Garfield's imperviousness to abuse in the second panel lets us know something is "up", and then points out one of those funny rules life. That cheese is to mice as coffee is to humans, and, er, cats (and comics bloggers) is not the most crucial point. There are times in life we will forgive, or at least overlook, personal insults, short tempers, and general bad behavior, and one of them is excusing grumpiness in people who haven't had a cup of coffee. This grace period for manners is actually nice, and I wouldn't imply it is a hypocritical standard or anything; it's just funny. Garfield forgives the mouse for being rude out of a common courtesy, and explains this to us. Garfield feels no need, however, to explain why he regularly allows the far more outrageous lapse of manners toward his housemates, of allowing vermin to cavort around the house, and in fact encourages the mice to steal food. Lest we think Garfield is being too soft letting a mouse call him "Fatso," do not lose sight of the larger discourtesy he commits in the process.
4 comments:
This is another one that would be much more intriguing with all the thought balloons removed.
So, are we to assume that the grouchy mouse is missing from the third panel because he has walked away, or because Garfield--in a rare display of actual feline behavior--ate him? I think the latter makes Garfield's final line that much funnier, but maybe that's just me.
Incidentally, it's a courtesy which Garfield has commented on and bemoaned the lack of in the past: (http://garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1981-ga810730).
OK, and what the hell is it with the huge feet in this comic strip? That mouse's feet are longer than his actual legs. Odie's feet aren't like that, are they? Why is it limited to Garfield and mice?
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