Stan Marsh has dealt with a lot of horrible things. That might be one of the understatements of the century. To have a Dad like Randy and come out positive and well-adjusted? That's nothing short of a miracle. The most iconic, vitriolic, and quotable South Park character will always be Eric Cartman. However, due to his mostly hateful views, it's rare for any insight to be found in what he has to say.
Stan is different. He's introspective, he questions and analyzes the world around him, as well as the people that inhabit his strange town. Due to his investigative mind, he has become a very wise eight-year-old. His monologues are often the closing point of many episodes, they provide a wealth of awareness.
6 On Religion and Belief
"Trapped in the Closest" is a meteoric South Park episode. Its relentless ridicule of the beliefs of Scientology caused the team's resident Scientologist, Isaac Hayes, to leave the show. As usual, craziness forms in a vortex around Stan. A run-in with the church leads to Scientologists labeling him as a "prophet" and the second coming of their founder, former Sci-Fi writer L. Ron Hubbard.
Stan grapples with the notion of being the second coming for some time. He even tries to aid Scientology's most famous member, Tom Cruise, into realizing his status as a passable actor. The circus ends with a congregation around Stan, seeing the metaphorical light, he says "We all want to understand who were are and where we come from, but sometimes we want to find out the answers so badly that we believe just about anything." People yearn for reaching a sense of knowing, but they shouldn't rush that pursuit.
5 On Activism
Matt Stone and Trey Parker have gunned for every social movement and group around, somehow achieving equality as everyone is a viable target. In Season 9's "Die Hippie, Die," their sights are set on the Hippie Movement. Stan and Kyle are drawn to its idealism but soon become frustrated by the lack of any cohesive action.
At a festival that's been going on for way too long, Stan airs his disappointment to the crowd. It's clear, the only way to achieve change is through action: "What are we doing? It's been nine days. Doesn't it seem like we should accomplish something?" Stan's observation touches on the hypocrisy embedded in certain movements.
4 On Moderation
Issues of addiction might seem simple to an eight-year-old. Kids are often of the philosophy that "If something feels good, do it." However, Stan touches on a tricky concept that many people struggle with. Moderation (for some people) can be possible. There can be a fine-tuned balance of things in a person's life, without the negative aspects getting out of hand.
Whilst consoling his Dad, who is considering his struggles with alcoholism, Stan says "If you devote your whole life to completely avoiding something you like, then that thing still controls your life and you've never learned any discipline at all." For some people, the middle way is possible, it might just take some inner work.
3 On Success
Stan Marsh and Kyle Broflovski are best friends. They're rarely ever seen apart, have the same morals, and serve as foils to Cartman and his scheming. They've had to navigate their differences, though. After becoming a successful Guitar Hero duo, jealousies arise between the two. Stan is convinced that he's more talented than his friend, and he looks to go solo. He finds that in Kyle's absence, playing just isn't fun anymore.
Best One-Off South Park Character
It goes to show, trading friendship for success may leave a person feeling empty. In his heartfelt apology, Stan states "I thought I was having a great time because I was getting signed by managers and...going to big sex and coke parties, but then I realized...I was having fun because I was doing all that with my best friend."
2 On Bullying
Stan definitely has a social conscience. In "Butterballs," his attention is turned to what he views as an endemic issue, bullying in school. He impressively writes and directs an anti-bullying tirade and video. He urges his fellow students to bully bullying out of existence. His heart's in the right place, the execution may be a little off.
To surmise the hit in a sentence, "Bullying is an ugly thing." Whether it permeates a school, workplace, or home, people should be as vigilant as they can in stamping bullying out. Collectively, people should be inclined to "beat its ass until it starts to cry." Poetic.
1 On Depression
If someone wanted to know what depression is like, South Park's "You're Getting Old" and "Ass Burgers" would make them understand. After Stan's 10th birthday and his parent's divorce, he feels life's sands shifting beneath his feet. It coincides with him feeling like every conversation, pursuit, and interest is completely and utterly meaningless.
This alienates Stan from his friends and also from his own identity. He can't enjoy life in the same way that he did. He breaks down to an unhelpful Mr. Mackey, asking "When all the things that made you laugh, just make you sick. How do you go on when nothing makes you happy?" It's a question that many have asked, Stan goes on fighting for an answer.