Jerome Seinfeld - A Short Treatise

Seinfeld the series was born in the late 80s and grew up during the 90's. Sad to say, Jerry did not. Jerry was the embodiment of the 80s 'me' mentality. Jerry's motivations are rarely if ever altruistic; even when he buys his father a new car, he does it to be 'the good son'. His only serious relationship (or so it appears) falters because in a rare moment of insight, Jerry realizes he has projected himself into his fiance. Some part of him realizes his dichotomy; narcissism *and* self-loathing...he only 'loves' her because she is so much like him, but then he dislikes her for the same reason. Jerry is not demonstrable in his affection....well OK there was the 'smoochy' episode...but towards his friends and immediate family, there is a definite reluctance to embrace.

His redeeming feature is his generosity. He allows the freeloaders to come and go as they please though his apartment, eating his food and borrowing his property...knowing full well that he probably won't see it again. When George and Kramer in different episodes effectively destroy his car, his attitude is initial grief and almost immediate acceptance.

Of all the Seinfeld characters, Jerry himself is the one I find most difficult to like. Jerry himself would probably not be bothered by this opinion at all...he's not taking any more applications for new friends, is he? ;>

Peter

On Fri, 19 Oct 2001 08:22:48 +0800, "Peter G Dellys" wrote:

(Yes, in the quartet of human literary characteristics, Jerry is The Tin Man/Spock/ - no heart/no emotion. What you say is true but there is also so much more. Each of the characters is so completely well developed and consistent (up to years 8/9 where they do go off the tracks)

I thought the greatest scene that foreshadows Jerry's character was in Monks when Mr. Sanger is telling Elaine and Jerry about Donald. His poor little Bubble Boy. As the father and Elaine reach for a serviette to wipe away a tear, Jerry reaches for one to wipe a crumb from his mouth.

Also remember Jerry gave money to Kramer's fraudulant charity in order to impress Elaine on their first date so she would "jump into bed with him", not because he really cared about the poor Krakatoains.

Don't forget his reluctance to "kiss hello", or his indifference to Genice's crying, and all his unemotional rules for relationship breakups, Not to mention the money he gives Elaine for her birthday instead of any thoughtful or emotional gift.

But that may be his only method of acquiring companionship of any kind.

As a comedian (also as in real life) he has to be an "outsider". Jerry is an observer of human interaction not so much a participant. He loaths so many of Kramer's characteristics, looks down on George, and spends time with Elaine in a relationship that is going nowhere.

That again plays to his cold, unemotional side. He can't show negative or positive emotion - just a calm detatched attitude to all that happens around him. Other people win and lose and he "comes out even".

The News Guy(Mike) writes:

Monks

Bubble

Jerry

But in that scene the female is barely controlling a laugh. I have never been able to figure out who is laughing. Is it Elaine the character or Julia the actress? But just a super scene in any event. The whole episode is in my top ten.

Who am I, your thesis advisor?

bjb

Peter G Dellys wrote:

wrote in message news:[email]...

There is a difference between a treatise and a thesis. If you were my advisor, you would know that....ergo you cannot be my advisor.

Does that clear the confusion for you?

Peter

What it confirms is your lack of humour.

bjb

wrote in message news:[email]...

If I missed something, do tell. I'm not afraid to admit when I'm wrong.

Peter

I was just joking. The whole pseudo-Freudian Marxist analysis of my joke was a bit much IMHO. In the end it doesn't matter.

bjb

Peter G Dellys wrote:

Interesting.

Regardless of his lack of depth in the emotion department, I find his character somewhat comforting for some reason. I think his ability to not get stressed (unless, of course, he lives as Kramer for a day ;) ) is something I admire. He is cold, but he's funny and never worried about anything and that's why I like him. I'd love to go through life dating all of those beautiful women, not getting too attached, making witty comments, and just being plain relaxed. I do imagine it would be a pretty hollow life though! :)

Rob

And that was clearly one of the main points of his satirical vision...that his generation was, and would always be, self-absorbed and shallow. He used that particular observation as the focal point of his humor, a reference point for the audience to use in understanding ALL his characters. In real life, of course, Jerry's a lot different (TV Jerry would never be a married guy with a kid, for one thing). But he wasn't afraid to use some of his own quirks and foibles, and poke fun at himself, as a base for his TV humor. It was influenced a lot by the kind of humor Jack Benny brought to TV in the 50s and 60s, only brought up to date. (He's cited Benny and George Burns among his sources and influences, along with Bill Cosbyand Alan King.)

Bob Smith, afternoons WXXI-AM 1370, Rochester NY