The presumption of a benevolent and omnipotent God makes the existence of evil problematic. This dilemma, known as theodicy, is often used to demonstrate the lack of a God. The Book of Job and the South Park episode “Cartmanland” explore this theme, but neither use it to justify giving up God. instead didactic stories that differ in their approach (and message) while justifying the possibility of a benevolent God coexisting with evil. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In “Cartmanland,” theodicy is presented a little differently than in the Book of Job. In the story of Job, his suffering is used as proof to Satan that he will continue to praise God, even if his good fortune is taken away from him. South Park doesn't preface the episode with any kind of spiritual backstory. In addition to this, “Cartmanland” differs structurally in the plot by telling two contrasting stories. Instead of focusing on a single protagonist who suffers despite his righteousness, “Cartmanland” begins in reverse with the evil character, Cartman, being rewarded. The righteous and suffering character, Kyle, is instead used as a subplot. Thematically, this reiterates Job's question about a good God who allows evil. But by placing emphasis on rewarding Cartman with a million dollars and an amusement park, the theme of injustice is expanded beyond its role in the Book of Job. The question of whether God allows good people to suffer is present when Kyle suffers from hemorrhoids. , but this is used less as a focal point and more as a foil to Cartman's undeserved fortune. This is used as a plot device to insert the theme of Job's theodicy into an episode that could easily have excluded it, since Cartman predictably loses his fortune at the end of the episode. Although justice is restored, "Cartmanland" is to some extent a critique of Job's story. Kyle's parents use the story to convince him to remain faithful despite his suffering. During this scene, Job's summary does not end happily with Job regaining his former status. Instead, the scene is anticlimactic and ends with Job losing everything. Kyle responds to the story by wondering if anything happens after Job's suffering, to which his parents say no. This gives a distorted view of what really happens in the Book of Job. This briefly raises the possibility that God may not be benevolent, an alternative conclusion to theodicy than saying he is simply non-existent. The ambiguity of God's benevolence can be found not only in the Book of Job, but in the Old Testament in general. In this half of the Bible, God has few positive qualities as a character. He is constantly presented as a jealous and vengeful figure, who attempted to destroy the human species. The Old Testament provides no precedent to justify the presumption of a benevolent God. Although this idea is not fully explored in the episode, God's existence and benevolence remain ambiguous throughout "Cartmanland". Not taking a definitive position on the existence of God is another way that "Cartmanland" differs from the Book of Job. In this way, South Park presents a more agnostic retelling of Job. This goes against the history of Job's teachings, as everything that happens in the Book of Job is attributed to the action of God. Theodicy is not as much of a concern in South Park since Cartman's inheritance is his grandmother's decision, while Kyle's hemorrhoids are one.