Thinkin' on your stomach.

Why?

Because its not often that you come across a strip that activates your greys and gives you the laughs at the same time. Calvin and Hobbes represent something much more than what the Outer Eye (aye! abstract alert!) perceives. The central characters need to be analysed. Sheesh, I thought I'd abandoned dichotomies and character sketches in my twelfth.

Calvin: Left-winger, anti-establishment, chauvinist, egocentric, creatively mad-scientist types, artist and great philosopher. Calvin symbolizes the perfect example of ideological and intellectual conflict within society. The leftist ideology categorization has nothing to do with my alleged bias towards the same; in fact, many CnH critics say that Calvin is a consistent jab at the armchair Communists who are as equally incompetent as the other humans Bill Waterson potrays in the strip. They also suggest that Bill is more critical at Commies for hypocrisy. I dont believe so. Unfortunately, I cannot substantiate that proposition by pasting any strip here..Nonetheless, the intent is serious. As to how Calvin is anti-establishment, refer to any session in Miss Wormwood's class. Chauvinist - Anti-Susie Campaign, G.R.O.S.S, et al. The other traits are pretty inherent and for everyone to see.

As for his alter egos...apart from the creativity trait, I cant come up with a satisfactory explanation. An attempt shall be made later.

Hobbes: Cynic par excellence, anti-human, pro-primitive way of life, Feminist, Independent Thinker. Personally, I feel that Hobbes is (apart from the obvious figment-of-Calvin's imagination-part) representative of this conflict within Calvin. He is in complete concurrence with Calvin in some issues and totally antagonistic in others. What remains constant is his attitude towards mankind and his cynicism vis-a-vis human blunder, incompetence, mismanagement of future etc. Too cynical, in my opinion. In many ways, Hobbes is the first step (cynic) and Calvin the logical next (anti-establishment). On the other hand in issues like attitude towards women, Calvin is retrogressive and the tiger is miles ahead/ suggestive of futuristic behaviour.

This apart from the riots they're upto. Heck, its always easier to laugh without thinking.

More sketches on other characters(Mom,Dad, Susie, Miss Wormwood) in the cartoon up soon.