Editing Bart Simpson (section)

=== Personality ===
Bart's disregard for authority has been compared to [[Founding Fathers of the United States|America's founding fathers]], and been described as a modern fusion of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Cantor|first=P.|title=''The Simpsons'': Atomistic Politics and the Nuclear Family|journal=[[Political Theory (journal)|Political Theory]]|volume=27|issue=6|pages=734–749|date=December 1999|doi=10.1177/0090591799027006002|jstor=192244|s2cid=143998133|issn=0090-5917}}</ref> In his book ''[[Planet Simpson]]'', [[Chris Turner (author)|Chris Turner]] characterizes Bart as a [[nihilist]] who has the philosophical view that life lacks inherent meaning, purpose, or [[Intrinsic value (ethics)|value]].{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=124}} Bart's rebellious nature makes him disruptive at Springfield Elementary School, where he identifies as an underachiever.{{sfn|Lee|2012|p=132}}<ref name="l059">{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Gus | title=Brilliant, and We Saw You Do it All, Bart | website=[[Irish Independent]] | date=1 July 2000 | url=https://www.independent.ie/news/brilliant-and-we-saw-you-do-it-all-bart/26255347.html | access-date=14 December 2024 | archive-date=December 20, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220035228/https://www.independent.ie/news/brilliant-and-we-saw-you-do-it-all-bart/26255347.html | url-status=live }}</ref> He frequently clashes with his teacher, Ms. Krabappel, and [[Principal Skinner]].<ref name="z888">{{cite web | last=Heritage | first=Stuart | title=Marcia Wallace: Edna Krabappel's Best ''Simpsons'' Episodes | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=October 28, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214110504/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/28/marcia-wallace-edna-krabappel-best-simpsons-episodes | archive-date=December 14, 2024 | url-status=live | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/28/marcia-wallace-edna-krabappel-best-simpsons-episodes | access-date=December 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name="o292">{{cite web | last=Littlechild | first=Chris | title=''The Simpsons'': 10 Worst Things Bart Ever Did To Principal Skinner | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=November 29, 2019 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-worst-things-bart-simpson-did-principal-skinner-tv-show/ | access-date=December 14, 2024 | archive-date=August 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818171245/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-worst-things-bart-simpson-did-principal-skinner-tv-show/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Bart acknowledges his poor performance at school: "I am dumb, okay? Dumb as a post! Think I'm happy about it?"{{sfn|Brown|Logan|2009|p=128}} Much like his father, his mental processes are often illogical and absurd;<ref name="f142">{{cite web | last=Gunning | first=Cathal | title=''The Simpsons'' Just Retconned Bart's Controversial Origin Story | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=May 10, 2022 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-season-33-retcon-bart-stupidity-gene-why-explained/ | access-date=December 14, 2024 | archive-date=May 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531162725/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-season-33-retcon-bart-stupidity-gene-why-explained/ | url-status=live }}</ref> he once believed that if he reincarnated as a butterfly, he could burn the school down without suspicion, imagining he could hold a gas can as a butterfly.<ref>{{cite episode|title='Round Springfield|episode-link='Round Springfield|series=The Simpsons|credits=Stern, Joshua; Ventimilia, Jeffrey|network=Fox|airdate=April 30, 1995|season=6|number=22}}</ref> Bart thinks that writing his name in wet cement will leave people wondering how he did it in hardened cement.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Lemon of Troy|episode-link=Lemon of Troy|series=The Simpsons|credits=[[Brent Forrester|Forrester, Brent]]|network=Fox|airdate=May 14, 1995|season=6|number=24}}</ref> "[[Brother's Little Helper]]" ([[The Simpsons season 11|season eleven]], 1999) reveals that Bart has [[attention deficit disorder]].<ref name="r841">{{cite magazine | last=Madarang | first=Charisma | title=150 Best ''Simpsons'' Episodes of All Time | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=December 17, 2019 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/springfield-of-dreams-150-best-simpsons-episodes-229356/12/ | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=December 19, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219134324/https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/springfield-of-dreams-150-best-simpsons-episodes-229356/12/ | url-status=live }}</ref> His intelligence may be impacted by the hereditary "[[Simpson gene]]", which affects males in his family.