Scott Tenorman Must Die: Cartman

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Eric Theodore Cartman is a fictional cartoon character in the second longest running cartoon ever made; “South Park”. Eric is a cynical, overweight child that often assumes the position of an antagonist in episodes, demonstrating that he will stop at no costs to get what he wants, even if it means intentionally harming his “friends”. Eric lives with his mother in South Park and has never had a relationship with his father or even met him. It was established in season two that Cartman’s mother, Liane, was an intersexual who fathered as well as mothered Cartman. Although, recent episodes have suggested that this was a lie and that in upcoming episodes Cartman’s father would be identified. Cartman’s mother often spoils him, buying him whatever …show more content…

Seeing other people suffer, especially after they have wronged him is a major internal reinforcement for Cartman’s behavior and guides much of it. In a season five episode “Scott Tenorman Must Die” Cartman is cheated out of $16.12 by an older boy named Scott Tenorman and then repeatedly embarrassed by him. After consecutive failed attempts to try and get even with Scott Tenorman, Cartman finally executes a sadistic scheme. Upon realizing that the local farmer shoots any trespassers, Cartman lures Scott Tenorman’s parents to the farm where they are shot and killed by the farmer. Cartman then proceeds to make chili out of the remains of Scott’s parents and then feeds the boy a bowl at the Chili Carnival in town. This was considered the most extreme of Cartman’s behaviors executed out of spite for another …show more content…

The Psychoanalytic perspective involves three “parts” of the brain: the ego, id, and superego. Behind each “part” there are working principles: the id controls pleasure drives and satisfying self needs, the superego controls the standard by which you make decisions or one’s moral compass, and the ego balances the two into a reality, taking both into account as well as what would be acceptable actions for oneself in public or society. Cartman’s actions and behaviors show that he is dominated by his id, acting solely on principles of pleasure and personal fulfillment. His ego does not show balance between the id and superego, but rather comes out just as the id. As a fourth grader, it is somewhat normal for Eric to be dominated by his id, though not to the extent of which he is. Still under the watch and direct care from their parents, the superego “area” of the child’s mind is still mostly seen on their caregiver. Eric’s id is overwhelmingly dominate in this balance system, and may cause significant problems as he grows older and sexuality plays a dominate role in the behaviors of the id. As an only-child who is repeatedly spoiled, receiving anything he wants from his mom, one can get an idea of how such a dominant id was

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