Aired on May 1st, 1999, Spongebob Squarepants became a facet of culture still producing new episodes even today. While Americans have debated the messages of the yellow sponge for over a decade, he has come to hold a special place in the development of youth between the late 1990’s and present day America. Many people, however, do not know that the show’s creator based the seven main characters on the seven deadly sins of the Bible. A brief comparison between the show’s characters and the sins of Sloth, Gluttony, Greed, Envy, Wrath, Pride, and Lust show that Stephen Hillenburg, marine biologist turned animator, intended his show to reflect these deadly vices. More specifically, Patrick Star and Gary the Snail represent two sins often mistaken for the same vice.
Sloth can be defined as the sin of inaction or laziness. Patrick Star, perhaps the most recognizable starfish on the planet, personifies laziness so much as to earn an award for his laziness as seen in the episode, “Big Pink Loser”. He can be best described as a helpful playmate for Spongebob who never really achieves anything without his friends compulsion. Patrick Star provides comic relief, arguably the most humorous character, but at a terrible cost. His inactivity leads to dis-involvement from education to purpose of life. Even though his character is humorous, the show displays that without drive or action, ones life can reach a dreary stalemate. Thus, Hillenburg challenges his audience to reflect back on themselves, and re-access their own life desires and what one must do to achieve their goals.
The easiest way to personify the overindulgence involved with the sin of Gluttony is in regard to food. Gary, Spongebob’s pet snail, is a simple, yet effective projection of the evil involved with overindulgence. In the episode “Have You Seen This Snail?”, Gary runs away from Spongebob because he forgets to feed him. On his own, Gary finds a new owner he thinks will provide the best home he has ever had. In reality, she is feeding Gary so much food causing him to overlook the signs that she eats snails. He eventually escapes and finds his way back to Spongebob. Gary shows the audience that tunnel vision, whether one is focusing on food or other aspects of life, can cause oneself to overlook important details.
Both Patrick Star and Gary are powerful symbols that remind the cartoon’s audience, whether a child or a parent, to remain vigilant. It reminds them to neither become heavily involved in something to the point where that prevents good judgment, nor to become so detached as to lose a purpose in the world.