How a 40 year old newspaper comic illustrates a different perspective on a core aspect of the American ideal.
On November 18th, 1985, Bill Watterson changed countless childhoods forever. Anyone who read a print newspaper during the following decade would see one of the funniest and most relatable comic strips: Calvin and Hobbes. A story about a kid and his stuffed tiger/best friend getting into mischief may actually have a deeper meaning than just quick laughs. Over the ten years that Calvin was six years old, Watterson displayed an idea that the American Dream exists not only for adults, but for children too. Why explore this? Calvin and Hobbes’ nostalgia can give us a window into how to regain certain aspects of childhood that are less accessible as adults.
When we think of the classical American dream, it is from the perspective of adults. This is no fault of our own, as upward mobility, economic opportunity, and other key aspects such as a spouse, a suburban home, and two cars, aren’t in the forefront of children's minds, but we can explore other perspectives. I'm still figuring out my American Dream, but Calvin seems to already understand his. The Calvin and Hobbes comic takes the classical American dream and portrays it from an often unapproached perspective, that of an innocuous first grader. This vantage point gives a new way of viewing the ideal life, with a new set of facets. These facets can be applied to what adults think of as the telos of life.
When asked about the popularity of the strip, Watterson states “It’s a strip about a family — a familiar, universal setting that’s easy to identify with. I’m trying to put a unique twist on it, but it’s well-covered ground.” The reason his comic stands out is because of its portrayal of the American Dream in combination with its wit and inventiveness.
The American Dream, if realized, signifies that one has attained prosperity, happiness, and independence. Most children don't have the individual capacity to achieve economic mobility, but they do to achieve happiness and independence. The main aspects of Calvin’s American Dream are creativity and reflection. Living both in one’s own world, and in the real one. If happiness and independence are the goal, though for children maybe an unconscious one, the first step to fulfillment is creativity.
Creativity
Calvin’s wild imagination permeates throughout every edition of the comic; From bubble bath monsters to eyeball sandwiches, he is constantly creating new characters and games to play and fight. Every kid plays games in their head to pass the time, and Watterson, though 27 years old when he began the cartoon, beautifully encapsulates these games on the page.
A perfect example is Calvinball. The self-titled game that Calvin and Hobbes play has only one permanent rule: “You can’t play the same way twice!”. Involving a few Lone Ranger masks, a repurposed volleyball, and any other miscellaneous sporting equipment, a game of calvinball is fundamentally and entirely based on imagination, and is therefore the ultimate childhood game. Free passages to wicket five, the ‘Very Sorry Song,’ the ‘No Song Zone,’ and jumping until the Bonus Box is found are all rules created to maximize the fun of the game. While all the other kids are playing kickball, dodgeball, or football the same way every time, hoping for excitement, Calvin and Hobbes are generating the excitement themselves with Invisible Sectors and a score of Q to 12.
Reflectiveness
In a full page Sunday strip written in 1994, Calvin is about to throw a snowball at his frenemy Susie, when Hobbes says “Some philosophers say that true happiness comes from a life of virtue.” Calvin thinks for a moment, and then tosses the snowball aside. He then goes home, cleans his room, does his homework, and completes a number of other chores that are completely out of character for him. After completing all of these tasks, he runs back outside and hits Susie with a snowball. As he is walking away he says “Someday I’ll write my own philosophy book.” to which Hobbes responds “Virtue needs some cheaper thrills.”
The last ever Calvin and Hobbes was printed on December 31st, 1995, in which the duo are contemplating the winter wonderland. Calvin exclaims “A new year… A fresh, clean start!” With his hands on his hips, and Hobbes holding the bobsled, continues “A day full of possibilities!”
Self reflection allows one to make their own path and encourages individuality, both of which are aspects of the American dream.
Additionally, kids enjoy acting mature, and Calvin’s philosophical comments, aided by Hobbes, display that. Not only is the inversion of expectations funny, but it reminds us to act our age, and do our own reflection.
Calvin and Hobbes, in addition to being a funny and relatable comic strip, outlines a version of the American Dream that isn't often seen: that of a kid. Due to a number of factors, it is a paired down version of the classical American Dream, but the important thing to remember is it is still contained inside the dream that we all chase. It's easy to get caught up in the material facets, such as a house, job, and car, subsequently forgetting about creativity and self reflection. As adults we must remember to be creative and reflective as a virtue of that dream. To that I would call upon the last lines of the final comic, in which Calvin states “It's a magical world Hobbes, ol’ buddy… / …Let's go exploring!”
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