Topic > South Park Analysis - 1019

"Oh my God, they killed Kenny!" South Park is an adult cartoon that revolves around the abnormal lives of four kids living in Colorado. This hilarious animated television series strives to be the most controversial show on the air. The series has been airing since August 13, 1997, and although the show seems ridiculous, it is commonly known for incorporating high and low culture within the show. South Park is known for taking current issues from today's society and converting them into a more simplified version by turning it into a satire. One episode that stood out from the others was an episode called “The Cissy” that focused on gender relations and transgender issues. This episode reflects on how today's society views gender and transgender. In his mind, he says he's tired of being made fun of and wonders if people have noticed what's in his pockets. The way the show started made the viewer think that maybe he had a gun in his pocket and was planning to shoot up the school. While Cartman goes to the bathroom during recess, all the stalls are full, which makes him angry. Then he takes a pink bow out of his pocket and puts it on his head. Cartman breaks into the girls' bathroom and uses the bathroom. when questioned by the other girls about what he was doing, he proclaimed that he was “Transginger”. To indicate that Cartman or should I say "Erica" ​​identified as a woman, she used a pink bow which society has usually associated as a feminine color, so from that point in the episode Cartman uses female stereotypes to identify as a girl. After this stunt, Cartman is sent to the main office where he explains that since he is transgender, he cannot force him to share the bathroom with a cisgender woman. The principal argues that because you are a girl, you must be attracted to boys. to which Cartman countered by claiming that he can be transgender without having to do with the gender he is attracted to. Cartman has already broken gender stereotypes and social norms during his little debate by stating that she can be a girl without having to be attracted to men. Cartman makes her find a fishing net in her husband Randy Marsh's pants. When asked why he replied "I just like the way they feel." However, the real reason is because of her secret character, Lorde, which she has kept a secret from her family for some time. Lorde is a female celebrity singer idolized by millions of people. Randy's character definitely breaks gender stereotypes because when he plays Lorde he feels and acts like a woman by wearing skirts and heels. She also sings and dances, which is stereotypically associated with something women do. Cartman and Randy are at different levels of breaking social normalities. While Cartman identifies as a woman he behaves in a masculine manner, on the other hand Randy identifies as a woman but loses all his masculinity as soon as he becomes one.