construction against rhetorical war and political allegory on Cold War sentiment, and influenced Pop culture in America during the Cold War. I. American Popular Culture during the Cold War The multicultural characteristic of the American society is reflected in its popular culture. To be specific, American culture shows acceptance towards all cultures without any partiality. This acceptance deeply influences the amalgamation of different cultural characteristics. Besides, this led to the growth and development of popular culture in America, which reflected the Cold War apprehensions. Within this context, co-operation between USA and Soviet Union, during World War II, did not last much because it eventually led towards mutual suspicion. On the other side, the popular culture in America made use of this continuous tension as its subject matter. From a different angle of view, the Cold War era reflected the American influence upon the cultural scenario of the world nations in general. At the same time, the whole world was under the threat of arms race. In short, the American popular culture during the Cold War reflected the fear of communist influence and arms race. II. Influence of Rocky and Bullwinkle on Pop culture in America during the Cold War Within the scenario of Pop Culture during the Cold War, Rocky and Bullwinkle reflected and molded public opinion on communist influence and arms race. One can identify that Rocky and Bullwinkle are the animated characters in an American Television series, namely The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. Both the characters primarily represent the entertainment value of animated characters. For a different angle of view, both the characters represent some inner meaning, related to the disclosure of American attitude towards communism and arms race. Besides, both the characters represent the rhetorical construction and allegory against rhetorical war (say, the Cold War). In short, Rocky and Bullwinkle is symbolic of the political allegory which molded and represented public opinion in America during the Cold War. A. The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show Rocky and Bullwinkle, animated characters are from two different cartoon series, namely Rocky and His Friends (broadcasted at the end of the 1950s) and The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show (broadcasted at the beginning of 1960s). Both the cartoon series became popular during 1960s because the plot and the theme suited the taste of children and elders. For instance, the content of the cartoon, especially the inculcation of animals like squirrel and Canadian Moose as main characters attracted children. On the other side, the theme and plot with political puns attracted the elders in general. The masterminds behind this cartoon series were Jay Ward and Alex Anderson. They made use of Rocky (Squirrel) and Bullwinkle (Canadian Moose) to entertain children and elders. Besides, the animation work was outsourced to an animation company in Mexico, namely Val-Mar Animation. The first broadcast (twice a week) of the animation series was in the year 1959. Browne makes clear that “Responding to the groundswell of adult interest and affection for Rocky and Bullwinkle, PBS aired an hour-long special, Of Moose and Man: The Rocky and Bullwinkle Story, in March of 1991” (122). The rebroadcasting of this cartoon series in 1973, 1981, 1990s and 2000s proves the popularity acquired by these animated characters. Now, this cartoon series is rebroadcasted by Boomerang Channel. As pointed out, the main characters are Rocky and Bullwinkle, from a fictitious town, namely Frostbite Falls, Minnesota. The villains (Boris Godunov and Natasha Fatale) are the agents from Pottsylvania, which is a fictitious nation under the ultimate control of Mr. Big and Fearless Leader. In short, Rocky and Bullwinkle captured the minds of children and elders in America. B. Rocky and Bullwinkle within Pop culture The American society, with its multicultural characteristics is able to accept any other culture to its core. For instance, the pop culture is an amalgamation of a number of world cultures and the mainstream American culture. Within this context, the American society provides enough space for all to express their cultural characteristics and accept the same as the part of American society. One can easily identify that the American society was ready to accept Rocky and Bullwinkle show beyond an animated cartoon series because it put forth some important values related to Pop culture in 1960s. The characteristics of Rocky and Bullwinkle, which was applicable to children and elders created much space for the acceptance within the American society. For instance, heroism is acceptable in the American society. Dunne opines that “At the simplest level, Ward’s show referenced, alluded to, and punned upon a wide variety of high and low cultural phenomena” (153). Within this context, the