Popeye the Sailor is a muscular American cartoon fictional character created by Elzie Crisler Segar. The character first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre on January 17, 1929, and Popeye became the strip’s title in later years. Popeye has also appeared in theatrical and television animated cartoons.
Nearly 100 years later, Popeye is still relevant mostly due to the nostalgia factor & the growth of social media. Almost everyone from the ‘pre-millennial era’ watched and loved this fascinating cartoon. Today, I want to share 8 things you could learn from this animated series.
- Appearances Can Be Deceiving – At first glance, Popeye appears to be quite a rough man. One wouldn’t assume that he’s in possession of exceptional faculties, but that assumption is proven wrong by his ability to suss out a situation in no time. He wins despite not having the overhyped X-Factor just because of his sheer honesty and dedication. Don’t let your appearance turn you insecure.
- Stars Can Come From Humble Beginnings – Though he went on to become the most popular cartoon character of his era and even to be the only cartoon character whose birthday was commemorated by the Empire State Building, Popeye began life as a small supporting character in a comic strip.
- Healthy Diet Makes a Huge Difference – The iconic image of Popeye hogging a can of spinach in order to achieve super power is so ingrained in the collective cultural consciousness that the two are almost impossible to separate. The importance of a healthy diet is emphasized to young audiences of Popeye cartoons. A proper diet can save you from stomach burns while you are at work. This can help you freshen your mood and concentrate better in life.
- Love has no Boundaries – Despite Olive Oyl’s fickle tendencies, Popeye’s love for her inspires him to always come to her rescue. There’s very little that Popeye wouldn’t do for her, which provides a great example of loyalty to kids. Plus, Olive is taller than Popeye in the cartoon. Technically, the world laughs at such couples however, a confident man will never turn paranoid in this situation. Stop laughing at unique couples. Love is supreme.
- Tough Guys Can Make Great Parents – After receiving an infant Swee’Pea in the mail, Popeye proves to be a devoted adoptive parent. This incredible example of single fatherhood and adoptive parents was far ahead of its time, and is still relevant with modern families. Stay tough mentally and your leadership worries would never affect your children.
- True Leaders Use Their Powers To Make a Difference – Whether he’s supporting war efforts or spinach farmers, Popeye the Sailor never hesitates to lend his strong helping hand to those in need, making him a great role model for youngsters. As a leader you must use your strength to benefit your office, your neighborhood, your city and this world. Always focus on the bigger picture.
- Patriotism is a Sign of Strong Moral Fiber – Popeye’s victories are often celebrated with patriotic songs and displays; additionally, he was heavily featured in shorts supporting war efforts during World War II. Proudly exhibiting such patriotic leanings is another of the lessons leaders absorb from Popeye. Never harm your nation. Your nation is the place where you took baby steps towards life. Hold on to your roots.
- Guys With Toned Bodies Can Still Have Big Hearts – While famous assumption is that muscle-bound men are tough guys with rough leanings, Popeye is a great example that making such generalizations can be absolutely wrong. Stop generalising things and never judge a person before knowing him/her properly.
What did you learn from this cartoon? Share in the comments below.
