Captain Underpants

Throughout the novel, Pilkey suggests that good will triumph over evil both on a personal and societal level. On a societal level, Captain Underpants—with the help of George and Harold— triumphs over criminals, although often in a way which is humorously haphazard and accidental. Captain Underpants stops the robbers from leaving the bank, warning them that if they do not surrender, he will “have to resort to Wedgie Power!” (63). The robbers are so amused that they “dropped their loot and fell to the sidewalk screaming in hysterics” (64). This allows the police, who arrive at the scene soon afterward, to arrest the robbers.

Good also triumphs on a societal level when Captain Underpants, George, and Harold save the world from the explosion of the moon.

On a more individual level, Captain Underpants epitomizes all that the novel represents as valuable: silliness, creativity, and humor. He maintains his hold on Krupp’s psyche; his humor and silliness triumph over Krupp’s cruelty, harsh discipline, and love of the status quo.

Good also prevails when Mr. Krupp’s plan to keep George and Harold as indentured servants fails. Instead, the boys swap the videotapes and go “back to their old ways, pulling

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