Bewitched was very heavy on symbolism and the original show's scripts were inspired work, much as the first Star Trek series was inspired.
Although the marriage of a witch and a mortal symbolized the marriage of a free spirit to societal conformity, there also existed the underlying message that there was a balance between conformity and free-spirit that was best for all.
Sabrina was the example of too much free-spirit and how it corrupts - much as liberalism taken too far always corrupts.
Gladys Kravitz performed a unique role as the voice of societal disapproval and mortal frailty. Her witnessing witchcraft yet being considered the kook in her own neighborhood was the symbolic punishment for her not minding her own business. Her perpetual peeking out of the curtains or looking over the fence was punished by a husband who treated her like she didn't exist and was out of her mind.
The show was unconsciously mirroring social changes of the era in a less self-conscious fashion than some shows.
The show is also testimony to the prevalence of alcohol in the home and how it was used as an escape mechanism for everything.
"Get me a drink, Sam...better make it a double."
Or Darrin being drunk and tellign his tales of woe to the bartender who listened:
"My wife's a witch."
"Yeah pal...I know what you mean. My wife's a witch too."
"No. You don't understand....she's really a witch."
The bartender's disbelief was a mirror of Abner not believing Gladys. Another example of society failing to recognize the truth. Darrin's alcoholism (although undeclared and not intended by the writers) and betrayal of Samantha was symbolically being punished by disbelief. This has echoes of the Gods punishing one of the oracles at Delphi whose prophecies would be perfectly true and accurate, but never believed.
The Mother-in-law, Endora and her divorced husband were a symbol of liberalism and its own conformity. Divorce was not scandalous but it showed that freedom to do whatever one wants doesn't always lead to happiness. That Samantha is always happier than her mother is proof that the balance between conformity and free-spirited attitudes is the best path.
Endora always criticizing Samantha when she would do things a mortal way was the reverse prejudice of liberals against conservative behavior. That Endora's plots would fail and bring the two closer together was proof of the balanced course being the correct one.
Well that's enough analysis for the night.
Needless to say, Lindy is not exactly a conformist and is not a good one to compare to Gladys Kravitz.
Both of you would be stirring the pots...
;-)
Wait, that's what I'm doing with that last line...
SDAI-Tech1
Flame » in reply to A fictional character
Bewitched - one of the great shows.
