Thursday, Lafayette, Indiana

Seventy-five years ago America was introduced to “Popeye the Sailor Man.” For several generations we watched him in animated form in movie shorts and television. While many readers may not remember this legendary cartoon figure, Popeye remains an icon of American pop culture.

An enlisted Navy man rarely seen on duty, he roamed around with his girlfriend, Olive Oyl, a single mother with an eating disorder, and her baby, Swea Pea. They were constantly confronting a hulking, sociopathic bully named Bluto who, for reasons incomprehensible, was stalking Olive and jealous of her affection for Popeye.

Despite being poorly spoken, uneducated and suffering a larynx issue and speech impediment, Popeye has a mellow nature. His forearms are swollen, perhaps from an ailment contracted on a port-of-call and he is addicted to his pipe tobacco. Most times he appears to be a emotionally detached from his surroundings. He is patient and not easily provoked.

HOWEVER . . .

When finally roused in anger, Popeye pops open a can of spinach, of all things, and downs it in one swallow. And he is then suddenly transformed, taking on super human strength. In a whirlwind of movement he wreaks violence on wrongdoers and ends the threat. In his sign-off from the episode, Popeye acknowledges the source of his power as he sings:

He then offers two toots through his pipe.

YOUR INNER POPEYE . . .

What do we learn here? Many of us can relate to Popeye’s personality as a well-intentioned, generally easy-going individual coping with complex relationships and responsibilities. And we can also empathize with the experience of being taken advantage of, and even accosted by the mean-spirited people we encounter.

But here is where fantasy takes over. Imagine how wonderful it would be if we too could simply pop open a can of something we find distasteful, endure it going down, and in return be blessed with a burst of power, focus and strength to overcome anyone in our way?

This fantasy is our Inner Popeye, the inner rage that seeks to find a way out but is too timid to let loose.

INERT SPINACH & THE DEATH OF POPEYE . . .

In light of this profound Popeye, metaphor, the popularity of spinach salad means that we are all seeking to be Popeye,. And yet despite our consumption, we remain powerless.

The fundamental source of Popeye’s strength does nothing for us. For us, spinach is inert. And inert spinach means the loss of power. Inert spinach means the death of Popeye, and the emergence of Bluto.

This is a terrifying scenario for us all!