Every author dreams of writing the book that gives us something timeless. It could be a character, a catch phrase, or just something that sticks in our collective psyche because it expresses a universal truth.
Charles Dickens did this with his story "A Christmas Carol". Just think - ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. A character named Ebenezer Scrooge who is now the definition of a miserly person. "Bah Humbug!" Tiny Tim. The story is just as relevant today as it was in 1843 and you know the story, whether you think you do or not.
As great as A Christmas Carol is, there is another story that I love. "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" was written by Theodore Geisel aka Dr. Seuss. The character first appeared in a poem published in Redbook magazine in 1955. A book was subsequently published in 1957, illustrated by the author.
The plot is simple: the green Grinch, a bitter, Christmas hating creature with a heart two sizes too small, decides to ruin the Christmas of the loving Whoville village whose holiday celebrations have bothered him for the previous 53 years. But, partially thanks to the tiny Who called Cindy Lou Who, the Grinch comes to find out what the true spirit of Christmas is. He ends up joining the Whos for their Christmas feast and there is a happy ending.
In 1966, the story was made into an animated cartoon which I could watch multiple times during the Holidays if I had the opportunity. I've owned it in VHS and I think I have it "somewhere" in the house in DVD.
For some reason, Grinchy decorations have become part of our celebrations of the season. Here, at the Roberson Museum and Science Center in Binghamton, new York, I found a tree with both a Grinch decoration (top right) and Cindy Lou Who (bottom center), the heroine (so to speak) of the tale.
In Punta Gorda, Florida, I found a Grinch wrapped around a palm tree in January, 2020.
And, at Oh Tannenbaum at the Tioga County historical society, there was a Grinchy Christmas wreath displayed this past November.
Finally (not shown) at a holiday lights display at a local park, we even have an inflatable Grinch.
Yes, it's every author's dream. It's a type of immortality.
What's your favorite holiday character from literature?
...the Grinch isn't my thing.
ReplyDeleteI juat saw a hallmark movie promoted that had a grinch theme. I wouldn't watch it. Funny, that. Carol C
ReplyDeleteWow, the Grinch lives …
ReplyDeleteHmmm, favorite holiday character from literature? I’d have to say Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. He grows up “different”, he’s bullied, and yet he manages to become a hero.
Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a great story and so is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I can't improve on those selections.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! It's certainly THIS writer's dream! Hmmm...unforgettable Christmas characters? Rudolph comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteBoth A Christmas Carol and HtGSC are beyond wonderful. My favourite Christmas characters have got to be Jim and Della from The Gift of the Magi.
ReplyDeleteSeason's greetings to you and yours.
I love the book, and the original cartoon, but the music from the movie was really great.
ReplyDeleteThe wreath reminds me of the Santa toilet seat cover I used to have! I like The Grinch more before everything got so saturated with it.
ReplyDeleteI always liked Rudolph.
I just heard recently, Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol for the money!
Ever read Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory? It's a short story. Wonderful.
Scrooge and the Cratchits forever.
ReplyDeleteBah humbug! I love that exclamation, and I use it year-round.
ReplyDeleteGrinch is streaming all over the place. Like here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x52pql5
I just finished watching the 2018 version of The Grinch. It was absolutely delightful!
ReplyDeleteI'm wild about the Grinch story, too. I have read the book aloud so many times that I have it memorized. I love the cartoon version best.
ReplyDeleteHave you watched the movie, The Man Who Invented Christmas"? It is great -all about how Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. We love it. And, I love the Grinch!
ReplyDeleteI love all the stories that take the character through a journey of heart transformation. Thanks for sharing this. I learned new-to-me details about the Grinch story.
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