The Philosophy of Popeye

I was the first in my family who was part of the original TV generation. We got our set in 1954 and I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to get home from school to watch cartoons. Saturday morning was even better for viewing the animation shorts.

One of my favourite cartoons was Popeye. It still is. There is not much to like about him.

• He isn’t very handsome at all. His head looks like a butternut squash. His arms and legs are terribly out of proportion.
• His girlfriend is no beauty. Olive Oyl isn’t that faithful, either, often giving her attention to Popeye’s rival, Bluto.
• He smokes. Even worse, he likes spinach.
• He isn’t well-educated, and doesn’t speak English very well.
• He doesn’t come from a very nice family.
• He isn’t wealthy.
• He doesn’t have a very high-profile job. He is a sailor, not the captain or admiral, just an everyday sailor. In fact, in most of the cartoons, I don’t think he is even on a boat.

Yet he is so well-loved. Fascist Italy tried to ban all American comic strips during the Second World War. The outcry for Popeye was so great, an exception had to be made.

What makes him so popular?

Unlike many of those who dominate our media today, it is not what he is that endears him to millions. It is who he is.

Popeye is an honest guy who fights against evil. His character is pure. He doesn’t usually start fights, he ends them.

What I like most about Popeye is his philosophy for life. “I yam what I yam and that’s all that I yam.” This is not so original. When Moses asked God his name, the answer was, “I am that I am,” or “I shall be that I shall be,” which doesn’t make any more sense.

In Popeye’s version it tells me that spite of all that isn’t right in his life, he accepts himself. He is at peace with himself.

Peace and love ... rather than looking for peace in the world and love in your life, perhaps it is better to find peace in your life and love in the world.

Well, “blow me down!” What would happen in our world if we all were able to accept ourselves instead of trying to be what we never have a hope of achieving? When we learn to accept ourselves the way we are, we often learn to accept others the way they are, too.

I’m not suggesting that we don’t try to improve and live life to the fullest. It is more of accepting yourself as being something valuable in this world in spite of the fact that you are not perfect.

“I yam what I yam and that’s all that I yam.” It doesn't say very much, yet is says everything.