Editing Sideshow Bob (section)

===Analysis===
In ''[[Planet Simpson]]'', author [[Chris Turner (author)|Chris Turner]] writes that Bob is built into a highbrow snob and conservative [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] so that the writers can continually use him as a strawman and pincushion. He represents [[high culture]] while Krusty represents [[low culture]], and Bart, stuck in between, always wins out.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=129–131}} In the book ''[[Leaving Springfield]]'', David L. G. Arnold comments that Bart is a product of a "mass-culture upbringing" and thus is Bob's enemy.<ref>[[#Arnold|Arnold]], pp. 2–3.</ref> Frustrated by his early role as the target of "Krusty's cheap gags", Bob frames Krusty and takes over the show. He changes the content of that show to present readings of classic literature and segments examining the emotional lives of pre-teens. He believes that by exposing the kids to high culture he will improve their lives.<ref name="p12"/> Arnold writes that "Bob's own conscience and morality are clearly unaffected by the high culture he represents." He also tries to "manipulate the tastes of the masses" by becoming a criminal mastermind.<ref name="p12">[[#Arnold|Arnold]], pp. 12–13.</ref> Arnold believes that this is most apparent in "[[Sideshow Bob Roberts]]", wherein he rigs the election to become the mayor of Springfield. When accused of election fraud, he rants, "Your guilty consciences may force you to vote Democratic, but secretly you yearn for a cold-hearted Republican who'll cut taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you like a king! That's why I did this, to protect you from yourselves!" He considers himself a member of the social elite, and happily uses [[Machiavelli]]an methods to acquire and maintain power.<ref>[[#Arnold|Arnold]], p. 17.</ref>

Bob's intelligence serves him in many ways. During the episode "Cape Feare", for example, the parole board asks Bob why he has a tattoo that says "Die, Bart, Die". Bob replies that it is German for "The, Bart, The"; members of the board are impressed by his reasoning.<ref name=A16/> Believing that "nobody who speaks German could be an evil man", they release him.<ref name="Feare"/> However, his love of high culture is sometimes used against him. In the same episode, Bob agrees to perform the operetta ''[[H.M.S. Pinafore]]'' in its entirety as a last request for Bart. The tactic stalls Bob long enough for the police to arrest him.<ref name=A16>[[#Arnold|Arnold]], p. 16.</ref>