Calvin and Hobbes: A Timeless Masterpiece
Photo from Goodreads by Bill Watterson.
Sage Osesek
If you have never read Calvin and Hobbes, you are depriving yourself of a masterful work of art. At first glance, this comic seems as if it were written for children—bedtime stories about a child and his stuffed tiger. Although this can be the case, Calvin and Hobbes is a beautifully written comic that is perfect for all ages, from children to the elderly. It touches on complex subjects like philosophy, morality, environmental issues, and politics while maintaining a humorous and light-hearted attitude. This timeless comic is the prime example of societally-critical art in its truest form. To explore the depths of Calvin and Hobbes, it's imperative to analyze its dialogue, characters, and recurring themes.
Calvin
Calvin, the inquisitive and hyperactive six-year-old boy, is named after Protestant Reformer, John Calvin. This initial labeling sets the stage for a culturally influential comic. Calvin views his stuffed tiger as a real tiger and friend. Hobbes, a wise companion, is his only friend due to Calvin’s strange tendencies. Calvin has a habit of pretending to be a spaceman (Spaceman Spiff), a detective (Tracer Bullet), a superhero (Stupendous Man), and other creatures, which generally wards off other potential friends. As a result, he confides in his tiger. Calvin, a self-proclaimed cynic and loner, does not mind this lack of friends, saying, “If you can just get most people to leave you alone, you’re doing good.” He is also notably egotistical with high expectations. When Hobbes asks him about his New Year’s resolutions, Calvin says, “Resolutions? Me?? Just what are you implying? That I need to change?? Well, buddy, as far as I’m concerned, I’m perfect the way I am!” While discussing history, he claims, “Thousands of generations lived and died to produce my exact, specific parents, whose reason for being, obviously, was to produce me.” Based on Calvin’s dialogue, it’s concluded that in society’s eyes, he is a menace and a brat. Despite his flaws, he recognizes society's larger issues with surprising clarity.
Hobbes
Hobbes, significantly calmer than Calvin, is Calvin’s voice of reason. He is always somewhat overwhelmed by Calvin’s strong opinions, yet remains a loyal companion. Hobbes shares similar views as Thomas Hobbes, whom he is named after. Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher, had a negative view of human nature. Hobbes shares this opinion, saying, “The only problem with people is that they’re only human.” On a stroll through the woods, Calvin asks Hobbes, “Do you believe in the Devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of man?”
Hobbes replies, “I’m not sure man needs the help,” which would be remarkably similar to Thomas Hobbes’s response. Hobbes, a stuffed tiger in the eyes of everyone except Calvin, aids Calvin in discussing society’s flaws and pondering complex topics.
Philosophy
Calvin and Hobbes spend a great deal of time playing Calvinball and transmogrifying themselves, but they also frequently discuss sophisticated topics. From various comic strips, it’s settled that Calvin and Hobbes are geniuses who have the intellectual clarity of wise 17th-century philosophers. When Calvin asks Hobbes about man’s purpose, Hobbes responds, “Tiger food.” This response, witty and Hobbes-esque as it is, has an underlying meaning that is lost in a young audience. Hobbes notes the pointless and fleeting nature of human life. In a different strip, Calvin has an existential moment as he looks up at the sky and screams, “I’m significant!” After a moment’s pause, he says, “Screamed the dust speck.” Here, he recognizes the insignificance of a singular life. Although it is a dark belief, Calvin forces the readers to think about a topic that is often blissfully ignored. Throughout the series, Calvin asks the following thought-provoking questions that are both scary and insightful:
“Is our quick experience here pointless?”
“Have we made the most of these precious footsteps?”
“Why do you suppose we’re here?”
“If we’re just going to die, what’s the point of living?”
“What if nothing means anything?”
These pessimistic inquiries serve to develop Calvin’s character while imploring the audience to reflect on their own opinions about these hard and complicated topics.
Politics
Calvin and Hobbes was written from 1985 to 1995, amidst the Cold War. Therefore, it was predictable that Calvin would make comments about the political world. In a popular Sunday strip, Calvin and Hobbes are playing war. Calvin is the “fearless American defender of liberty and democracy” while Hobbes is the “loathsome, godless, communist oppressor.” They both shoot each other, and Calvin concludes, “Kind of a stupid game, isn’t it?” Here, Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes, is commenting on the pointless nature of the Cold War. The idea of mutually assured destruction was, in Calvin’s eyes, a tactic that left both sides dead, with neither the “defender of liberty” nor the “communist oppressor” gaining anything.
Further discussing the Cold War, Watterson notes the prominent McCarthyism of the era. McCarthyism, the paranoia that everyone is a communist, is shown through Calvin’s interactions with his family. His mother tells him it’s time for bed, but he refuses, saying, “It’s a free country. I can do what I want.” His mother responds by putting him in bed, and he shouts, “Communists!” Watterson comically exposes America’s excessive paranoia by using Calvin’s insistence that his mother’s controlling actions are communist. Much like many Americans during the Cold War, Calvin makes irrational accusations.
In another strip about war, Calvin asks his dad, “Dad, how do soldiers killing each other solve the world's problems?” His father is lost for words, leaving Calvin’s question unanswered. Once again, Calvin is inquiring about topics that no one wants to discuss.
Politically, Calvin is intellectually advanced, more so than any of the adult characters in the comic.
Environmental concerns
As mentioned, Calvin and Hobbes both have a dim view of humans. Calvin humorously recognizes humanity’s flaws while being self-centered and disobedient. Among these flaws, Calvin and Hobbes notice society’s environmental issues. Upon seeing a pile of garbage on the forest floor, Calvin wisely notes, “Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.”
