Э.А. Акопова
(Россия, Санкт-Петербург)
РГПУ им. А.И. Герцена
бакалавр 2 года обучения
AMERICAN CULTURE IN CARTOONS
Cartoons are quite popular with kids all around the world. While growing
up, many people enjoyed watching the make-belief characters. It’s a well-known
fact, that America is a leader in the production of cartoons in the world. Most of
these cartoons are familiar to us, also they are legendary and they have been
watched by more than one generation of children. This article presents the most
popular American cartoons.
The world leader in producing animation, a studio known far beyond the
borders of the USA isThe Walt Disney Studio. The Walt Disney's signature
cartoon is Mickey Mouse – first released in 1928 and it’s still a major hit.
Mickey Mouse is the only cartoon star to be featured on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame. (Mickey is easily recognized by his red shorts with white (sometimes
yellow or golden) buttons on it, white gloves and large yellow shoes as well as
his round mouse ears. He often gets himself into trouble that varies in
seriousness as a result of his mischief and the fact that he can be forgetful, but
extremely imaginative. Even so, he can often think quickly enough to get
himself out of a predicament before things get too out of hand, mostly because
of his incredible imagination).
Among other Walt Disney productions are such well-known TV cartoon
series as Winnie-the-Pooh, also called Pooh Bear, who is a fictional
anthropomorphic bear created by A. A. Milne. It shows us adventures of
Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends. Duck Tales – a series about adventures of
Scrooge McDuck and his grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie; Gummy
Bears – a cartoon about fictional group of anthropomorphic bears; Chip’n’Dale
1
adventures tell us about a pair of chipmunks and their friends, who solve crimes
and mysteries; Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon about an anthropomorphic
white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet.
Another studio that is responsible for some of the most popular cartoons
ever – Hanna-Barbera is a collaboration of two talented artists that became a
part of Metro-Goldwin-Mayer Corporation.
Tom and Jerry is the famous cat and mouse chase. This series is one of
the most watched on TV and has definitely influenced numerous other cartoons.
Other TV shows produced by this studio include The Flintstones – a
family cartoon that depicts a married man’s life during the Stone Age period,
and Scooby Doo – who hasn't seen the adventures of Scooby Doo and his best
friend Shaggy! The group of young detectives solving mysteries and fate
favoring the scared cute, Scooby Doo.
One more studio is Warner Bros. Looney Tunes is one of the biggest
cartoon series by Warner Bros. The Road Runner Show is another chase: this
time it is Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner – supposedly an ostrich. A
series of very funny and awkward situations these two find themselves in makes
the cartoon really funny and loved even by ourdays children, even though it was
produced quite a long time ago. Bugs Bunny is an American cultural icon: an
anthropomorphic gray hare or rabbit, is also a character of his own series of
Looney Tunes cartoons
Nickelodeon is a TV channel for kids that produces the mostly watched
cartoon these days – Sponge Bob SquarePants. It is about the adventures of a
little character, Sponge Bob, and his friends in the underwater city. It is also
ranked as one of the greatest cartoon shows in 2013 and is really admired by
children.
The Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park are other extremely popular
TV cartoon series. However it is hard to call them children's cartoons. There is a
2
lot of irony, references to political and social events there, also characters based
on real people appear there from time to time.
The Simpsons was actually the first cartoon series on TV with adult
content. The main character, Homer Simpson, constantly gets caught up in
uncomfortable circumstances. Modern life is exhibited and even the explicit
aspects are showcased.
Family Guy – the little Dr. Evil – baby Stewie Griffin plans to take over
the world after his diaper has been changed.
South Park – Eric Cartman, the main character, is a loudmouth and
rebellious child. South Park is targeted at a mature audience. The series probably
tells an unspoken side of the society; what people usually think but don’t say.
So as we see, American cartoons are very popular. The Americans shoot a
lot, doing different things, even to enumerate all the animation studios is quite a
challenge.
Literature:
1. Wikipedia [Электронный ресурс]. URL: www.wikipedia.com (дата
обращения: 09.06.2014).
2. Disney
[Электронный
ресурс].
URL:
www.disney.com
(дата
обращения: 09.06.2014)
3. Kids WB [Электронный ресурс]. URL: www.kidswb.com (дата
обращения: 09.06.2014)
4. Marvel comics [Электронный ресурс]. URL: www.marvel.com (дата
обращения: 09.06.2014).
5. Nick [Электронный ресурс]. URL: www.nick.com (дата обращения:
09.06.2014).
3