Bart Simpson and Little Women

(part of my ongoing Unexpected Literary References series)

Though the wonderful Pablo D’Stair recently called me out on the possible inaccuracy of calling this series “unexpected” literary references, I’m too far in to change the name (re: too lazy to change the name). And this latest find, from last week’s episode of The Simpsons, does not help defend any point I may have had about the unexpectedness of lit references in cartoons. Perhaps the series should be called “Great Unexpected Literary References For Those Who Don’t Watch Much TV But Also Don’t Read Much So Therefore Probably Only Bake Cookies And Make Crafts With Hot Glue Guns.”

In this episode (S23E7 – “The Man in the Blue Flannel Pants”) Bart learns that he actually enjoys reading, and in doing so must hide his new love from Nelson and the rest of the bullies.

Why is this reference blog worthy? First, I’m not very discriminating. Second, it’s refreshing to see the act of reading so directly supported in a TV medium. Many references appear as clever asides or Easter Eggs for the astute watcher, but here we see reading actually addressed directly as a worthy form of entertainment.