Blog # 6: Gender Swap

Gender Swap: Maude vs Smithers

The television show I choose to give two characters a "gender swap" is The Simpsons, using the characters Maude Flanders and Waylon Smithers. The former Simpson’s neighbor Maude, is the deceased wife of Ned Flanders and mother to their children Rod and Todd. Smithers is Mr. Burns’ executive assistant at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. I chose these two, because if their genders were swapped, Smithers would still carry some of the same tropes that he has now, and Maude may not, if placed in the same situation.

For example, Maude Flanders, displays a “More Dangerous Than Male” trope with her relationship with Marge. In comparison to Marge’s relationship with her husband, Ned Flanders, who comes across as genuinely well-meaning and good-natured. While Marge and Maude on the surface appear to be good friends, all of their interactions give a sense of contempt, with conversations peppered in thinly-veiled remarks and back handed compliments(mostly, if not always by Maude).  As if Maude looks at Marge as more of a rival, to the point she hires the Yakuza to stop Marge’s pretzel business. The actions would fit the “Bitch in Sheep's Clothing” trope. When Maude was alive and even after her death, her husband Ned, appears to fit the trope, “Single-Target Sexuality”; someone who is only attracted to a specific person.

“Single-Target Sexuality” could apply to Waylon Smithers, in a 2007 interview The Simpsons Movie director David Silverman labelled him “Burns-sexual” . His crush on Mr. Burns  fits “Incompatible Orientation”, which is defined as when someone is attracted to a person who doesn't swing the same way they do.  In the first 10 seasons, Smithers has an ambiguous sexual orientation, but it is implied that he is a closeted gay man through double entendres. His loyalty and obedience as a sycophantic assistant to Mr. Burns, hides his personal life of enjoying dancing, musicals and Malibu Stacy dolls. His lack of flamboyance would make him a “Straight Gay”.

If Maude switched genders, it would be questionable if Ned would still be in love with her. They are deeply religious, but I have not seen or remember an episode where they addressed their views on homosexuality. I don’t think Maude would have a rivalry with Marge, because she wouldn’t find Marge a threat. Although Maude still might find Homer to be repulsive. Maude’s character is very negatively gender based tropes, so if she switched genders she would be a complete 180 of what she was. However, Smithers would become the negative gender tropes that apply to females in the manic pixie dream girl section. He would fit the obsession tropes used with female characters. If he is part of the LGBTQ community, one could debate that he may be a “Purely Aesthetic Gender”.

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