Analysis

 Life of Crime

             The episode of Nickelodeon’s Spongebob Squarepants “Life of Crime” is argueing that borrowing without permission, and stealing are the same. The argument targets children, and uses an appeal to emotion through humor to deliver the message. The humor is there to entertain the audience, which distracts them from the main point. The entire middle portion of the episode is to entertain the audience, which has nothing to do with the argument.

This episode begins with Mr. Krabs’ explanation of borrowing after being asked multiple times by Spongebob and Patrick about certain random items of interest he has acquired in his restaurant. He explains to Spongebob and Patrick that, “You can borrow anything you want anytime as long as you get it back before it’s missed” (Life of Crime). Later that day Spongebob and Patrick are wondering what to do. Patrick notices a balloon stand, and decides he wants to play with a balloon that day. They don’t have any money though, so instead of borrowing the money they borrow the balloon without permission like Mr. Krabs says. After a short while the balloon pops, and Spongebob and Patrick realize they now cannot return the balloon. They are now thieves and go on the run away from Bikini Bottom. The guilt soon becomes too much to bear, so they turn themselves in. After being thrown in the slammer for all of two seconds they vow never again to borrow without permission because it is the same as stealing.   

            The writers state the argument unclearly in the beginning with Spongebob and Patrick pointing out a barrel that Mr. Krabs stole. “‘But Mr. Krabs what about all the things you stole. Like that barrel, it says property of Salty Sea Farms’ Spongebob says.

            ‘Oh that’s where I rent me pickels from’ Mr. Krabs replys.

            ‘So you’re renting the barrel too?’

            ‘Well no.’

            ‘Then you bought it.’

            ‘No’ Mr. Krabs says.

            ‘Then isn’t that stealing?’

‘Listen all that stuff is um borrowed’

‘Borrowed, oh that’s a relief I thought you took it without permission.’

‘Ah permission sparmission. You can borrow anything you want anytime as long as you get it back before it’s missed. Everyone knows that right?’

‘Okay.’ Spongebob and Patrick reply in unison” (Life of Crime). This dialogue between Spongebob, Patrick, and Mr. Krabs hints that borrowing without permission is the same as stealing when Mr. Krabs says, “Everyone knows that right”, in a sarcastic tone (Life of Crime). The argument was not clearly stated, which makes it ineffective. It was only hinted at through a sarcastic remark.

            When they realize that borrowing without permission is the same as stealing is when the balloon pops. Spongebob states, “We’ve popped the balloon. We can’t return it. We’re thieves” (Life of Crime). They realize the severity of their crime, and they start to freak out because they know what they have done is wrong. This may be humorous, but underneath all of the humor the audience knows that Spongebob and Patrick have done something wrong.  This is the second time the argument is presented unclearly because of the distracting humor.

The third and final time the argument is presented is in the ending when Spongebob says, “Let’s vow never to borrow anything without permission again” (Life of Crime). This is a clear statement that gets the point across, but it loses the attention when Patrick forgets he ate his lollipop and accuses everyone around him. ““Alright which one of you flatfoots stole my lollipop?” A pause “I mean it”” (Life of Crime). This dialogue steals all the attention from the main point at the end. This leaves yet again another ineffective argument behind in the wake of the humor wave.

For most of the episode the writers will have Spongebob and Patrick do random things that have nothing to do with the main point. For example, the scene with the chocolate bars has no meaning towards borrowing without permission. “Spongebob says, ‘Look what I’ve got!’

‘Rectangles!’ Patrick exclaims.

‘Not just any rectangles, candy bars.’

“Oh.” Patrick is amazed at the candy bars.

‘All we have to do is make them last for the rest of our lives.’

‘Thanks Spongebob I think I’ll eat it now.’ Patrick devours the entire candy bar, and pauses. ‘I think I’ll eat it now.’ He bites his hand because he forgot he already ate his candy bar. He franticly searches for his candy bar when he notices Spongebob’s candy bar, and accuses him of stealing the candy bar. ‘You took my only food, now I’m gunna starve’” (Life of Crime). This dialogue is strictly just for entertainment, and has no bearing on the argument. The humor keeps the audience enticed, but distracts them from the issue at hand as well. Several more notable instances distract the audience from the main issue. For example, when Spongebob and Patrick are fleeing the scene of the crime Spongebob says, “‘we’ve got to move fast and cover our tracks.’

‘I’m on it Spongebob’, and Patrick covers their tracks with a red paint” (Life of Crime).

The argument, borrowing without permission is the same as stealing and is wrong, is not effective because of the humorous distractions that have nothing to do with the main argument, and the unclear argument statements clouded by humor. The audience is too distracted by the humorous details that they miss the statements by the characters that stealing and borrowing without permission is wrong.

Works Cited

“Life of Crime.” Spongebob Squarepants. Actor. Tom Kenny. Actor. Rodger Bumpass. Nickelodeon. Nickelodeon HD, Hollywood, 5 May 2001. Television.