Calvin and Hobbes is, perhaps, one of America’s most philosophical and meaningful comic strips. It deviates greatly from the traditional corny and somewhat violent humor of most American comic strips and plunges deeply into philosophical views on life. Six year old Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes are named after John Calvin, a 16th-century French Reformation theologian, and Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century English political philosopher.

The author’s use of Calvin as a main character proves very effective. As a six year old, he is very devoid of other emotional influences such as money, fame, or grades, and serves as an excellent foil to the other characters in the strip. Calvin is used as an advocate of imagination and creativity even though his parents and teacher never appreciate this. Often, the reader can see the stark contrast between Calvin’s dad, who is seemingly void of creativity and a victim of capitalist America, and Calvin.

Calvin and Hobbes demonstrate two conflicting philosophies on life. Hobbes always plans ahead, and analyzes problems intellectually before answering while Calvin always answers however will give him the most satisfying immediate results. The following conversation illustrates the two opinions.

Calvin: “I always live for the moment, you never know when you’ll step into the street and be hit by a cement truck, that’ll be the end. That’s my motto, what’s yours?”

Hobbes: “Look down the road.”

Overall, Calvin and Hobbes provides very philosophical quotations and thoughts in the form of a comic strip. It has been suggested that Calvin is an embodiment of the author’s childhood, and illustrates the feelings children often have when they are misunderstood. Calvin and Hobbes rightfully earns a 10/10.

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