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Lisa the Simpson|episode-link=Lisa the Simpson|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|credits=[[Ned Goldreyer|Goldreyer, Ned]]; Dietter, Susie|network=Fox|airdate=March 8, 1998|season=09|number=17}}</ref> Despite his misbehavior and selfishness, he has moments of integrity and compassion and occasionally helps Ms. Krabappel and Principal Skinner.<ref name="Confidential">{{cite episode|title=Grade School Confidential|episode-link=Grade School Confidential|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|credits=[[Bill Oakley|Pulido, Rachel]]; [[Susie Dietter|Dietter, Susie]]|network=Fox|airdate=April 6, 1997|season=08|number=19}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song|episode-link=Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|credits=[[Bill Oakley|Oakley, Bill]]; [[Josh Weinstein|Weinstein, Josh]]; [[Bob Anderson (director)|Anderson, Bob]]|network=Fox|airdate=April 28, 1994|season=05|number=19}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=Bart is a really good boy. He's just mischievous. He's not bad, like characters who followed him such as [[Eric Cartman|[Eric] Cartman]] (''[[South Park]]'') or [[Beavis]] and [[Butt-head|Butthead]]. Bart can do some nasty things, but they seem so tame, by today's standards. What was shocking 19 years ago, when the show started, isn't the least bit shocking today. Bart hasn't changed.|author=—&nbsp;[[Nancy Cartwright]]<ref name=Sentinel>{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/movies/orl-ent-cartwright072507,0,318783.story|title=Nancy Cartwright, Voice of Bart Simpson, Has Personal Theme: ''Simpsons'' Forever|access-date=September 13, 2008|date=July 25, 2007|last=Moore|first=Roger|work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015162851/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/movies/orl-ent-cartwright072507%2C0%2C318783.story|archive-date=15 October 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Bart's mischievous nature and Homer's often-negligent, incompetent behavior create a turbulent, volatile, and abusive relationship between them.<ref name="r756">{{cite web | last=Heritage | first=Stuart | title=Homer Has Stopped Strangling Bart in ''The Simpsons'' and it's About Time | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=November 7, 2023 |archive-date=December 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220032316/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/07/homer-strangle-bart-simpsons | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/07/homer-strangle-bart-simpsons | access-date=December 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="u412"/> Bart frequently calls Homer by his first name rather than "Dad",{{sfn|Jackson|Moshin|2013|p=184}} and Homer often refers to him dismissively as "the boy".<ref name="p862">{{cite web | last=Deb | first=Sopan | title=Is Homer Simpson a Good Dad Now? | website=[[The New York Times]] | url-access=subscription | date=November 7, 2023 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/07/arts/television/homer-simpson-bart-strangle.html | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=November 20, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120192517/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/07/arts/television/homer-simpson-bart-strangle.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="c582">{{cite web | title=Ever Wonder What an Interview with Homer Simpson Will Be Like? Read on | website=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=September 26, 2014 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/ever-wonder-what-an-interview-with-homer-simpson-will-be-like-read-on/story-4pQublmzHDc33btEldCeBM.html | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=February 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215075554/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/ever-wonder-what-an-interview-with-homer-simpson-will-be-like-read-on/story-4pQublmzHDc33btEldCeBM.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Homer's short temper leads to cartoonishly-violent outbursts, such as impulsively [[Strangulation in domestic violence|strangling]] Bart.