Apu: Springfield's Intro to Hinduism

In the episode “Homer the Heretic,” Springfield’s multifaith volunteer fire department mobilizes to save the Simpsons’ home--and Homer’s life. Reverend Lovejoy explains to Homer that God was working through his friends and neighbors, including a Christian like Ned Flanders and a Jew like Krusty.

But the minister comes up short when he points toward the other firefighter, Apu Nahaasapeemapetilon. After a nonplussed pause, the minister characterizes the convenience store operator’s religion as “miscellaneous.” This level of ignorance is too much for the normally mild-mannered Asian immigrant. Apu explodes: “Hindu! There are 700 million of us!” Corrected, Lovejoy replies with condescension, “Aw, that’s super.”

Despite a surge of immigration from the Indian subcontinent and a growing interest in beliefs outside the Judeo-Christian traditions, most Americans are as in the dark about Hinduism as Reverend Lovejoy. For residents of [Springfield], Apu Nahaasapeemapetilon is an introduction to Hinduism. "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening initially suggested that the operator of Kwik-E-Mart be Indian. “With Apu, that kind of character has not been seen on U.S. TV,” Groening told a British magazine. At first, writer-producer Al Jean told TV Guide, “we were worried he might be considered an offensive stereotype.” The character of Apu in the series was named for a trilogy of 1950s Indian films made by famed director Satjayit Ray. In one episode, a photo on the wall purported to be "The Simpsons" character’s father is similar to that of the actor who played Apu’s father in the Ray movie.

In many ways, the character is stereotypical of Asian immigrants to North America, and a model minority member. Born in Pakistan, Apu and his family migrated to Ramatpur in India, and later studied at the Calcutta Institute of Technology (“CalTech”), where he graduated at the top of his class of seven million. In the 1970s, he came to the United States on a student visa to do graduate study in computer programming at the Springfield Heights Institute of Technology (try the initials). During his nine years at the school, he took a job at the convenience store to pay off his student loans, a choice that evolved into a career. Apu often works 18 hours a day, seven days a week, and, on at least one occasion, worked 96 hours straight. He is frequently the victim of shoplifters and armed robbers.

Continued on page 2: Is Apu a good Hindu? »