Mahmud El Adwi

Those little blue creatures that may seem at first glance an example of kindness and happiness, may not really be what we think they are.
The name, "Schtroumpf", originated from an inside joke between the Belgian writer Peyo and his friend André Franquin. While having dinner in a restaurant, Peyo asked his friend for the salt, but was unable to come up with the name. Instead of "Passez-moi le sel" ("Give me the salt") he blurted out: "Passez-moi le schtroumpf" ("Give me the smurf").
For the rest of the evening, the two friends used this made-up word as a replacement for other noun and verbs. When looking for a name for his new little creatures, Peyo didn't have to think long. The funny wordplay of his night out also formed the basis for the iconic and incomprehensible Smurf language.
At his wife's suggestion, Peyo gave the Smurfs blue skin with white pants and caps. She felt green would make them dissolve in the forest colors, red was "too fierce" and pink "too human". Only their leader, Le Grand Schtroumpf (Papa Smurf), had a red outfit and a beard. Right from the start, the Smurfs received their characteristic village with mushroom houses.

In fact, the world of the smurfs is bigger than the world that Peyo made it is a whole world with its own political and economic system. Although the writer tried with all his might to create an imaginary world far from reality, critics believe that some of the features of our real world appeared in the world of Smurfs.
Unfortunately, these features are some of the tragic features of our world, such as racism, dictatorship, masculinity, and the stereotyping of women.
This appears in the first story of the Smurfs, as an insect bites one of the smurfs, so the Smurf turns from blue to black, becomes dull, heavy and stupid, he becomes unable even to speak, but only utters only one word, which is "Gnap!". So the infection begins to spread among the Smurfs.
Of course, linking the black color to mental abilities and the way of speaking, made the opinion of critics that there are racist messages in this story. Especially that the album spread in Belgium after the independence of the Congo. Therefore, critics suggest that Peyo was afraid of the spread of the black race and its impact on Europe.
But the color of affected smurfs was changed from black to purple in the cartoon series when it was released in the United States, to avoid accusations of racism.

Racism is not the only thing The Smurfs are accused of, as the stereotyping of women and masculinity are clearly notable in this imaginary society. This appears in Smurfette's character, as the way she appeared in the Smurfs society is also controversial.
Smurfette was created by the evil wizard Gargamel, the Smurfs' enemy, in order to spy on them and sow jealousy. Gargamel added some old stereotypes about women when he was making a smurfette. Such as: "sugar and spice but nothing nice, crocodile tears, half a pack of lies, a chatter of a magpie, and the hardest stone for her heart".
And when Gargamel finishes making Smurfette, she appears brunette, with black hair, and gives the impression that she is not beautiful. So, she doesn't appeal to any of the Smurfs. Until papa Smurf appears to turn her into a blond girl with elegant clothes, so then she becomes very attractive and appeals to all smurfs.
As if it's a hint that the perfect beauty is only the European blonde beauty.
Although Smurfette has become part of the Smurfs community. She did not have a role in that community like the rest of the Smurfs, except of "being always pretty".

As for Papa Smurf, he is the leader, the doctor, the judge, the savior, the wise, the one and only who keeps that community in harmony. The character of Papa Smurf made critics compare him to the ruler who rules his people forever, as it consolidates the idea of the only leader without whom the homeland will fall and the enemies will wreak havoc on it.
This matter is confirmed in one of the Smurf stories, when Papa Smurf had to travel outside the village for a bit of time, the Smurfs decided to conduct an election to find the right Smurf to replace him in his absence, the Smurfs found themselves facing a challenge to find a leader for the first time instead of the only leader they have known their entire lives.
The Smurfs candidates, raced to win the elections, and their political talents began to appear for the first time. An opportunistic and malicious Smurf managed to manipulate them and win the elections by promising them to give them what they like most.
However, as soon as he got the power, he immediately began to muzzle the Smurfs and exercise dictatorship over them. As a result, a fierce war began in the Smurfs village, which almost destroyed their community. But Papa Smurf came back just in time to save the situation.
The end result: It's either Papa Smurf or chaos, there is no alternative to the historical leader Papa Smurf, there is no need for democracy, as the only one capable of protecting the Smurfs and deterring Gargamel is only Papa Smurf.

Critics also consider Brainy Smurf representing the media in the dictatorial states, Which attempts to consolidate the beliefs and orientations of the ruling regime in the minds of the masses.

The Smurfs society is a calm and harmonious society, but it contains many characteristics of racism, masculinity and dictatorship. The writer may not have really wanted to deliver these negative messages, but they actually reach our subconscious sometimes we may not even notice.

In the end, I would like to note that this article aims only to criticize the negative thoughts and beliefs that can be sent between the lines, and that watching all the aforementioned works for the purpose of entertainment does not necessarily mean agreement and belief in the messages they send.

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