The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

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Family TV show analysis essay: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Part I
In The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, season 2 episode 2 The Mother of All Battles, Ashley the young child of the Banks family gets bullied and both Will and Carlton offer to help her get over this (Borowitz & Stevenson). Typically people perceive the negative depictions of African Americans as the reality (Punyanunt-Carter 251). To Will fighting is the best solution, but Carlton disagrees and seems to suggest that bribing the girl is better. The girl’s family visits the family and it turns that Paula clashed with Ashley because she assumed that she purposely bumped into her as she danced. The last season 6 the first episode Burning’ Down the House a judge is visiting the family home and Will needs to be nicer and well behaved (Borowitz & Stevenson).
The characterization of Will contrasts with that of Carlton who has been brought up in a middle-class set up. Will is more aggressive a trait common among male characters and this shows masculinity. The male characterization of young African American males in the sit com is constructed to represent their environment. Even though, Will is ready to use violence to get what he wants it is only in certain circumstances, when need arises. It reflected this belief that to stand up for oneself one needs to be assertive by showing some form of aggression. The sitcom suggests that the mishaps that Will goes through shapes his character as an assertive individual navigating the rules and codes of an upper class neighborhood.
In Burning Down the House, Hillary the older daughter in the family dresses more provocatively. Hillary’s characterization is one who is more willing to embrace the outside world, unlike her younger sister who follows rules strictly being under the care of her parents. As such, Hillary is one who is open minded while Ashley is more respectable (Borowitz & Stevenson). Hilary is an adventurous young female willing to do as she pleases, buts she also seeks advice from her family. It is a contrasting image showing that Hilary’s supposed open-mindedness is not entirely beneficial as she depends on the family to inform her decisions.
The characterization of Will is deeper compared to that of Hilary Banks. Will Smith, but they still conform to some gender stereotypes. On one hand, Will Smith is assertive and to some extent imposing as he seeks to engage Carlton with his blackness. On the other, his antics mask his immaturity as one who can take more responsibility despite showing the desire to lead. The Banks children are spoilt, and Hilary seeks the approval of everyone despite being the oldest of the three siblings. Hilary’s behavior to seek to involve the others in making decisions represents a female character whose actions must be legitimized to be acceptable. It is as though, women must worry about society expectations to judge whether they have been successful.
Part II
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air is a sitcom that relies on comedic relief to depict the challenges that Will faces in an unfamiliar place away for from the hood where they as brought up. As such, the conflicts between Will and his relatives emanate from ...