clash between good and evil and the ultimate victory of good over evil was accepted by the mass. For instance, Rocky and Bullwinkle were never ready to be defeated by the agents. On the other side, the Cold War sentiment can be connected to the attitude put forth by Rocky and Bullwinkle. In short, Rocky and Bullwinkle put forth the American attitude on Cold War and became popular within the context of visual media. C. Entertainment value The entertainment value of Rocky and Bullwinkle series can be divided into two: pure entertainment for children and hidden political satire/ pun for the elders. The children enjoyed the Rocky and Bullwinkle series because it was according to their taste and with moral lessons (victory of good over evil). Lenburg opines that “When it came to developing ideas for stories or cartoons, Ward’s main objective was to bring joy and laughter into viewer’s homes” (349). The popularity acquired by this cartoon series among the children proves the same. Besides, the creators of Rocky and Bullwinkle made use of animals as the main characters or the heroes. This transformation of animals into animated characters deeply influenced the children. For instance, the elders during 1980 accepted the rebroadcasting of Rocky and Bullwinkle series because it was a nostalgic feeling to view the same with their children. On the other side, the elders accepted the Rocky and Bullwinkle series because they enjoyed the hidden political satire/ pun. Brown makes clear that “At the end of most episodes, the show’s narrator, William Conrad, announced two possible titles for the next episode- the second title always a pun that was related to the first” (57). The creators were able to reflect the feelings of elders towards the Cold War. Besides, the Rocky and Bullwinkle series acted the role of a safety valve to express their feelings upon the negative effects of war and arms races. In short, the Rocky and Bullwinkle series reflected the main components of popular culture in America and attracted the mass in general. D. Revelation of attitudes The formula of Rocky and Bullwinkle is so simple, i.e. the ultimate victory of good over evil. For instance, Rocky and Bullwinkle happen to have unexpected wealth or something valuable. But the villains try their level best to steal the wealth from Rocky and Bullwinkle. Eventually, they try to implement their crooked plans. These plans will not help them to be victorious in the end because they represent the evil side. So, the ultimate victory by Rocky and Bullwinkle leads them to further adventures in the following episodes. This cat and rat game is the most interesting part of Rocky and Bullwinkle series. But one must not misunderstand that Rocky and Bullwinkle are stupid enough to be the victims of the villains but these characters reveal the American attitude towards the Cold War. From a different angle of view, the success of Rocky and Bullwinkle was an eye opener to the Americans to be cautious about the negative effects of Communism. For instance, the agents (Boris Godunov and Natasha Fatale) and the leaders (Mr. Big and Fearless Leader) are symbolic of Communist dictatorship. Within this context, the tension between USA and Soviet Union during the Cold War era was made use by the creators of Rocky and Bullwinkle. One can easily identify that the agents represent the unending attempt of communists to infiltrate into the American society and to spread communism. Besides, the Communists were aware of the deep influence of American way of life upon the world nations. In short, the Rocky and Bullwinkle series revealed the American attitude towards communism and the Cold War. E. Rhetorical construction against rhetorical war In Rocky and Bullwinkle series, animals represented the main characters. This is symbolic of rhetorical construction. On the other side, the Cold War was a rhetorical type of war because America and Soviet Union never tried to attack each other. So, one can see that the Cold War is symbolic of the attempt to be the world power. The Cuban Missile Crisis during the Cold War represented the negative side of the Cold War. But both the nations never tried to attack each other. At the same time, both nations tried to create separate blocs based upon their political ideologies. The Cold War did not harm America because it paved the way towards development in the fields like science and technology. On the other side, Soviet Union tried to influence the world nations and to spread communist ideology. So, the Cold War was not beyond a symbol of unending attempt to gain popularity and to spread different political ideologies. Within this context, the rhetorical construction of Rocky and Bullwinkle series is symbolic of the uselessness of arms races. In short, the Rocky and Bullwinkle series can be considered as a Rhetorical construction against rhetorical war (say, the Cold War). F. Allegorical dimension One can easily identify that