Franklin’s Boss: Unpacking the Dynamics of Simeon Yetarian in GTA 5

Simeon Yetarian: More Than Just a Car Salesman

Franklin Clinton’s boss in Grand Theft Auto V was Simeon Yetarian, the owner and operator of the Armenian Arab Car Dealership located in Los Santos. However, Simeon’s business was far from legitimate. He used the dealership as a front for a repo sideline, employing Franklin and Lamar Davis to repossess vehicles from individuals who had defaulted on their loans, often using highly unethical and borderline illegal tactics. Simeon’s character represents a classic portrayal of a shady businessman exploiting vulnerable individuals for personal gain within the criminal underbelly of Los Santos.

Simeon’s Business Practices and Impact on Franklin

Simeon’s business model relied heavily on preying on low-income individuals with poor credit. He would offer them seemingly attractive car loans with incredibly high-interest rates and unrealistic repayment terms. When these individuals inevitably failed to keep up with the payments, Simeon would send Franklin and Lamar to repossess the vehicles, sometimes resorting to strong-arm tactics and theft.

This exploitative environment had a significant impact on Franklin. He was constantly torn between his loyalty to Simeon (due to his employment) and his growing moral conflict with the nature of the repossession business. He starts to question the ethics of his actions and seeks a way out of this dead-end job. This internal conflict serves as a crucial plot point, setting Franklin on a path towards bigger and more dangerous criminal activities alongside Michael De Santa and Trevor Philips.

The Significance of Simeon in the GTA 5 Narrative

Simeon’s role extends beyond just being Franklin’s employer. He acts as a catalyst for Franklin’s entry into the larger criminal world. The tasks Franklin performs for Simeon provide him with valuable experience in driving, stealing, and dealing with confrontational situations – skills that become essential as he progresses through the game’s storyline.

Furthermore, Simeon’s character adds a layer of satire to the game’s narrative, highlighting the predatory lending practices and financial exploitation that are prevalent in society. His interactions with Franklin expose the stark realities of economic inequality and the desperation that drives individuals to make questionable choices. He’s a caricature of the “shady dealer” and adds a layer of dark humor to the game. The Games Learning Society explores themes of societal commentary often found in games like GTA 5. You can explore similar themes in other games and learn how they can be viewed as modern cultural commentary at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions About Franklin, Simeon, and GTA 5

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further insight into Franklin, Simeon, and their relationship within the Grand Theft Auto V universe:

1. What kind of cars does Simeon sell?

Simeon’s dealership specializes in selling a variety of vehicles, ranging from affordable sedans to flashy sports cars. The quality of these vehicles, however, is often questionable, and many are likely repossessed and resold at inflated prices.

2. How does Franklin feel about working for Simeon?

Initially, Franklin sees the job as a means to an end, providing him with a source of income and a way to stay out of trouble. However, as he witnesses Simeon’s unethical practices and the impact they have on the individuals they target, Franklin becomes increasingly disillusioned and seeks a better life for himself.

3. Does Simeon ever betray Franklin?

While Simeon doesn’t directly betray Franklin in a grand, overarching plot, his constant exploitation and manipulative behavior can be seen as a form of betrayal. He consistently uses Franklin for his own personal gain, disregarding his well-being and personal values.

4. What happens to Simeon after Franklin leaves his employment?

Simeon continues to operate his dealership after Franklin’s departure, likely continuing his exploitative business practices. He makes occasional appearances throughout the game, often crossing paths with Franklin and the other protagonists, creating opportunities for conflict and humorous encounters.

5. What is the Armenian Arab Car Dealership a parody of?

Simeon’s dealership is a parody of real-world car dealerships known for predatory lending practices and unethical sales tactics. It satirizes the way these businesses exploit vulnerable individuals for profit, often leaving them in worse financial situations than they were before.

6. What is the significance of Simeon’s ethnicity in the game?

Simeon’s Armenian heritage, combined with the “Arab” in the dealership’s name, plays into certain stereotypes of foreign businessmen operating on the fringes of society. While potentially controversial, this characterization adds to the game’s satirical portrayal of Los Santos’ diverse and often morally ambiguous population.

7. Does Franklin ever get revenge on Simeon?

While there’s no specific revenge mission against Simeon, Franklin does have opportunities to confront him and challenge his unethical behavior. In one instance, you can choose to damage Simeon’s vehicles as a side activity after doing a mission with Michael. These small acts of defiance can be seen as Franklin’s way of taking back some control.

8. How does Simeon treat Lamar?

Simeon treats Lamar with a similar level of disrespect and exploitation as he does Franklin. However, Lamar is often more willing to engage in Simeon’s questionable tactics, leading to a more tumultuous and humorous dynamic between the two.

9. What other jobs does Franklin have after leaving Simeon?

After leaving Simeon’s employment, Franklin gets involved in more lucrative (but also more dangerous) criminal activities alongside Michael and Trevor. He works on heists, assassinations, and various other missions that propel the game’s main storyline.

10. Is Simeon a recurring character in the GTA series?

Simeon Yetarian is unique to Grand Theft Auto V. He has not appeared in any previous or subsequent installments of the series.

11. What is the relationship between Franklin and Michael’s families?

Franklin does not have any family connection to Michael, but the two characters form a surrogate father-son relationship after Franklin begins working with Michael on heists.

12. How does Simeon contribute to the overall themes of GTA 5?

Simeon contributes to the game’s overall themes of social commentary, economic inequality, and the dark side of the American Dream. He represents the predatory practices that exist within capitalist societies and the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve wealth and success.

13. What is Franklin’s dream for his life in GTA 5?

Franklin wants to escape his criminal life and make a better future for himself. He wants to be wealthy without having to constantly look over his shoulder.

14. What is the fate of the main characters in GTA 5?

The main characters in GTA V, Franklin, Michael, and Trevor, can have three possible endings: killing either Trevor or Michael, or the “Deathwish” ending, where they team up and kill all their enemies. Rockstar has confirmed that the Deathwish ending is the cannon ending and the three characters survive.

15. What makes Franklin Clinton a relatable character in GTA 5?

Franklin’s relatability stems from his genuine desire to improve his life and escape the cycle of poverty and crime. His moral compass and his willingness to question the actions of those around him make him a more grounded and sympathetic character compared to Michael and Trevor. He’s essentially trying to find a legitimate way to succeed in a world that’s often rigged against him.