Arthur meme: from a cartoon for kids to viral meme

Memes have firmly rooted themselves as a dominant form of pop culture. Among them is the ever-popular and enduring phenomenon: the Arthur meme. Originating from a children’s cartoon that aired on PBS Kids, “Arthur”, an aardvark, and his friends have become iconic figures. But how did Arthur Read and his companions transition from being lovable cartoon characters to becoming trending meme materials? Let’s dig deep into the world of Arthur memes.

Understanding Arthur before the meme

For many, the mere mention of “Arthur” harkens back to childhood days spent in front of the TV, watching the adventures of Arthur, Buster, Francine, Muffy, and the rest of the Elwood City crew. Premiering on PBS in the mid-90s, this show revolved around an aardvark named Arthur Read and his experiences growing up. It wasn’t just another cartoon; it offered moral lessons, friendship tales, and a hefty dose of humor. Yet, like many things from our childhood, the characters from the show found new life in today’s world. Enter: the long line of Arthur memes.

The rise of the Arthur fist meme

The most iconic of these is undoubtedly the “Arthur fist meme”. This meme features an image of Arthur with a clenched fist, capturing a universal feeling of frustration and determination. This meme blew up on social media platforms, especially Twitter and Tumblr. Thousands of users shared, retweeted, and added their own funniest captions to the pic. The beauty of this meme was its sheer relatability, allowing anyone to “deal with” everyday annoyances by comparing them against Arthur’s clenched fist.

Various pop culture figures and celebrities, from John Legend to LeBron James, have tweeted or referenced the meme, amplifying its reach. Even websites like “The Verge” and “Know Your Meme” documented its meteoric rise. But where did this meme start?

According to “Know Your Meme”, a popular meme documentation site, the Arthur fist meme traces back to a Twitter user named “almostjt”. He juxtaposed the image of Arthur’s clenched fist with a humorous caption about frustrations. The tweet went viral, and before long, Arthur’s clenched fist became synonymous with universal irritations.

The memefication of Arthur

As its primary audience grew up, so did the ways they engaged with content. Platforms like Tumblr, Twitter, and later TikTok, became the stages where these millennials expressed themselves. And with that expression came a resurgence of Arthur, not as a cartoon but as a meme. Memes are a reflection of society, capturing sentiments, humor, and commentary on current events. The “Arthur fist meme”, symbolizing suppressed anger or frustration, resonated with many. It captured a sentiment that words sometimes couldn’t, making it relatable to a broad audience, not just those who grew up with the show.

Arthur’s friends join the meme parade

While the Arthur fist meme was the most prominent, it didn’t take long for other characters from the show, like Buster, Muffy, and Francine, to get their share of meme limelight. Even Arthur’s younger sister, D.W., was not spared, with the “D.W. meme” gaining traction for a time.

Tumblr, a hub for various fan arts and meme cultures, saw an increase of these Arthur-based memes. Stickers, tweets, and video clips of various characters, sometimes even combined with other media like Disney cartoons or video games, added to the frenzy.

For instance, Muffy was often compare with lavish lifestyles and a bit of sass, while Buster, being the food enthusiast in the series, often found himself in memes related to culinary cravings. The versatility of these characters meant that there was an Arthur meme for almost every situation.

A modern legacy

One might ask, how did a children’s show from PBS turn into a cultural meme phenomenon? The answer lies in the nostalgia and universal themes of the cartoon. As the audience who grew up watching Arthur matured, so did their means of expression. Platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and other social media became the playgrounds where these memories were relived, reshaped, and shared. With the current state of pop culture constantly evolving, cartoon memes, particularly those from beloved shows, will always find a place in the hearts of the audience. With more and more celebrities hopping on the meme train, from New York’s notable personalities to podcast hosts discussing the latest meme trends, Arthur’s relevance in today’s world is undeniable.

The journey of Arthur, from a cartoon character teaching life lessons on PBS Kids to becoming a staple meme in today’s world, is nothing short of phenomenal. While memes come and go, the legacy of the Arthur memes, especially the iconic Arthur fist, will remain etched in the archives of pop culture.

Whether you’ve seen these memes on TikTok, used an Arthur sticker on your favorite messaging app, or chuckled at a pic tweeted by a prominent Twitter user, one thing is clear: Arthur’s transition from a simple cartoon to an emblem of pop culture is a testament to the enduring charm of childhood memories and the universal language of memes.

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FAQs:

1. What is the Arthur meme?

The Arthur meme refers to a series of memes based on scenes and characters from the PBS Kids cartoon show “Arthur.” The most popular of these memes is the “Arthur fist meme,” depicting Arthur clenching his fist, symbolizing frustration.

2. Why did Arthur clench his fist?

Arthur clenched his fist in a moment of suppressed frustration. Over time, the image became a symbol on social media for moments of irritation, disappointment, or restrained anger.

3. What episode is Arthur fist from?

The iconic “Arthur fist” image comes from an episode titled “Arthur’s Big Hit,” which is the first episode of the show’s fourth season. In this episode, Arthur clenches his fist in frustration before hitting his little sister, D.W., for breaking his model airplane.