Understanding Symbolism Through Bluey's 'Sleepytime' | Video Essay

Why do people consider Bluey's "Sleepytime" to be a masterpiece? What should symbolism analysis look like? Using Thomas C. Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor, let's see if we can answer these questions.

0:00 Intro-- "Sleepytime" is a masterpiece. But why?
0:40 Understanding symbolism with How to Read Literature Like a Professor
2:40 The analysis--parenthood
3:26 Dreams
4:30 The end of the world
5:35 "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity"
9:29 Loneliness and Toys
10:58 The Sun
17:12 Why are the curtains blue?

All clips used in this video fall under fair use as they are part of my critique/review.

Editor: Khabi Javan

Music: The Planets, Op. 32 IV. "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity" by Gustav Holst

[RoughestDrafts]

Howdy scholars. I was so grateful for the response to my last video, thank you so much. This video would've been out sooner, but I had to deal with a lot of copyright issues which ultimately led to the video as you're seeing it.

As always, let me know your thoughts, and I'd love to hear what kind of videos you all would want to see in the future. Also, if there's anything I can improve, let me know! Take it easy!

[pocketraccoons]

I dont know if that's the case but I think Bandit at least partially is represented by Jupiter because the planet is a gas giant. I know this is pretty juvenile but I think it's funny how much that does actually fit looking at other Bluey episodes haha

[coins]

i cried over this video three times in the same watch. just kind of processing what this meant. i vaguely remember watching this episode and i just thought it was kind of surreal, but i knew there was something else underneath the surface that i just didnt. watching this helped the gears start turning in my head. idk this is just some good shit. this makes me remember why i used to love language arts. its been a long time since ive been able to connect with that.

[vandanacasm]

I can't believe someone made a video, and such a detailed one, about this episode. I watched this with my 4 year old and felt so many emotions after it ended. Stayed with me for some time too.

[olfactoryninja]

I first became aware of Bluey right when my daughter was born, which also happened right as Covid hit. I lost my job and spent almost 4 years as a stay at home dad. Bandit is someone I endlessly relate to and empathize with, and this episode makes me cry every single time. You so perfectly explained all my thoughts about the metaphors and symbolism at play better than even I could (and I'm a writer!).

[mckenziepearmain]

i loved this whole video! the excerpt from the beginning stood out to me, where it was talking about symbolism. “seriously, what do YOU think it stands for, because that’s probably what it does. at least for you.” that ties in well with the points you were making about analysis in media and literature throughout and towards the end. life is about finding meaning in the things we are drawn to, and this will look different for everyone since we all have our own soul and mind and experiences. or, we don’t have to find meaning at all and simply just enjoy media in a passive way.

the parallels of Jupiter and the Sun to parents/parenthood were really fascinating. Bandit as Jupiter, Chilli and the Sun, and Bingo as the Earth were so well thought out. Jupiter protects the Earth from most asteroids and other space material and deflects them because of its gravity/mass. The Sun can also protect the Earth in the sense of the warmth and light it radiates that helps sustain life. idk haha just cool stuff and i love the depth you went into for this.

last thought: Bingo leaving floppy makes me cry EVERY TIME bc i love my stuffed animals and it was just so tender to see Bingo pass on her little stuffed animal companion and it really is such a beautiful imagery of childhood and UGH

[afdrifhearts]

My interpretation of Bingo emerging from the shattering Earth is that the stories Chilli read to her at bedtime were incorporated into Bingo's dream via imagery of her "hatching" from an Earth "egg". Sort of like how the movies we watch before going to sleep often influence our dreams, and similar to the game of Pop-Up Croc the family played before bed, and Bluey's conversation with Chilli about Bandit being unable to play touch football with his friends like he used to because he's "busy" working and looking after Bluey and Bingo factored into Bluey's dream about being a fruit bat in the episode of the same name.

Bandit is Jupiter because it's the largest planetary body in the Solar System, and often thought of as Earth's protector, with its gravitational force said to prevent asteroids and other bodies from slamming into the little blue planet. He's safe and welcoming, and Bingo knows that she can rely on him for both fun playtimes and reassuring comfort.

