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How the grinch stole christmas analysis
How the grinch stole christmas analysis
How the grinch stole christmas analysis
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The following paper compares a popular short films character, The Grinch, of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, with Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The reason such a comparison seems apt is that the Grinch seems to have all a “man” could want, but is nonetheless unhappy and miserable. Although his material needs have been met, he lacks a sense of belonging, does not have true self-esteem, and has never come close to Maslow’s descriptions of self-actualization. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” shows the evolution of the Grinch from a miser and robber to a being of generosity and empathy. Using Maslow’s theory allows us to see the Grinch’s structure and development of personality, the psychopathology, therapeutic techniques, and the limitations …show more content…
Preceding events that propelled this peak experience, a mystical and awesome experience that represents the highest and healthiest form of human functioning (Ewen, 2010), are wrapped in two characters: Max and Cindy Lou. The Grinch has a dog, Max, showing he has a heart and needs of belongingness and love. Upon meeting Cindy Lou, the faceless society of Whoville became individuals. In accordance with Maslow’s B-cognition during a peak experience, we watched the world recess into the background on the snowy mountaintop as the Grinch’s heart grew upon his epiphany that his small-sized heart was his fault, not others, melting the icy grips of judgment and selfishness he had previously borne. The Grinch was one with the world, instead of against it. When he returned Whoville’s belongings and connected with the individuals (Jones 1966), he had begun to show Maslow’s metaneeds of self-actualization: the love of beauty, truth, goodness, and justice. D-Love had now been replaced with B-Love. In this B-Love, The Grinch recognized that being with others, loving and being loved, gratitude, and genuine regard bring an overall peace of mind and heart that are inexpressible (Ewen, …show more content…
In other words, we really don’t know what was holding the Grinch back from actualizing the rest of his needs, but his D-cognition and D-love were off the charts, evidenced by his deficiency motives. Max, his dog, however, does give us some insights into The Grinch’s triple D (D-cognition, D-love, and deficiency) psychopathology. Separate and alone, except for Max, via mountains and chasms where he can look down on Whoville (Jones, 1966), we realize that The Grinch suffers D-cognition. He is judgmental and isolated from Whoville, vastly lacks empathy and compassion as well as being cynical and anti-social (Ewen, 2010). But The Grinch has Max, demonstrating that he has deficiency motives and D-Love. The Grinch’s deficiency motives of trying to reduce what is lacking in himself, namely B-love, is shown in how The Grinch desires to receive love and affection, or D-Love, from Max (Ewen, 2010). The Grinch’s psychopathology is evidenced in that he did have belonging and love needs; he just was incapable of developing them with
Seuss, The Grinch is the main protagonist in this tale, but not much background is given on this green fellow. In the story, The Grinch is accompanied by his dog, Max, throughout most of the movie. Max acts as a sidekick that helps the Grinch, but is somewhat of an underdog. But puns aside, Max wasn’t treated the best by the Grinch in most of the movie. The Grinch made him pull an entire sleigh which held the Grinch and all of the Whos’ Christmas food, gifts, and decorations. While Max is pulling the sleigh, The Grinch is continuously yelling at him to make him move faster despite the extremely heavy weight on his shoulders, and expects him to carry all of it on his lonesome. To add onto that, The Grinch makes Max help, treating Max almost like a slave, which is extremely unethical and should never be done. But The Grinch doesn’t really even treat Max like a worker, Max just does what he’s told, and doesn’t get much out of the things he’s done for the
Dickens displays guilt as the main form of how Scrooge’s character develops into a compassionate person by the end of the novella. As Scrooge feels this quilt, it's purely based on the visions that the ghosts provide which further causes Scrooge to realise the consequences of his actions. His alienation from specific characters that he used to love such as Belle, “...has displaced me…” whom left Scrooge, due to his desire for money and wealth which grew. This desire grows with him as he is rejecting the christmas joy and spirit as he continuously states that Christmas is a “humbug,” but by stating this it provides comparison. Dickens depicts that Scrooge has become a better person because of fear but in the end he has become kinder. As the
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol is considered by many to be a classic for all the ages, if an objectivist point of view is used to analyse the social and political undertones of the story they will agree with most of it, if not all of it. One of the major parts that an objectivist would agree with in A Christmas Carol is how scrooge thinks of and how he treats the poor and infirm. Scrooge further develops his objectivist ideology by being completely self-interested in both his personal and professional life. After Scrooge is visited by the three apparitions he is radically changed from a self-interested, objectivist, to a positive and uplifting altruist. In Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, an objectivist would agree with Scrooge’s original ideology but would struggle with Scrooges outward manifestation at the end of the story.
Marley had died. Scrooge did not have anyone else who cared about him. “Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say. . . ‘My dear Scrooge, how are you?’. . . But what did Scrooge care! It was the very thing he liked.” (Dickens 3). No one liked Scrooge. Likewise, a group of teenagers go up to see The Grinch. They come down the mountain scared and tells the Whos. When one of the teenagers mentions seeing The Grinch, everyone freaks out and creates havoc in Whoville. The mayor finally tells Cindy Lou Who why they do not like The Grinch. It was because he did not like Christmas and he was always mean and unhappy. The Grinch does not like Christmas and he is grumpy. No one likes him. Although, people provoked The Grinch to be mean, unlike Scrooge. In short, contemporary books use the same conflicts as traditional
Consider Dickens’s portrayal of Scrooge’s change in attitude in a Christmas Carol What message do you feel Dickens Conveys to the reader. The essay will discuss the moral messages, which can be interpreted in the novel. It will examine the main character Scrooge, and his attitude towards life, his mean, grumpy and selfish character and his lack of Christian charity. It will explain the transformation of Scrooge and why the transformation occurred.