<ref name="u941">{{cite web | last1=Andersson | first1=Eric | last2=Jackson | first2=Dory | title=Homer Will Continue to Strangle Bart on ''The Simpsons'', Says Co-Creator: 'Nothing's Changing' (Exclusive) | website=[[People (magazine)|People]] | date=November 12, 2023 | url=https://people.com/homer-continue-strangle-bart-the-simpsons-says-co-creator-exclusive-8400789 | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=December 19, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219084852/https://people.com/homer-continue-strangle-bart-the-simpsons-says-co-creator-exclusive-8400789 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="o514">{{cite web | last=Gornael | first=J.S. | title=The 10 Best Homer Episodes in ''The Simpsons'', Ranked | website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] | date=November 26, 2023 | url=https://collider.com/the-simpsons-best-homer-episodes-ranked/ | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=August 16, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816012729/https://collider.com/the-simpsons-best-homer-episodes-ranked/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Marge is the more caring, understanding and nurturing parent,<ref name="o164">{{cite web | last1=Century | first1=Sara | last2=Gantt | first2=Kareem | title=''The Simpsons'' 13 Funniest Christmas Specials, Ranked | website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] | date=December 9, 2021 | url=https://collider.com/the-simpsons-christmas-specials-funniest-ranked/ | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=December 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208213150/https://collider.com/the-simpsons-christmas-specials-funniest-ranked/ | url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Evans|2017|p=79}} although she acknowledges that Bart is "a handful"{{sfn|Brown|Logan|2009|p=18}} and is often embarrassed by his antics.<ref name="Defined">{{cite episode|title=Homer Defined|episode-link=Homer Defined|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|credits=[[Howard Gewirtz|Gewirtz, Howard]]; Kirkland, Mark|network=Fox|airdate=October 17, 1991|season=03|number=05}}</ref> In the episode "[[Marge Be Not Proud]]" ([[The Simpsons season 7|season seven]], 1995), Marge struggles with adjusting her parenting style after Bart is caught [[shoplifting]]; she becomes more distant to avoid over-mothering, which causes Bart to feel guilty and try to make amends.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Marge Be Not Proud|episode-link=Marge Be Not Proud|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|credits=Scully, Mike; [[Steven Dean Moore|Moore, Steven Dean]]|network=Fox|airdate=December 17, 1995|season=07|number=11}}</ref> Despite his rebellious attitude, Bart occasionally endures humiliation to please his mother.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Marge's Son Poisoning|episode-link=Marge's Son Poisoning|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|credits=[[Daniel Chun|Chun, Daniel]]; Anderson, Mike B.|network=Fox|airdate=November 13, 2005|season=17|number=05}}</ref> Marge frequently defends him, understanding his complexity.<ref name="u412">{{cite web | last=Sherlock | first=Ben | title=''The Simpsons'': 10 Bart And Marge Moments That Broke Our Hearts | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=August 22, 2019 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-bart-marge-moments-broke-hearts/ | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=October 29, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029183916/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-bart-marge-moments-broke-hearts/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="d796">{{cite web | last=Sherlock | first=Ben | title=10 ''The Simpsons'' Episodes That Went Too Far | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=July 3, 2023 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-storylines-jokes-went-too-far/ | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=July 29, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729003949/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-storylines-jokes-went-too-far/ | url-status=live }}</ref> She describes him as her "special little guy",{{sfn|Sanders|2009|p=144}} saying, "I know Bart can be a handful, but I also know what he's like inside. He's got a spark. It's not a bad thing{{nbsp}}[...] of course, it makes him do bad things".<ref name="Defined"/>

