Icon Analysis ~ Assignment 2-1

3 Contemporary Icons

        My three contemporary icons are Snoopy, The Simpsons, and Barbie Dolls. I have chosen these three for a specific reason - childhood memories. I remember growing up with those icons (watching those cartoons and playing with barbies) and I know everyone can relate to not how popular these once were, but are still remembered and recognized today.

                                                  

      I chose Snoopy because he was my favorite cartoon character growing up. Snoopy was introduced in 1950 by Charles Schulz to eight newspapers. From his carefree days lying on his doghouse, his escapades fighting the Red Baron, to taunting Lucy, Snoopy lived in his own fantasy world; cool, calm, confident, and in charge. He doesn’t speak; but he really doesn’t need to. His actions speak for themselves and reflect all we need to see and know. Nothing much has changed about Snoopy other than the characters he portrays. Snoopy has been around since I was a child and now as an Aunt, I watch as my niece becomes a part of Snoopy’s world. I make sure each holiday when the traditional Charlie Brown cartoons come on, to make sure my niece is watching them as well to keep the tradition going. After all of these years, the Peanuts carton and Snoopy has become a favorite of many generations (young and old) who continue to love the antics he gets into. 

                                                    

      The Simpsons were my favorite television show. The show has been in the public eye for over two decades.  The Simpsons debuted in 1987 as a short on The Tracey Ullman Show.  After a three season run it became a prime time show.  Over the years the Simpsons has garnered many awards.  It is the longest running American sitcom, the longest running American animated program, and the longest running American prime time scripted television series. I remember watching that show religiously while growing up and if I ever missed an episode, I always had it recorded (on VCR back then). I still have VCR tapes of all the old episodes and want to keep these so I can not only share with my niece, but eventually when I have children. I want to share the memories and fun times of the show. It was so comical to me and loved every minute of it!

       

      Barbie dolls are another icon that most people would recognize all over the world. Barbie has been manufactured since 1959 and they have produced enough Barbie dolls to go around the earth approximately 3 times. It wasn’t until 1980 according to fashion-guide.com that the first black Barbie doll was introduced again demonstrating the societal changes in time through popular belief acceptance. The script Barbie print and the ponytail doll in the black and white striped bathing suit is widely known.  Whenever I see a Barbie doll, it takes me back to my favorite childhood memories of playing with my Barbies with my sister. There were only two of us, but there were a lot of Barbie dolls and accessories in our home. Barbie also reminds me of the holiday, Christmas. I always got Barbie’s around Christmas time and it brings back the feelings of joy, excitement, and love of having another doll. 

References 

Browne, R.B. (2005). Profiles of popular culture: A reader. Madison, WI: The University of Wisconsin Press.

Mattel, Inc. (2013). Barbie. Retrieved on July 10, 2013, from http://www.barbie.com.

Peanuts. (2013). Characters - Snoopy. Retrieved on July 10, 2013, from http://www.peanuts.com.



Petracca, M. & Sorapure, M. (2009). Common culture: Reading and writing about American popular culture. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. 


The Simpsons. (2013). About. Retrieved on July 10, 2013, from http://www.thesimpsons.com.