SpongeBob Squarepants: Kids TV Show Representing the Seven Deadly Sins

By Lucy Glerum

SpongeBob Squarepants: Kids TV Show Representing the Seven Deadly Sins? From the giggly sponge and a dumbfounded starfish to the seven deadly flaws within humanity, Spongebob Squarepants has provided many children with entertainment and laughter over the years it has aired. As a child I loved watching cartoons; the comical series was a highlight of my childhood. Recently I came across an alarming conspiracy involving the popular show. The conspiracy claims that this bubbly kids' shows represent something very dark and hefty for a kid's audience.

The conspiracy uses Spongebob Squarepants as a direct relationship between the seven deadly sins: lust, sloth, pride, wrath, gluttony, envy, and greed. Each character in this kid series claims to represent each sin. For example, Patrick represents sloth in the show; avoiding responsibility, he puts minimal effort into almost every task he performs. At one point in the show he is even seen to have won a trophy for "doing nothing." Another example of this claim shows Mr. Krabs representing greed. Mr. Krabs intensely pursues and desires material possessions such as money. In the show, Mr. Krabs is shown to put Spongebob and Squidward's lives at risk to attain his "need" for money.

I initially encountered this conspiracy through a friend who had heard it from another friend- essentially through the grapevine. Sparking my curiosity, I googled the conspiracy to see any verification behind the idea. It is unclear where the conspiracy originated from, many have commented on the creepy correlation. One example I found is from a YouTube video made by the account Made2Express. The user narrates the correlation with examples from the show itself. They describe how each character represents these sins through silly skits while explaining the seven deadly sins in depth.

While I can understand why viewers consider this perspective, it is far-fetched. In great desire and need, it is human nature to make mistakes and to sin. In kids' TV, it is typical to see plots where character development can occur by showing growth beyond the errors or the lack of judgment a character shows. It makes complete sense for writers to create story lines where each character shows flaws. Every character in the series may have prominent flaws, but they are not the only flaws or sins they show. For example, Squidward is shown to represent wrath. Squidward becomes exceedingly angry, living a very hateful life. He shows many outbursts and forms of self-pity. But Squidward doesn't just show this one singular flaw throughout the series.

Squidward also represents lust in the show. When Squidward pursues a career as a musician he craves attention and validation from groups of people due to his talent. He desires to be seen as the best and feel immensely loved by everyone. In the novel lust written by Simon Blackburn, Blackburn describes lust as a "self-pursuing act of gratification" (Blackburn 6) and "impatience" leading with desire. Lust is further defined as a foolish approach to capturing love when it is genuinely only "surface level" after all. With that being said, Blackburn unveils another "sin" Squidward withholds. This reveals that, just like anyone else, Squidward is simply flawed. Just because certain flaws are shown in this series doesn't mean the writer is "shedding light" on the representation of the seven deadly sins.

This conspiracy is deeply rooted in one's insecurity. In childhood, making mistakes and understanding that we as humans are flawed and imperfect can become a tough pill to swallow, especially as you become older and feel the weight of comparison- it makes complete sense for a viewer to find comfort in a favorite cartoon character showing the same imperfections. This idea/conspiracy creates a sense of fitting in with the flaws oneself, and feeling better about personal mistakes and faults. Seeing someone or something you love possessing a flaw makes us imperfect people feel more at ease with our flaws.

Various claims and speculations swarm the internet daily. The second you investigate one they gain more power and more validity. The internet loves gifting popularity to anyone with a juicy enough theory. The worldwide web can be used as a modern-day game of telephone, if someone is not careful. Understanding this, it is essential to remember not to believe every single claim you may read and every rumor your best friend might share with you. Conspiracy theories originate from groups of skeptics and those willing to listen to those skeptics. Vulnerability and curiosity go hand-in-hand with believing in a thought, and then creating it as a part of reality. It is a selfish human desire to be a part of something or to gain some new perspective that no one else has that leaves society mindlessly following wild theories and faithfully living out ridiculous beliefs due to fear.

Although living within the comfort and recognition of not being alone with faults and imperfections is relieving, the idea that a kid's cartoon represents the seven deadly sins lies within flawed perception and deep-rooted insecurity-simply put, if you look for evil you will find it. Spongebob Squarepants is a kid's comedy that depicts a bubbly, happy-go-lucky sponge living underwater with friends. The show creates a plot and obvious character development for children to learn and grow from silly situations. This conspiracy theory is intriguing and makes you wonder, but it doesn't hold any substantial truth.

Blackburn, Simon. Lust (Seven Deadly Sins). New York Public Library; Oxford University Press, Pg 6. 2004. http: site.ebrary.com/id/10266482

Bible.info. "What Are the Seven Deadly Sins?" What Are the Seven Deadly Sins? www.bibleinfo.com/en/guestions/what-are-seven-deadly-sins. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024

"Seven Deadly Sins" Britannica School, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10, Oct. 2023. school/eb.com/levels/high/article/seven-deadly-sins/487312. Accessed 4 April.2024

"The '7 Deadly Sins' SpongeBob Conspiracy Theory Fully Explained & Analyzed." YouTube, 2 Jan. 2022, youtu.be/orFOBsh5Tco?si=wZhz8UnXBe4eL82z.