Bart shares [[sibling rivalry]] with his younger sister, Lisa.<ref name="r151">{{cite web | last=Sherlock | first=Ben | title=''The Simpsons'': 10 Best Bart & Lisa Episodes | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=April 26, 2021 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-most-memorable-bart-lisa-episodes/ | access-date=December 19, 2024 | archive-date=August 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804121108/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-most-memorable-bart-lisa-episodes/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Although they often disagree—sometimes physically—they have a deep bond and care for one another.<ref name="r151"/> Bart often apologizes when he goes too far and recognizes Lisa's superior intellect, frequently seeking her advice about problems.<ref name="First Word">{{cite episode|title=Lisa's First Word|episode-link=Lisa's First Word|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|credits=Martin, Jeff; Kirkland, Mark|network=Fox|airdate=December 3, 1992|season=04|number=10}}</ref><ref name="Duffless">{{cite episode|title=Duffless|episode-link=Duffless|series=The Simpsons|credits=Stern, David M.; Reardon, Jim|network=Fox|airdate=February 18, 1993|season=04|number=16}}</ref> He is a popular "[[wiktionary:cool kid|cool kid]]" at school,<ref name="Summer">{{cite episode|title=Summer of 4 Ft. 2|episode-link=Summer of 4 Ft. 2|series=The Simpsons|series-link=The Simpsons|credits=[[Dan Greaney|Greaney, Dan]]; Kirkland, Mark|network=Fox|airdate=May 19, 1996|season=07|number=25}}</ref> and has many friends;<ref name="z099">{{cite web | last=Peeke | first=Dan | title=''The Simpsons'': 5 Reasons Bart Was The Best Main Character (& 5 Reasons It Was Homer) | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=June 29, 2020 | url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-bart-homer-best-main-character/ | access-date=December 19, 2024 | archive-date=April 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404161918/https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-bart-homer-best-main-character/ | url-status=live }}</ref> his closest is [[Milhouse Van Houten]].<ref name="h244">{{cite web | last=Sanders | first=Hank | title=Pamela Hayden, the Voice of Bart's Friend Milhouse, Retires From ''The Simpsons'' | website=[[The New York Times]] | url-access=subscription | date=November 21, 2024 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/arts/television/pamela-hayden-retires-simpsons-milhouse-voice.html | access-date=December 19, 2024}}</ref> His influence on Milhouse is often negative, leading them into mischief.<ref name="p387">{{cite web | last=Banks | first=Kayleigh | title=''The Simpsons'': 5 Times Bart Was A Terrible Friend To Milhouse (& 5 Times He Was Great) | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=July 16, 2020 | url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-bart-good-bad-friend-to-milhouse/ | access-date=December 19, 2024 | archive-date=May 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515103056/https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-bart-good-bad-friend-to-milhouse/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In "[[Homer Defined]]" ([[The Simpsons season 3|season three]], 1991), [[Luann Van Houten|Milhouse's mother]] forbids him from playing with Bart due to his bad influence; Bart is unfazed until he realizes how much he values their friendship, and Marge convinces Mrs. Van Houten to reconsider.<ref name="Defined"/>

Bart is a fan of the children's television host [[Krusty the Clown]], and has stated that "I've based my whole life on Krusty's teachings"; his room is filled with Krusty merchandise.{{sfn|Alberti|2004|p=12}}<ref name="KGB">{{cite episode |title=Krusty Gets Busted |episode-link=Krusty Gets Busted |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons |credits=Kogen, Jay; Wolodarsky, Wallace; Bird, Brad |network=Fox |airdate=1990-04-29 |season=1 |number=12}}</ref> Bart helps Krusty a number of times, thwarting [[Sideshow Bob]]'s attempt to frame Krusty for armed robbery in "[[Krusty Gets Busted]]" (season one, 1990),<ref name="KGB"/> reuniting Krusty with his estranged father in "[[Like Father, Like Clown]]",<ref name="LFLC">{{cite episode|title=Like Father, Like Clown|episode-link=Like Father, Like Clown|series=The Simpsons|credits=[[Jay Kogen|Kogen, Jay]]; [[Wallace Wolodarsky|Wolodarsky, Wallace]]; [[Brad Bird|Bird, Brad]]; Lynch, Jeffrey|network=Fox|airdate=October 4, 1991|season=3|number=6}}</ref> and helping Krusty relaunch his career with a comeback special in "[[Krusty Gets Kancelled]]".<ref name="KGK">{{cite episode|title=Krusty Gets Kancelled|episode-link=Krusty Gets Kancelled|series=The Simpsons|credits=Swartzwelder, John; Silverman, David|network=Fox|airdate=May 13, 1993|season=04|number=22}}</ref> Bart's initial confrontation with Sideshow Bob in "Krusty Gets Busted" sparks a long-term rivalry. The writers developed Bob as an intelligent, obsessive antagonist, inspired by the dynamic between [[Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner]].<ref name="JeanBW">{{cite news|last=Jean|first=Al|date=2003|title=Commentary for "[[Black Widower]]", In ''The Simpsons: The Complete Eighth Season''|publisher=[[20th Century Home Entertainment]]}}</ref>