Often, readers don’t hear their protagonist shouting phrases such as “Bah!” and “Humbug!”, yet Ebenezer Scrooge is known as the prime character in the novel A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens. Right off the bat, the reader can notice Scrooge is known for being bitter, self absorbed, selfish, and cruel. Over the course of the book, the reader will reevaluate the main character and notice he becomes warmer, joyous, and pleasant. Growth and prosperity have both taken place by the end of the novel.
An example of this is shown in his bitter attitude towards the cheerfulness of his nephew Fred and by thinking Christmas a "humbug." And then, moments before he bitterly declines his nephew's friendly invitation to come dine with him, he says crossly to him, "'Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.'" Lastly, an instance that illustrates the cold heart of Scrooge is when he speaks of the poor, "'If they would rather die, they better do it, and decrease the surplus population.'" By these demonstrations, Scrooge exposed the coldness of his own
If you know this song, it 's probably now stuck in your head. Kind of like "It 's A Small World." Now you have two annoying songs stuck in your head. You 're welcome. Just sharing the joy!
First, let’s talk about the psychoanalytic therapy which Corey (2009) says is “a model of personality development and an approach to psychotherapy. He gave psychotherapy a new look and new horizons, calling attention to psychodynamic factors that motivate behavior, focusing on the role of the unconscious, and developing the first therapeutic procedures for understanding and modifying the structure of one’s basic character” (pg. 60). How can I relate this therapy model to the Grinch? Well looking at the Grinch he appears to want nothing more than to ruin Christmas for the whos. Which to me this shows a sign of aggression and I guess of being destructive if you look at it this way. The Grinch didn’t have any insight into the happiness of Christmas for the whos’. He wa...
In this Stave, Dickens shows the importance of kindness by showing Scrooge’s absence of it and the effects of his harmful indifference. Scrooge is taken into his own past and shown memories of when he was young. The Ghost shows him scenes of when he was small and alone on Christmas. This memory makes him regret his harshness towards a young caroler that had come to his door the previous day. He sees that he lacked kindness and wishes he gave something to the caroler. His indifference towards the caroler insured that Scrooge would remain alone. The Ghost also reminds Scrooge of his beloved sister, Fannie who had died and left only her son. “’Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered,’ said the Ghost. ‘But she had a large heart!’ ‘So she had,’ cried Scrooge. ‘You’re right. I will not gainsay it, Spirit. God forbid!’ ‘She died a woman,’ said the Ghost, ‘and had, as I think, children.’ ‘One child,’ Scrooge returned. ‘True,’ said the Ghost. ‘Your nephew!’ Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind; and answered briefly, ‘Yes.’” (pg. 33-34). Scrooge’s only connection to his kind and gentle sister is his nephew, who also shares Fannie’s sweet nature. Scrooge is then filled with regret because of his callous treatment and lack of relationship with his nephew, who only wanted to be kind and spread the joy of the season. Scrooge’s sheer indifference and lack of kindness towards his nephew prevented
The Grinch is an individual, who is bitter and lives in a cave on the snowy Mount Crumpits, which is 10,000 feet tall and north of Whoville town. The Grinch age is unknown, however looks to be about in his mid-40s and is unemployed. Thus, results in him spending a lot of time alone in his cave with his dog, Max, as his social companion. At any rate, the Grinch faced many issues when he was younger, causing his current behavior, where he was abandoned as a child, and made fun of because of his look and horrendous appearance at school and as a way to cope he decided to run away. The Grinch behavior shows signs of depression, aggression, and irritation though out a large sum of the movie. In that case, the kid that use to make fun of
Charles Dickens’s powerful novel encompasses the notion that generosity involves more than just the giving of money, it requires the giving of one's goodwill and compassion, this required for Scrooge’s own redemption as well as attempting to insinuate within the reader a reflection of their own values and behaviours. Dickens’s novella also acts to warn Scrooge and the audience of the ramifications of their actions if they do not take this into consideration, that generosity always involves more than just the giving of money, it requires the giving of one's goodwill and compassion.
How do we know when or how to change ourselves as people? Sometimes, we all need a shove from something or someone to help us better ourselves. The most dominant factors are kindness, fear, and regret. These three things can make us willing to go through the hassle and hard work of breaking out of a habit, whether it be putting your feet on the couch, or your attitude.
After this altercation Cindy Lou that deep down he was a good person for even if he denied it he saved her life. As she begging her journey to find more about the Grinch the audience and Cindy Lou find out the real story of the Grinch and begin to feel sympathy for the character and his miserable past. The Grinch, in sociology terms, had a stigma or blemish, in school he was teased of his furry green body that did not correspond with the others in Whoville. When the Grinch decides to leave Whoville he curses the day and the gift-giving because his classmates called it garbage and judged the way he looked after he shaved. In a future scene, we again feel sympathy for the Grinch in his response to hitting himself or using noise distractions to forget his past and to forget his loneliness. As Cindy Lou speaks out against the norms of the town she wants to invite the Grinch over to the celebration and to accept the award of the cheer minster. When Cindy Lou arrives at the lair and lets the Grinch see the invitation and what he would be awarded as she leaves the Grinch describes his “plans that involve him which is quoted, “Four o'clock, wallow in self-pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one. 5:30, jazzercise. 6:30, dinner with me.
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