Analysis Of The Grinch Stole Christmas

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966&2000) explains not only the life of the Grinch but the Whos as well. Through the theorists of Karen Horney and Erik Erikson, viewers can learn why the Grinch’s personality is formed. Not only had it formed, but through the years it transformed. The 1000th Whobilation is crucial to describe the lifestyle of the Whos. The people of Whoville are celebrating that a genocide hasn’t happened. Cindy Lou Who makes a dramatic decision to invite the Grinch to the ceremony. The Grinch is a different species than the Whos. The Grinch is a What. The Grinch has not been seen since the incident in his school days. In the cartoon version they 're not singing because they love Christmas. They 're singing because they …show more content…

During stage seven, the Grinch is battling problems of generativity vs. stagnation. Generativity is giving optimism about humanity to the next generation(where all of Whoville is terrified and this is great if he gives it to them). Stagnation refers to the failure to find a way to contribute. The Grinch has always felt uninvolved with their community because he isn’t a Who. Throughout his life, the Grinch was curious with the concept of Christmas. He would watch all of Whoville celebrate. When there was a 99% Christmas sale going on, the Grinch wore a cloak and a mask so people wouldn’t try to distinguish him. He told his dog Max “The city is a dangerous place” as they explored. As an adult, he is feeling worthless and bored living in a cave with his dog. He talks to the walls and listens to their echos. He scares teenagers away when they arrive to the door because social interaction is all new to him. He yells who he hates from the phonebook one by one. Yet, deep down he has a heart. The goal is to value others and ensure future generations. Whoville is scared that a genocide is going to happen. He ensures them peace when he carves the roast-beast. Therefore, he has success by becoming involved with their …show more content…

In the end of both How the Grinch Stole Christmas versions (1966 and 2000) he moves toward people to show compliance. He was attempting to make the Whos happy during the feast by carving the roast beast. He gains love and secures approval to sit with them during dinner. Usually they would run away from him screaming. It’s hard not to grow a detachment toward the Whos. He once moved against people to live in a cave on Mount Crumpit. He moved away because he was teased when he was younger. Even looking at the Grinch, how would he expect to live in Whoville all his life? He isn’t the same species. The Grinch moved against people as a hostility role. The Grinch 's need to feel powerful and to exploit Max by being mean are efforts to lessen the discomfort of basic anxiety (this one of Horney’s 10 Neurotic security seeking

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