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1. almost 4 years ago on Garfield

   Here Jim Davis gives us a caricature of us all. When we evaluate ourselves, we never want to see someone who is riddled with flaws, although we all certainly are. When faced with realities that we can, and should, be improving, we often reject those ideas outright. The lack of modern technology showcased in this strip coupled with reference to a 1950’s TV show only serves to exacerbate that idea further. Garfield himself is rejecting the idea of progress while also existing in a space anachronistic of the 2012 release date of this strip. As many other analysts here have pointed out the source material is being used referentially at best, but this truly highlights how Davis wants us to put our past selves in Garfield’s shoes here. It’s also impossible not to think about its context in the modern American political climate where our country is more divided than ever. We can certainly learn and grow from one another, but we often choose to reject that idea because, like Garfield in panels two and three, we find thoughts outside of our comfort zone upsetting. Davis truly speaks to the nature of our inability to cope with these feelings of anger or to enact change when Garfield himself is unable to take action. We choose to be outraged but make no attempts to rectify the situation. While there is much more to say here, there has already been a great amount of discourse on this particular strip, so I will leave my thoughts at that.

2. almost 4 years ago on Garfield

   Jim Davis dives into an analysis here on the relative importance that living beings place upon themselves. Much like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we see a stark contrast between what is important for Garfield and the worm. Garfield, as a pampered and loved house cat, has ample access to food, shelter and affection. As a result, he seeks entertainment (expressed here as speaking to this worm on the lawn). The worm, on the other hand, has a base level need of survival. As prey, the worm is only concerned with his own safety. He is thrilled about his day, his life, his very existence when he learns that he is not in immediate danger. We as humans need to understand the situations others find themselves in and use that as a frame of reference. While we may feel bored or sad, we must always keep in mind others in the world who struggle simply to survive. This is not to undermine our own needs, but to provide a broader perspective. Davis really encapsulates that idea perfectly in this classic three-panel strip.

3. almost 4 years ago on Garfield

   A distinct lack of subtlety from Jim Davis in this strip, but its point is still useful. Garfield here attempts to debunk an age-old adage and is immediately confronted by the harshness of its truth. The nature of idioms is at question here, but they have stood the test of time for good reason. While Garfield, like many of us, seeks to question or perhaps update these age old sayings, many of them still hold truth to this day. Ironic, perhaps, that this can be applied so easily to a world 40 years later. We can certainly learn and grow, but there is a fountain of wisdom to be gained by heeding the words of those who came before us.

4. almost 4 years ago on Garfield

   Truly a timeless strip from Jim Davis dating back almost 23 years. Garfield’s yearning for a more primal, simpler time is a feeling we can all empathize with, hearkening back to classics like Walden by Henry David Theroux. The modern hustle and bustle world we live in has many challenges which never existed in times of old. However, Davis here has a very level-headed take. While Garfield’s desire is certainly understandable, he cannot truly distance himself from the conveniences of technology. He wants to go back but cannot do so without modern means. This speaks to the way that technology has enriched our lives significantly despite its many challenges. While this idea seems great in theory, we don’t realize how much we rely on modern conveniences to allow us to experience more of what we love. The symbolism in the second panel of an unconstrained, rose-tinted world is quickly brought back to our constrained reality once the practicality sinks in. Jon’s expression across the panels serves as a lens into Davis’ feelings towards this sentiment. Ultimately, our primal desires are short-sighted, and we should look within to experience joy in the here and now.

5. almost 4 years ago on Garfield

   A biting commentary on the times, Jim Davis delivers a poignant expose on the importance of creatives in all of our lives. First, most obviously, Davis has elected to have almost identical art in all three panels. This speaks to the emphasis we should all feel on the impact of words, a writer’s contribution to a creative work. Second, Garfield, looking at the reader, wants us to know that the lack of flare and joy available to him through the media is a direct result of the loss of creatives in the industry. The fact that we must watch a show on a crime-fighting mime – absurdist humor at its best – is an absolute travesty. Finally, we know that Davis himself is a creative individual. We see here the effects on the world when these creatives are exploited and the void left in our lives when they collectively disappear. Davis implores all of the readers to understand the impact that these people have on our lives and do our best to cherish and value them.

6. almost 4 years ago on Garfield

   A master of his craft, Jim Davis has truly stumped the experts with this strip. There are many obviously important and intentional details here. While the overall intention of the narrative can go in many ways, I think a few things are clear: the use of toner in the background represents the shifting tones of the panels, Garfield’s lethargic pose is indicative of the inertia we all feel at trying to change ourselves, and Jon’s unwavering pose being only broken by Garfield’s stance speaks to the power of action. Certainly the meaning can be intepreted as the importance of tone in constructive criticism, but there are deep, abstract underlying themes that mystify even me. I will say this: Davis has created a wonderful enigma here which will have scholars discussing it for years.

7. almost 4 years ago on Garfield

   A light-hearted note from the otherwise very morally dense narrative of the Garfield universe. In this strip, Jim Davis really highlights the simple joys in life. While Garfield is initially unhappy with his circumstances, he is able to find the silver lining of an otherwise unsatisfying situation. This speaks to how we, no matter our situations, can always find simple joys in our lives. Not as deep as many of Davis’ other works, but there is a sort of calming nature to a bright note in an otherwise heavy canon.

8. almost 4 years ago on Garfield

   Garfield, like all of us, dons a mask to hide his true self. Perhaps ashamed of what the world might think of him were he to lay it all out. In panel 1, he attempts to engage in an interaction with another. Davis, in a cunning master stroke, actually conveys Garfield attempting to scare Odie. This speaks to the way that we all, in many ways, attempt to “scare” or push away others in order to hide the parts of our personalities we do not care for. Davis here presents an extremely optimistic outlook on this issue. Odie, ignoring Garfield’s attempt to push him away, in fact delivers a sympathetic slurp to the shocking scene. The large rainbow slurp represents how Odie’s love and acceptance of Garfield and, by extension all of us, spans the entire spectrum of human emotion. This realization solidifies in the hearty snap bringing Garfield’s fear-inducing persona crashing down into him. Davis is telling us here that if we are willing to open up to others, we can find solidarity in spite of our flaws.

9. almost 4 years ago on Garfield

   Jim Davis truly captures the essence of Garfield here. The nihilism displayed in the first panel as Garfield tosses aside the instrument of his own gluttony really speaks to some deeper tones that Davis attempts to highlight. Garfield’s exhaustion combined with his almost disingenuous discarding of the table scraps showcases his unwavering ability to disregard the societal norms of the world. While Garfield wishes that he could consume all in front of him, he simply cannot. He grows weary of the trials of day to day life. Garfield, much like all of us, can no longer stand it. I think all of our metaphorical “taste buds” are exhausted at this point.