Smurf Communism
Ranked #8,617 in Entertainment, #106,309 overall
Innocent Cartoon or Socialist Propaganda?
Learn more about the Papa Smurf/Carl Marx similarities, and how Brainy Smurf is much like Leon Trotsky. Find out how Gargamel plays into it, and what's the deal with Smurfette...
Carl Marx - Papa Smurf
The Leaders
So, the Smurf Communism theories usually kick off with a Papa Smurf/Carl Marx comparison.The physical similarities are obvious...big bushy white beard. Papa Smurf dons the communist color red and is the leader of the Smurfs. He is the ultimate authority in the village. He makes the final say, and what he says goes.
In several episodes when Papa Smurf is not present, the Smurf Village's Utopian system destabilizes entirely.
The Basis of the Argument
The Concept of Smurf Communism
Every smurf looked alike - very little individuality. They were all blue and wore white pants and hats - which looked like uniforms issued to them. They all wore blue hats, except that is for their leader who wore red, a color commonly connected with communism. They acted as one unit, a united group. They even sang their song together wherever they went as if it were an anthem of unity.Each Smurf had their job and did not question it. Handy Smurf, Tailor Smurf, Farmer Smurf, Baker Smurf, Poet Smurf. They stuck to their job exclusively. There was actually an episode where each Smurf tried to the job of another Smurf and failed miserably - a possible lesson in do what you are assigned or you will fall.
The Smurfs live in an egalitarian utopia. The village was certainly not a capitalist society. Everything in the village was shared. As soon as the harvest was brought in, it was stored away and evenly distributed to all the Smurfs as they needed it - an example of collective farming. Farmer Smurf never sold his goods at the market as there is no system of monetary exchange or even barter in the Smurf village. There was no competition - each smurf had a job - one smurf per job. No choices.
In the Smurf comics, Finance Smurf introduced a short-lived system of monetary exchange, based upon the gold standard. He introduces the system after he is exposed to capitalism by trekking to a town in order to retrieve some medicine. He is portrayed as being logically short sighted; the system he introduces leads to corruption, poverty, malnutrition, and general discontent. In addition, the monetary system increased the danger to the village, as Gargamel wished and tried to seize the Smurfs' stockpile of coinage.
Your Opinion on Smurf Communism
Smurf Communism Websites
- The Smurfs and Communism - Wikipedia
- The Smurfs and communism From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- Smurf's Communist Leanings
- The Smurf Conspiracy -- are the smurfs communists?
- Moonage Political Webdream: Smashing Smurf Communism?
- The political world of Moonage. Educate yourself.
- Communist Smurfs
- Communist Smurfs, Smurf Bios
- Socio-political Smurfs
- Socio-Political Themes in The Smurfsby J Marc Schmidt, author of Egg Story.
Gargamel - Capitalism
Gargamel is the enemy of the Smurfs. At any given time, when you see Gargamel, he is plotting the demise of the Smurfs. At the beginning of the series, his plan was to boil the smurfs and turn them into gold. Gargamel was a capitalist. This portrayed of him implied that capitalists are greedy and put wealth above the wellbeing of others. He would do ANYTHING for money. Later in the series he was always trying to eat them, much like capitalists wish to devour the socialists, or absorb them into themselves.Also, Gargamel's appearance and big nose may be an anti-semetic caricature of a stereotypical Jewish man.
Smurf Guide Book
Unauthorized Guide to Smurfs Around the World (A Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $16.86 (as of 05/27/2012)
Covering more than 250 categories, this is the definitive reference for identifying and organizing Smurf collectibles from all over the world. Over 450 exciting color photos display PVC figures, mugs, glasses, villages, pins, buttons, plushes, animation cells, books, posters, games, and much, much more. The text includes a complete listing of all items illustrated, plus values and a helpful index.
Smurfette
The role of women
The Smurfs are all equal...except for Smurfette. Smurfette stands out as the only smurf that is not defined by an occupation or a personality trait, but simply by her gender. She is nothing but a woman. She is an outsider to the group and this is represented by having been created by Gargomel. Gargomel actually made Smurfette to be an evil weakness to the Smurfs...he said so.The dimunitive suffix of 'ette' meaning 'little', also identifies Smurfette as being not the equal of the males. Smurfette does not even get the common last name of Smurf. We know this is not an issolated case as another female smurfling was being raised...Sassette.
Smurfette
Possibly Communist Smurf Stuff on Amazon
Leon Trotsky - Brainy Smurf
Brainy Smurf, like Leon Trotsky, has round spectacles. Like Trotsky, who felt his intellectual theories of Communist society were superior, Brainy attempts to seize power in several episodes when Papa Smurf is away. Where do you stand?
Do you buy into any of these theories?
Yes, to some extend.
