Character Analysis

            In the ABC show “Modern Family” there is a character named Phil Dunphy who is played by Ty Burrell. In the show, Phil is married to Claire Dunphy and they have three kids together. Phil comes off as a cool dad who is a lot like a child in a sense. Phil’s actions depict that of a teenager at times and I believe that is why he is my favorite character. Phil works as a real estate agent and he is very good at it. Ty’s character “Phil Dunphy” uses blatant insecurity, Inquisitive curiosity, and harsh sarcasm to depict a comical effect.

            Phil Dunphy is very insecure and it’s as clear as day. In many of the episodes of “Modern Family” Phil demonstrates this trait. For example, in the episode “Virgin Territory” Phil is very insecure about whether or not his oldest daughter, Haley Dunphy, is a virgin or not. At one point in the episode Phil says "I’m sorry, Doc, I’m having trouble adjusting to all this." pertaining to the whole virgin situation between his daughter and himself. Phil really wants to know the truth but he is so insecure about it he doesn’t know if he can handle it.

            Besides being insecure, Phil is also very curious. Phil always questions everything to the utmost extent. I think it has something to do with his insecurities. For example, in the episode “Lifetime Supply” His doctor examines him and tells him that he will call if anything is wrong and he does call but Phil misses the call so he begins to question every single thing that could be wrong. Phil calls back but the doctor does not answer and he is left worrying for days. Come to find out, Phil’s doctor was only calling to discuss real estate since Phil is a real estate agent. Phil’s curiosity got the best of him and he was worried for days.

            Phil Dunphy is also very sarcastic from time to time. His sarcasm is very humorous though so it completes the show in a way. For example, in the episode “Marriage” Phil says; “Trust me, I had plenty of fun in my time. Then, I met your mom.” Obviously Phil is not serious about this statement but it is very sarcastic and funny. Phil’s sarcasm makes his character come alive.

            Ty Burrell does a great job acting as Phil Dunphy in the show “Modern Family” He plays a really convincing role as a father trying to fit in as best he can with his kids. His acting brings the viewers in and makes the show much more believable. The Dunphys could be your next door neighbor! Ty’s character “Phil Dunphy” uses blatant insecurity, Inquisitive curiosity, and harsh sarcasm to depict a comical effect.

            In the excerpt from the British novel, the narrator utilizes situational imagery to present how humor magnifies real life situations. For instance, towards the beginning of the novel, Isabel and the narrator are spotted by Isabel’s father at a play. To bring out the humor is this part of the novel; the narrator describes the situation using imagery. “Christopher stood up in the middle of the elegantly suited and scented audience, and began making the vigorous hand gestures of a man waving off a departing cruise ship.” Later on in the novel, the narrator describes Isabel’s actions when she notices her father by using imagery to project humor. “Isabel smiled feebly, turned a beetroot shade and repeated in the panicked diction, ‘I can’t believe this, please let them shut up.” Near the end of the novel, Isabel introduces the narrator to her parents and the narrator uses imagery to portray the humor in the situation. “What are you staring at up there? I’m looking at the light fixtures they have. They’re new tungsten bulbs, Japanese things, quite wonderful, they use a only a small amount of electricity but give off a very nice light.” Isabel’s dad is more interested in staring at the light bulbs then meeting the narrator.

That Awkward Moment

            That awkward moment when you’re in an arena full of Boston Bruins fans and you stand up and cheer for a Washington Capitals goal, Yeah, awkward. A few years ago I attended a Bruins game and witnessed this event. Now the person who stood up and cheered wasn’t in a Capitals jersey like you probably thought, they were in a Boston Bruins jersey and that’s what makes this situation awkward. The Bruins had just got the puck stolen from them by the Capitals and they were headed for the Bruins end of the ice. The Bruins raced after them in attempt to prevent a Capitals goal. A few seconds later the sound of the buzzer filled the arena. Everybody in the section of seating that I was in was clearly upset, including me. Then, once the noise of the buzzer had died down, I hear it. Dreadful cheering for the opposing team filled my eardrums. I turn around in expectations to see a Capitals fan in an Alex Ovechkin jersey but to my dismay, that was not even close to what I saw. I saw a teenage girl with a Boston Bruins jersey on. I looked at the facial expressions of the people around me and they appeared to be just about as confused as I was. It was awkward.