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Firstly, the environment in which the powerpuff girls operate is of paramount importance to understanding the ramifications of the rest of the material to be presented, for without this important context, one cannot possibly understand the restrictions (or rather, lack thereof) placed upon the Powerpuff Girls. Most specifically, Townsville. Townsville is simply a post-modernist analogy for the current state of world affairs. You see here, the shows authors are speaking directly to the growing "smallness" of the world, and by extension, it's people. The Powerpuff girls themselves are a damning criticism of popular social norms. More specifically, the fact that they never pay attention to anything outside townsville, is tantamount to saying there is nowhere but townsville which, as we can plainly see, is a common perception in the minds of the people. That is to say, most people are happy to stay in their own bubble, and never need experience anything else to think they are happy. It is a case of perception defining reality.
Next we must speak of their creation. You see, here are some young people, created by (and this "creation" is an exageration of simple use, for obvious dramatic purposes) drugs. Specifically, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. For this MDMA is obviously the "chemical X" refered to in the show. This tells us that one can be "created", and by extension, re-created by drugs. Obviously a statement on karma and the reincarnation evidenced in many belief systems. Note also, the symobolism in the technology used to create the powerpuff girls. It is indeed, (as shown in the intro of every show) a large pot (note also the pun), into which are mixed all the ingredients needed. This tells us that the technology itself is not so important as the outcome, in short, an example of the ends justifying the means. Does this mean that the powerpuff girls would be in favor of, say, human cloning? I realize this is a hot button issue, but the fact remains that they indeed, quite possibly would be. For a group of youngsters, decidedly liberated ones at that, who were created through entirely artificial means, to be against such a practice, would be hypocritical in it's entirety, so long as the cloned people served to bring joy to the world. I am sure there are many other such issues on we can derive their stance.
This creation (re-creation), then, coupled with an obvious virgin birth (note the reference to a virgin birth, for it shall become important soon) to a single father (a man of science, it is worth noting) with no mother in sight, is an obvious criticism of the christian Jesus birth myth. In short, a rejection of many of the more organised religions of the day. Freed from that stifling casting of social position, and empowered to their creation (re-creation) by "happy" drugs, they are free to excercise their superpowers. (For example, flight, an obvious reference to freedom.) These superpowers, set the powerpuff girls above (note, "super", indicating higher) ordinary citizens. How were these powers obtained? Through the use of MDMA, as noted earlier. This tells us that the powerpuff girls condone the use of drugs to reach higher states of conciousness. This blatant linking of superpowers to drug use, as well as rejection of many of America's most popular religions and social norms, is a poingant and telling descriptor of the mental state many young (and nay, even older) viewers are being drawn to consider and experience. I would also like to bring to your attention at this point in time, the work done in this subject by one MisterQueue, a highly valued colleague of mine. He writes: But what about the social structure of feminism so clearly lined out in these three girls, or, for a better term archetypes. Let us consider the viewpoints of the female of these two-dimensional creations that really only give us one-dimension each.
First we have Blossom, the smart one. She gives us the first impression of what I will call the "triad of stereotypical female personality traits." She is the intellectual of the group, and in so being, has to consitantly prove herself in a male dominated (ie Professor Utonium and the Mayor) spectrum of existence. It is not surprising that she has red hair, as intelligence is not seen as a stereotypically feminine trait and redheads are often seen as outcasts, hence causing her more internal pain than we can imagine. Redheads used to be burned as witches and warlocks on sight, and so she, to the male dominant Townsville, appears magical for her brains, they, in their puny male image, cannot see the possibility of an XX-chromosome (and is it any wonder they were transformed via Chemical "X"?) with such a cerebellum as Blossom has. She truly bears the pain of all women.
Next we have poor Bubbles, always the perpetuator of the myth. Her name even signifies her "bubbly" personality. She is, by no coincidence, a blonde girl with little to no common sense or knowledge. Always laughed at as the oft-referred "bimbo", Bubbles is somewhat at fault for Blossom's own dilemma. Were it not for perpetuators of the myth like Bubbles, Blossom would only have one mark against her. Add to that, the fact that her blonde hair makes her seem even more an icon for ridicule and you almost feel sorry for such a creature. Bubbles is simple, and really not much can be said for her, but she truly is an instigator in a way to the male mind's of Townville.
Finally, we come to Buttercup. Buttercup is in a way what Blossom may be some day if she does not retreat into vapidity like Bubbles. Buttercup rounds out the stereotype of femininity by being the so-called "bitch" of this trio. Her actions are that of the jaded and cynical woman who finds no hope in trying to change her role in the world and merely snaps at it like a viper regardless of her situation. She has no respect for Bubbles and her vapidity, and cares little for Blossom's intellectual approach. She is the ultimate in action, saying as she pleases because in her mind, it has already gotten as bad as it must. Hair as black as her heart has become, Buttercup's wounds have grown too deep to heal, and the nerve's have been severed from all feeling. She is what we fear the female to become if we continue on our path.
I could go on about the significance of the triad in females in myths (ie The Eumenedies, The Erines, The Triads, Charlie's Angels, Roseanne, etc. etc. etc.), but I think you see my point here. Indeed Queue, I believe we can all see your point. The triumvirate evidenced in the Powerpuff Girls bears special consideration, and the important issue of gender roles is brought up. I feel there is little I can add to your magnificent exploration of this issue. I would now like to open the floor up to discussion of the important points addressed here today, that we may better understand the sociological ramifications of the Powerpuff Girls. Thanks to MisterQueue for his important examination of gender roles.
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