And, Chilli is the Sun for all of the reasons you so eloquently stated, but also due to her role as the voice of reason in the Heeler household, reining in the general chaos caused by Bandit and the girls' antics. She's warm and loving, and the source of life-giving light which all of the planets revolve around.

This video was an excellently researched and thoroughly interesting watch. I would love to see a similar analysis on the themes present in "Flatpack"; a highly underrated episode that manages to cram profound messages about, in series creator and head writer, Joe Brumm's own words, "the meaning of life", and symbolic allusions to religion and evolution into just seven fantastic minutes of television.

[lizd.]

Your Shel Silverstein video came across my feed and I'm now in the process of watching all your content! I'm in awe of this show and it doesn't surprise me that the best episode is the one with minimal dialogue. That just demonstrates how good it is

[hypermaniya]

omg, i watched two whole videos of yours without realizing how FREAKING underrated your channel is. you earned a subscriber, sir! you are very well spoken and your videos are very high quality. keep it up! ❤️

[randomspider]

In astronomy, Jupiter represents strength and power, since it’s the biggest planet in the solar system. It also has many, many moons, which could symbolize someone with a support system or makes friends easily. This could mean that Bingo sees her father as a figure who is both powerful and friendly.

[MrAcuriteOf]

"Jupiter" is a later corruption of "Jove Pater, " Jove the Father, where you also see the same name used to refer to the same guy in expressions like "By Jove!". We also get, referring to the same guy, the word "Jovial, " happy and lighthearted. The Roman Jupiter was very different in characterization compared to the Greek Zeus, given that the former loved empire and authority, while the latter is very much colored by writers like Ovid. "Jupiter, the bringer of Joviality" and the comparison to someone's loving dad are, therefore, entirely sensible.

[JHop]

I been thinking about this episode of bluey for 3 days straight.

[joshuasgameplays]

That single Tumblr post about the blue curtains has single handedly ruined an entire generation's ability to analyze media.

[chelseaely]

Less than 600 views??? That’s crazy! I was going through the comments and was surprised to abruptly reach the end of them all. I haven’t watched Bluey, but know it is meant to be amazing for kids and adults alike, and I loved this analysis!!!
This is only the second video I’ve watched from you (I watched the first earlier today) and was shocked to see you didn’t have many subscribers, I wish I could subscribe again after this vid too!

[andocoolxd]

STELLAR ANALYSIS! Love how you went through every single detail to manufacture and link them into a conglomerate of data to emphatize your point and going truly in-depht to achieve it!

This episode is indeed a Magnum Opus; EVERYTHING from the use of orchestal interpretation for the credits, to the paralelism between Bingo's dream and real life, Chilli being depicted as the sun symbolizing how her little planets [or little stars as she affectionally call them] (and husband) rely on her mere presence, the fact the episode started with a simple night routine for the family and developed into complexity as it progressed, the spectacular humor, the fact it represents a metaphor for both abandonment and fear of loss, Bingo adorably being finally able to sleep in her own bed (THEY GROW SO FAST), the now confirmed parallel for Chilli's miscarriage from Mercury being unhatched etc...

A pair of bonus facts someone who had an interview with Joe posted in Reddit include originally there were going to be Greek deities floating around the solar system, the fact the sun was originally not going to represent Chilli but 'the universe' and the fact it was going to be voiced by Cate Blanchett!!!

Again, MAGNIFICENT video, mate! Indeed, Bluey is a MASTERPIECE, for real life!

[laragalc]

insightful analysis, I liked this one

[violetlife]

I haven’t watched bluey but this video made me want to

[ashwolf]

The Jupiter from the planets in the background genuinely freaked me out for a second because I’m playing that for band

[UpintheAirft.Zurich]

Amazing video, great analysis of a piece of media that not a lot of people would think to take the time to go into depth with!

[joshuaclabeaux]

This is my favorite Bluey episode! I knew there was a lot to unpack in it and I think that's what makes it so great; it crams a lot of content into just 8 minutes. I recognized a lot of the same symbolism that you did. I thought I was the only one who took a stab at this, so I'm glad you did, too. By the way, thanks for Holst's Jupiter as the background music for this video. Of note, Jupiter starts playing in the episode when Bingo gets to Jupiter, and I knew exactly why.