Character Analysis: All In The Family

Television help to develop many cultural norms that societies experience in everyday life. In the 1970’s viewers are introduced to a revolutionary change that became popularized and broadcast in most American homes. That type of television discusses civil issues that focus on topics that influence media dissimilarities such as racism, poverty, sexuality to sexism. These particular television shows pave the way for any show that one can view today that exudes diversity. Family Situational Comedies introduce an interesting, unique and unbiased point of view that presented the lives of different families you could actual find in America who weren’t perfect and face real struggles. The families in these popular shows were a plethora working class

The main character Archie Bunker who is portrayed by Carroll O’Connor sort of a conservative, misconstrued, arrogant, and easily irritated character who is constantly going head to head with his daughter’s liberal, knowledgeable and also egotistical husband. The show also has a loving and nurturing side when introducing his wife Edith who is portrayed Jean Stapleton and daughter Gloria. The show has several episodes that focus on a variety of particular issues from severity of rape, addiction and proper parenting. “All in the Family”, especially does a superb job on focusing on racial tension and division found in middle to upper class suburban civilization. Viewers see the son constantly trying to inform his fathers on the importance of diversity and classifying one’s nationality the proper way and not in common stereotype. Although Archie coined the name the “friendly bigot”, there are episodes such as season 8 episode 7 “Archie and the KKK part I” where viewers see Archie often figure things out and do the right by the end. In this episode recapped by Tvtropes.com, “Archie and Edith stay with Mike and Gloria during the 1977 New York blackout. With no electricity and nothing to do, Archie and Mike begin to converse — which means arguing about social events. On

In episode “Lionel’s Engagement” the discussion of racism becomes even more intriguing where we are introduce to the character George Jefferson who is portrayed by Sherman Hemsley. In this episode recapped by All in the Familywiki, “The Bunkers are invited to Lionel 's engagement to Jenny Willis, who comes from a mixed marriage: Her father, Tom (called Louis in this episode), is white while her mother, Helen, is black. This bothers Archie and really, really, really bothers George.” All in the Family allowed some of the most prevalent and remarkable spin off happen such as The Jefferson’s, Maude, Good Times and Sanford and Son that I will also discuss the importance they shows shared in television