What the hell IS Goofy, anyway?! Dog or Man?

[Billy Castillo]

Goofy is a ... I'm not sure.

I have spent waaay too much time researching this. And I still can't say for certain what Goofy is. Most of my friends instantly say that Goofy is a dog. And he does look like a dog, with those floppy ears and long nose.

I think Goofy is a human! Not necessarily the smartest human, but he's one of us.

The problem is, even Disney can't seem to make up its mind.

If you click on Disney's Web site, you'll find conflicting statements:

"Goofy is a dog! Good-natured but not that bright, this cartoon character made his first appearance, somewhat disguised, as a member of the audience in Mickey's Revue (1932).

OK, Goofy's a dog, right?

Again, not necessarily. If you read further:

"Goofy was created as a human character, as opposed to Pluto, who was a pet, so he (Goofy) walked upright and had a speaking voice."

I know what you're saying: Mickey also walks upright and talks, and he's clearly a mouse.

But let's investigate a little deeper.

"In the 1960s, Goofy was frequently cast in suburban settings as the 'common man,' occasionally with a wife and son, to showcase some of the pitfalls of modern living. In this unusual guise, he was often known as Mr. George Geef and even shed his distinctive voice for some of these roles. This mature role for Goofy utilized his skills as an actor, rather than playing upon his traditional persona."

Hmm, the common "man," not common "dog." And you don't call a dog "Mr."

Finally:

"He has a gentle, childlike innocence and wonder about the world around him. And, perhaps most important, Goofy always assumes the best about his fellow man."

His fellow man! If Goofy were a dog, he couldn't have a fellow man, could he?

[Quom]

Dare I say sir you have spent much too much time considering the issue. I would advise you to step beyond your front door and allow for the absorption of fresh air.

As for my feelings on this perplexing issue, I feel that Goofy is undoubtedly a dog. He is used to symbolise the lowest form of human male, but still is intended to be a canine.

[Billy Castillo]

Dare I say sir you have spent much too much time considering the issue. I would advise you to step beyond your front door and allow for the absorption of fresh air.

As for my feelings on this perplexing issue, I feel that Goofy is undoubtedly a dog. He is used to symbolise the lowest form of human male, but still is intended to be a canine.

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Edited June 9, 2005 by Billy Castillo

[Ananas]

Methinks, good sir, that reefer may cloud one's judgement when posting about cartoon dogs in the wee hours of the morning. If Goofy was anymore a dog he'd be Clawson's dear old mother.

[Billy Castillo]

Nah, no reefer-quit about 3 months ago. Just was discussing it at work earlier today. As you can tell, it was a slow day.

[Lord Nibbler]

He was original called Dippy Dawg, so that should convince you he is a dog. Just an anthropomorphic dog. Back then he even had a beard.

[Guest Bas]

Mickey Mouse is consider a mouse, and not a man, right?

Well, in that case Goofy is a dog, and not a man.

[Guest Ringmaster]

Goofy is a Dingo, I'm sure of that, so he's kind of a dog.

[Lowerdeck]

Perhaps it's what happened when some clueless and bored redneck woman bred with a dog. (Y)

[Mortis]

Goofy is a dog, but not like Pluto, he's a dogman.

Dogman dammit, dogman.

[Guest Ringmaster]

For the love of God, Goofy is a dingo, not a normal dog.

[Lowerdeck]

Goofy is a dog, but not like Pluto, he's a dogman.

Dogman dammit, dogman.

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So is it like this?

[Guest Wrestling_Man]

Goofy is a dan. A dog and a man, he looks like a dog and talks like a man.

[Billy Castillo]

A dan!

I had no idea Goody was a dingo...

[Silent C]

If anything, Goofy is a Mawg: "Half man, half dog- I'm my own best friend".

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

He's a dog in the same way Mickey is a mouse and Donald a duck.

He's a man in the same way Mickey is a man and Donald a man.

He can talk, think, watch tv, sex up his mrs in the bedroom to the the sounds of Barry White and the like (though Disney don't openly admit it, but he does have kids...)

Pluto is a dog. He lives in a kennel and can't talk.

A dog dog.

Pluto is a pet, Goofy is an 'owner'. Though they're both dogs.

Confusing cartoons.

[Malenko]

He's a dog in the same way Mickey is a mouse and Donald a duck.

He's a man in the same way Mickey is a man and Donald a man.

He can talk, think, watch tv, sex up his mrs in the bedroom to the the sounds of Barry White and the like (though Disney don't openly admit it, but he does have kids...)

Pluto is a dog. He lives in a kennel and can't talk.

A dog dog.

Pluto is a pet, Goofy is an 'owner'. Though they're both dogs.

Confusing cartoons.

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Edited June 10, 2005 by Malenko

[GRIFT]

Except Huey, Dewey, and Louie are Scrooge's nephews as well. By your logic that gives them two fathers, and makes Donald and his illeged father brothers. Your system is flawed.

[Malenko]

Except Huey, Dewey, and Louie are Scrooge's nephews as well. By your logic that gives them two fathers, and makes Donald and his illeged father brothers. Your system is flawed.

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[GRIFT]

Then you have eliminated the system that lays the grounds for your conjecture. Your entire thesis requires reworking.