Calvin and Hobbes also become concerned about deforestation as they are exposed to more of this destruction. When a forest was cut down for condos, Calvin yells, “Animals can’t afford condos!” After a discussion with Hobbes about this rapid urbanization, Calvin says, “Eventually there won’t be a nice spot left anywhere.” Humanity’s easy disregard for other creatures and the environment is often forgotten in everyday life, yet Watterson forces the readers to remember their devastating impact. Calvin’s observations remain accurate: As humans continue to destroy the environment, there won’t be any nice areas to enjoy.
As the series progresses, humans’ lack of concern for the environment becomes unbearable to Calvin. So, as any six-year-old and tiger with a wagon would do, Calvin and Hobbes travel to Mars. Immediately after arriving, Calvin unwraps a candy bar and throws the wrapper on Mars’s untainted land. Hobbes comments, “That’s not a candy wrapper over there, is it?” Calvin left Earth because he was dissatisfied with humans' treatment of the planet. However, after arriving at a different planet, he hypocritically litters. Thus, Watterson notes that even those who criticize environmental issues contribute to the problem. Comic strips like these allow the audience to reflect on humanity’s selfishness and inconsiderate actions.
Human nature
Calvin and Hobbes also explore the topic of human nature and morality. While sledding, they discuss whether human nature is good with a few bad tendencies, bad with a few good tendencies, or crazy. After they crash their sled, Hobbes chooses crazy. With a humorous flair, Calvin and Hobbes conclude the long argument regarding humans’ morality, wisely deciding that humans are neither good nor evil; they are crazy.
Later, Calvin decides to ignore his problems. “You know what I’ve noticed, Hobbes? Things don’t bug you if you don’t think about them. So from now on, I simply won’t think about anything I don’t like.”
Hobbes responds, “Isn’t that a pretty silly and irresponsible way to live?” In this short strip, Watterson perfectly sums up humanity’s tendency to ignore the world’s problems. People ignore environmental and philosophical issues simply because they don’t like the subject. Society doesn't like to talk about whether humans are good or evil, deforestation concerns, or political worries. As Hobbes wisely observes, it is irresponsible to disregard subjects that are important to dissect.
The media
Calvin and Hobbes considers the flaws of the media. Calvin, a modernism enthusiast, supports the dramatic media, but Watterson makes it clear he finds it ridiculous.
While reading the paper, Calvin says, “I like following the news! News organizations know I won't sit still for any serious discussion of complex and boring issues. They give me what I want: antics, emotional confrontation, sound bites, scandal, sob stories and popularity polls all packaged as a soap opera and horse race! It's very entertaining.”
Ultimately, Calvin exposes the theatrical manner in which the media displays information, seeking to guarantee views rather than deliver facts. Despite that Calvin and Hobbes was written about 30 years ago, Calvin’s observations about the media remain more accurate than ever.
Advertising
During the 1980s and 1990s, advertising became more exaggerated and prominent to maximize profit. Throughout the series, Watterson clearly demonstrates his distaste for this new, superfluous advertising through Calvin’s satirical support.
“I wish my shirt had a logo or a product on it. A good shirt turns the wearer into a walking corporate billboard! It says to the world, ‘My identity is so wrapped up in what I buy that I paid the company to advertise its products’…Endorsing products is the American way to express individuality.”
Watterson sarcastically displays his opinion regarding advertising. He mocks people who give into modern capitalism and criticizes globalization through Calvin’s eager support. Satirical strips like these expose the flaws of the media and advertising.
A perfect comfort comic
Even though Calvin and Hobbes explores deep and complicated topics, it remains heartwarming and moving. Calvin and Hobbes' friendship is remarkably loyal and inseparable. To maintain a comforting atmosphere, various strips focus on touching dialogue rather than complex themes. “I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long,” Hobbes says after Calvin asks why they dream.
Maintaining a heartwarming feeling, Calvin asks Hobbes what he would wish for if he could have anything. Hobbes responds, “A big sunny field to be in.” Hobbes recognizes the simplicity of happiness. Rather than riches and power, Hobbes knows that simple joys like a sunny field go beyond common desires. These touching moments in Calvin and Hobbes remind the audience of the ease with which they can attain happiness.
The last comic strip ends with Calvin saying, “It’s a magical world, Hobbes ol’ buddy…Let’s go exploring!” Concluding the 10-year comic strip with comforting dialogue, Watterson allows the audience to recognize that Calvin and Hobbes’s adventure never ends. From 1985 to 1995, Watterson created a comic strip that humorously exposed the flaws of society and dissected the perplexities of philosophy, all while developing characters whom the audience is guaranteed to grow attached to.
It’s important to note that Watterson didn’t create the iconic Calvin and Hobbes friendship for the money. Many cartoonists take advantage of advertising their characters with flashy merchandise like clothes, posters, and trinkets. Watterson made the bold decision to not turn Calvin and Hobbes into an advertising and money-making scheme. He could have made hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising rights, yet he turned it down, claiming it would reduce the value of the strip itself. This expands the importance of Calvin and Hobbes. Their adventures and thought-provoking discussions weren’t for the money; they were for the art and enlightenment.
Calvin and Hobbes is a once-in-a-lifetime comic, one that is reserved for the best literature. To simultaneously think deeply, abstractly, and somewhat cynically while laughing about the exploits of a six-year-old and his best friend, read Calvin and Hobbes. It is a timeless treasure that will please everyone.
Sources
All quotes from Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson.