Jeff says:
These points seem to suggest that the Smurfs was about *communalism*, not Communism. Remember, the Smurfs lived in a tiny little village, not a giant USSR-sized country.
cbessa says:
Kinda like agree, but, who cares? :-) and, if it's really about communism, is like VDB, saindo.
Gargamel says:
a brilliant and incisive political theory, although perhaps you should get out more...
VDB says:
Pure coincidence. The smurfs show what the ideal form of Communism is. Sadly Communism was run by nut jobs like Stalin and Mao.
Democracy can be just as bad if taken to the extreme.
blabla says:
sure y not
No, it's bunk!
Guest says:
All it does is teach young children good habits like sharing and caring for each other
IndyTech says:
There are some points here that are credible. However, the smurfs were a "village" and as far as I can tell, they were the only such community. There was no "smurf nation". What would any small isolated village need currency for? For their size, why would they need more than one farmer, one carpenter, ETC? Small and isolated human societies in real life tend to follow a similar model. I think you people are reading way too far into this?.
CR2000 says:
It's just a cartoon : )
Baby G says:
i think its all bull its just a cartoon
Nonya says:
I say you people are sick and need to find a better hobby... its a freaking cartoon! I watched it my entire life and all it did was make me want a red cat! Freaks!
Azrael
Azrael, Gargamel's cat, represents the worker in the ruthless, free-market state that is Gargomel's house. He is exploited by the his leader. He is of unequal status to Gargamel.Azriel/Azrael means "Help from God" in Hebrew. In Islam and Judeo-Christian traditions Archangel Azrael/Ezra'il is the Angel of Death. (contributed by KCStargazer)
Bloggers on Communist Smurfs
Possibly Communist Smurf Paraphernalia
~ up for auction on ebay ~
Comments
Well, I know something is going through your mind right now. So, go ahead and tell us what it is. Do you have supporting evidence, or anything to contradict the theory?
By the way, I don't necessarily buy into this theory, I am just putting it out there, so you can be better informed of what people are talking about. (So, don't get snippy). For me, it's all just a bit of fun.
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esvoytko
Feb 23, 2012 @ 2:31 pm | delete
- I don't think the Smurfs should be taken as dyed-in-the-wool propaganda for a Soviet-style system. This is more about communalism and cooperative economics; you see more of this kind of thing in credit unions and farmers' markets than you did in Stalin's Politburo. This is a great lens, though, and I think you presented everything very well!
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jopalei
Sep 8, 2011 @ 12:23 am | delete
- Great Lens. No matter what your opinion is, it makes you think about the "indoctrination of our children" discussions that can be seen on the news these days. Also the "beehive mentality" of the Borg on Star Trek. I'm of the Bugs Bunny generation myself. I'd be interested in your opinions on my new Lens: Food Police, should you be kind enough to check it out. Thanks.
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momsfunny Apr 16, 2011 @ 10:37 pm | delete
- I am still crying, over the fact that we are going to be taken over by the Smurf's and their communistic ways!!
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kiwisoutback Mar 25, 2011 @ 10:52 pm | delete
- I feel so enlightened after reading this! I always knew there was something a little bit off about the Smurfs. Too bad the Snorks weren't cool enough to be analyzed this deeply.
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JaguarJulie Jul 25, 2009 @ 3:43 pm | delete
- Wow -- I didn't know that Smurf Communism had been around for a while -- personally I say NAY -- aliens for sure.
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PaxLamprey
Nov 18, 2008 @ 4:23 am | delete
- Great lens. I've heard about this and it is definitely something to think about. Although Peyo's family stated he was apolitical, there are some interesting comparisons to Smurfs and communism. And thanks for joining the Smurfy Lensgroup.
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Kanga
Aug 29, 2008 @ 7:40 pm | delete
- Haha, this is great! Apparently all fictional characters with big bushy beards are communists! Who knew??
I've always thought of the smurfs as being more like a family than a society... A very weird family, but a family all the same!
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jeffwend
Apr 19, 2008 @ 1:27 am | delete
- Seriously Kab, awesome lens. I just made the lens Smurf Stuff and found yours while doing research. I am surprised at the possible communist connection. Squid Angel Blessings on this enlightening lens.
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908tiki
Feb 11, 2008 @ 3:35 pm | delete
- Interesting exercise of thought...this whole comi-smurf theory. I do think that one fact kind kills the whole theory. The smurfs were on TV not to convince us of the glory of the "peoples struggle for yadda yadda"...but to sell stuff. To sell air time for commercials, to sell franchise junk like toys, games, underoos, coloring books.....etc...your Ebay links show some of the capitalist crap that this show spawned. So I think that since this show made so much loot being a capitalist front....I think the superficial commie coincidences are just that coincidences (sp). If you want a real commie show...how bout Star Trek?
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bdkz
Jul 23, 2007 @ 9:22 pm | delete
- Very interesting!
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by kab
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