visual media reflects change in the society. From a different angle of view, visual media represent the taste of the people. When the viewers are in need of suspense, visual media provides the same. During Cold War, the American viewers were in need of heroes who are capable to withstand problems related to war. So, the creators of Rocky and Bullwinkle made use the same as their mouthpiece to communicate with the viewers. Within this context, the allegorical dimension of Rocky and Bullwinkle series is important. To be specific, visual media is one of the best possible ways to communicate with viewers in an effective manner. But cartoon series have some limitations because the same is generally considered as less important. When the creators of Rocky and Bullwinkle decided to introduce the Cold War sentiment in visual media, the same became acceptable to all. Hendershot states that “This animated series, pitting a squirrel and a moose against foreign agents Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale, parodies Cold War espionage openly” (84). Besides, the allegorical dimension of Rocky and Bullwinkle, beyond a cartoon series for entertainment, helped the creators to introduce important subjects with more ease. G. Political allegory in Rocky and Bullwinkle As pointed out earlier, Nazi Germany and Soviet Union (under communism) are the main targets or sources of political allegory in Rocky and Bullwinkle series. For instance, the Fearless Leader in Rocky and Bullwinkle series is symbolic of Adolf Hitler. Booker opines that “Fearless Leader is a particularly interesting villain” (28). The Fearless Leader’s mannerisms and dress code are symbolic of Hitler and Nazi Germany. At the same time, Fearless Leader’s attitude towards and capitalism is symbolic of Joseph Stalin. So, one can identify that the Fearless Leader symbolizes Hitler and Stalin. On the other side, the political significance of the agents is that they are totally under the control of their leader. This exposes the political set up in Soviet Union during the Cold War. Besides, this exposes the Soviet system of ultimate control of state over the people. The creators of Rocky and Bullwinkle series gave Russian names to the agents (Boris Godunov and Natasha Fatale). This reveals that the agents are not from an imaginary nation, but from Soviet Union. Besides, the materialistic attitude of the agents exposes their hypocrisy because Soviet Union was totally against materialism and capitalism. Caputi opines that “In contrast to Rocky and Bullwinkle, then, Boris and Natasha could be ruthless in their use of technology for evil interest” (16). The agents try to destroy capitalism but they were ready to enjoy the benefits of capitalism. This hypocrisy is one of the main elements of political allegory in Rocky and Bullwinkle series. In short, the outer layer of the Rocky and Bullwinkle series consists of entertainment value and its inner layers reveal the political allegory inculcated by the creators. Summing, Rocky and Bullwinkle deeply influenced the Pop culture in America and revealed the American attitude on Cold War. At the same time, the Pop culture during the Cold War mirrored the American attitude towards communism and dictatorship. Within this context, Rocky and Bullwinkle series (as a medium to express views on Cold War) became popular among the mass. The value of Rocky and Bullwinkle series is not limited to the sphere of mere entertainment because it reflects the main components of Pop culture. Besides, the creators of Rocky and Bullwinkle made use the same as an innovative medium to communicate with the viewers, especially the elders. The rhetorical dimension of Rocky and Bullwinkle series unearths the uselessness of arms races and hypocrisy. In addition, political allegory in Rocky and Bullwinkle series reveal the drawbacks of communism and Nazism. In short, the influence of Rocky and Bullwinkle on Pop culture in America during the Cold War is beyond its entertainment value. References Brown, Arthur. Everything I Need to Know, I Learned from Cartoons. USA: Arthur Brown, 2008. Print. Browne, Pat. The guide to United States popular culture. Madison: USA: Popular Press, 2001.Print. Booker, M. Keith. Drawn to television: prime-time animation from the Flintstones to Family guy. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006. Print. Caputi, Mary. A kinder, gentler America: melancholia and the mythical 1950s. Minneapolis, MN: U of Minnesota Press, 2005. Print. Dunne, Michael. Intertextual encounters in American fiction, film, and popular culture. USA: Popular Press, 2001. Print. Hendershot, Cynthia. Anti-communism and popular culture in mid-century America. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2003. Print. Lenburg, Jeff. Who's who in animated cartoons: an international guide to film & television's award-winning and legendary animators. New York, NY: Hal Leonard Corporation, 2006. Print. Read More