Pickles Brian Crane Analysis

In “Pickles,” a comic segment by author and illustrator Brian Crane, the stereotype and generalization of the older generation as forgetful is visited. Crane represents one primary social group - the elderly - through a comical and humorous way. He portrays the stereotype of senility by connecting it to the wife in the comic. Crane specifically addresses this stereotype by showing the wife’s confusion when she cannot find her husband. He proposes a simple, and often familiar, problem that is later resolved by her husband. The body language of the various characters is also illustrated in order to understand Crane’s intent throughout the piece, as well as how he portrays the two social groups, with hints at gender roles amidst the joke. Brian

Women that coincidentally meet each other in public places will usually begin talking, and to innocent bystanders, the conversation may seem never-ending. A gabfest is essentially the same thing: a talking convention. Men, however, do not typically behave the same way, as they are simpler when it comes to discussions. A simple “hello”, “followed by a how are you doing?” and then ending with a quick “see you” is more exemplary of how men would act when meeting someone they know. Although, depending on how well they know the person they could also talk for awhile, and the fact that the characters are old indicates that this is more likely to happen, because they probably do not have anything better to do. The woman then looks at her clock, indicating she has been there for a long time, and then accuses her husband of “...getting more forgetful every day.” This assertion only makes sense when the joke is revealed, which then allows for the reader to realize the irony of the situation. The clock also represents and symbolizes the old generation, regardless of gender as forgetful. In the concluding panel, the couples’ daughter asks the husband, who is seen conveniently laying on the couch reading the news, where her mom is. He responds by telling