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Lisa Simpson
| Age: 8 |
| Role in family: Moral center and middle child |
| Once called herself: "The saddest kid in grade number two." |
| Plays: Saxophone (and, occasionally, the guitar) |
| First word as baby: "Bart." |
| Obsession: Ponies |
| First crush: Substitute teacher Mr. Bergstrom |
| Second crush: Nelson Muntz |
| Perpetual crush: Several actors named Corey. |
| Past addictions: The Corey Hotline, Trucker's Choice Stay-Awake Tablets |
Extracurricular: Mentored by late jazzman Bleeding Gums Murphy. Busted her father for an illegal cable hookup. Won regional Reading Digest essay contest, but lost the national competition in Washington, D.C., after losing faith in government. Served Brief term as Little Miss Springfield until she became disillusioned by pageant sponsorship by Laramie Cigarettes. Desired by Ralph Wiggum. Disgusted by the talking Malibu Stacey doll's lack of integrity, coinvented poor-selling Lisa Lionheart doll. All-star goalie in pee-wee hockey. Discovered Jebediah Springfield was a pirate. Assisted Mr. Burns in recovering his lost fortune. Passed the second grade as the first female cadet at Rommelwood Military Academy. Refused to participate in "The Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour."
Over the years, the smartest little girl in Springfield has acquired a softer hairdo (well, relatively speaking), bigger eyes, a cuter overbite, and a heap of anti-establishment beliefs. However, still remaining are the red tube dress, the pearls, and the insecurity. Yes, yes, please ignore the hip outfit worn by her in the chart above. I agree, it's provides a great contrast, but does not reflect reality. In the episode alluded to, Lisa learns that clothes don't really make you cool, and everyone can find friends relying solely on personality.
It is hilarious to see her try, though.
Maybe this will remind you how
fruitful trying to be
cool can be. Lisa suffered her share of makeovers and outfits, but she
always returns to the red dress. She has worn a preppy black number with
platform shoes as a result of an unhappy "friendship" with the new
girl, Alex Whitney. For a United States costume competition Lisa was sown
in between two couch cushions to represent Florida. She even dressed up
for the Little Miss Springfield Pageant... oh, God.
Reality of Life
It's hard to be a nerd. Well, no wonder I can relate to Lisa so much...
"I don't get it. Straight A's, perfect attendance, Bathroom Timer... I should be the most popular girl in school." Lisa, wondering why no one signed her yearbook.
"Friends? These are my only friends. Grown-up nerds like Gore Vidal and even he's kissed more boys than I ever will."
Let's face it, life's not easy when your older brother is "the devil's cabana boy."
And what about the rest of the family? They don't make it any easier...
Yet she always tries to conquer new challenges, a girl in a man's world...
"Lisa, here's a whistle. If there's a war, blow on it, and I'll come help you." Firearms teacher at the Rommelville military academy, noting that firearms proficiency doesn't run in the family.
The Way to Veggie
Lisa
is the youngest inspirational vegetarian on television.
Her conversion happened after a visit to a petting zoo and a warm interaction with a baby lamb. When she announced her decision, Lisa met obstacles everywhere: in the school cafeteria, in the classroom, even in her own family. In her outrage, she ruined Homer's big barbecue (yes, the BBBQ). However, Apu along with Paul and Linda McCartney convinced her to be less militant.
Matt Groening and his group of writers were inspired by a pro-vegetarian speaker who came to their studio. The episode made many American vegetarian groups very happy.
The Only Outlet for Expression
Aah, music... Who hasn't experienced its power of consolation. Well, for Lisa, it's the only creative outlet--after all, that's what her parents picked in substitution of a school for gifted children. But can music still console you when your favorite musician dies? Lisa experienced the death of Bleeding Gums Murphy, her jazz role model, but it seems music got her through that too.
The Little Girl in Me
My childhood innocence? Probably lost. Entirely? Hopefully not. (Hey, did all of you Romance scholars perk up?) Anyway, characters like Lisa keep my romanticism alive and remind me that it's not too late to still enjoy the simple things... like a warm night, a bowl of ice-cream, and a good old episode of The Simpsons on good old TV ("Kids, are you hugging the TV?")
