Homer Simpson—sorry, folks, that Homer Simpson—is more passive than a sea sponge. No matter what you do—yell at him, make fun of him, ignore him, or even slap him—the guy simply won't stand up for himself. That's a bad situation, but it's made way worse by the entrance into his life of the sultry Faye Greener. Now that he has a seventeen-year-old starlet living in his spare bedroom, Homer has basically become a servant in his own home, his life dedicated to waiting on her hand and foot. C'mon, Homer—if you never stand up for yourself, you'll never meet your Marge.
Questions About Passivity
- Why does Homer's passivity upset Tod?
- Is Faye intentionally taking advantage of Homer? Explain.
- What is the symbolism of Homer's final appearance?
- How might the novel have been different if Homer had kicked Earle and Miguel out?