How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Keywords: the grinch meaning, grinch dr suess, dr suess symbolism

How the Grinch stole Christmas is the rhymed story, beautifully illustrated by Dr. Seuss. This rhyming story not only sounds pleasant while listening, but it also gives a good lesson to all of the readers or listeners. This poem has been written 69 years ago, but it still charms the people of every age (Gikow, ‎ 2000). Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, was a well known poet, writer and cartoonist. He is well known for his book on children. He represents nonsense poetry, children’s literature, learning how to read and energetic cartoons. Dr. Seuss was a purist in his work and he sometimes, would spend approx. a year on a particular book (Stan, ‎2006).

Dr. Seuss is probably the most beloved author of children’s Book, of the past century. He used his power of imagination to develop outstanding kids’ books. He not only created the unique and fun text, but he also helped children learn through that text. His books, though written for starters, appeal to people of all ages (Philip‎, 2004).

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the classic children’s story of all time. From teaching point of view, this story is not only perfect for the children, who are in their ready-to-read age, but it is also the perfect poem for teacher to teach with all the interests of the Starters. This story was first published as a book in 1957 by Random House. The book criticizes and is based o the Christmas commercialization. This book is also named as the ‘Teachers’ Top 100 Books for children, by an online poll. This book also contains illustrations by Dr. Seuss, which add to the interest of the children.

On the Top of the Mount Crumpit, which was in the north side of the Whoville, there lived a cat like thing known as the Grinch. The Grinch was green in color and used to live in a cave. His only friend was a tiny dog Max. From the mount, the Grinch could see that the people of Whoville, known as Whos, celebrating Christmas Eve and festivities. He could also hear their voices of excitement and singing. He watched those exchanging Christmas gifts and their Carol-singing. People of Whoville loved Christmas and they always wanted to enjoy this season with merriment. The Grinch was very much jealous of their happiness. He could no more endure them celebrating their favorite season. His heart was too sizes too small. So he decided to ruin their happiness (Dr. Seuss‎, 2000).

So the Grinch, with his poorly dressed dog Max, went down the steep. Grinch had had his enough of Christmas business He was determined to destroy each and everything related to Christmas once and for all. So he sneaked into the houses of the Whos and stole their Christmas presents. He also stole their meals, decorations. He then started for his mount to take this loot up. He was determined to throw all these Christmas garbage. But at the very last moment, he heard a sound of Whos. This sound was coming from Whoville. All the Who were singing for the Christmas. Despite the fact that there was nothing in their houses to enjoy, they were singing together. Suddenly the Grinch felt remorse. He came back with all their stuff and joined the Christmas song.

The Grinch’s Attitude

If we look into the character of the Grinch, we can see that he is obviously the Antagonist. Grinch was a miserable person, miserably against the happiness of others. He perfectly represents the Bad Guy of the story and typically lonely. He was not only physically alone, but more importantly he was a social outcast. He had no interaction with the people and lives in complete social isolation. He never felt any attraction or affection to the people of Whoville. He just lived above the mountain.

Watching them, singing merrily and exchanging gifts with each other, always made him jealous. So he plotted against their happiness. He wanted to deprive them of the things which make them happy. He did not want to see anybody happy, as long as he is unhappy with his life. He thought when the people of Whoville would not have anything to celebrate Christmas with; they will all became sad and unhappy like him. This was the only thing that could make him happy. Dr. Seuss made his point very clear that lonely people hates facing cheering crowds

Change in the Grinch’s Attitude

After Stealing all the things the Grinch thought that he had made the people of Whoville unhappy. But then he heard them singing like the way they always do. Only after then, a Shocking realization struck him. He realized that his plan totally failed. He had not managed to stop the celebrations of Christmas. Without any present and decorations, the people of Whoville were still celebrating the Christmas Eve with merriment.

The Grinch realized that Christmas has nothing to do with the gifts and decoration. It even comes to those who have nothing in their houses. He can never steal Christmas, because Christmas is not a tangible thing. Christmas is something quite different. He can never prevent Christmas from coming. He has always misunderstood the merriment of the people of Whoville. He was in the state of utter shock.

Though Grinch was a cruel and a lonely person but he still had a heart, which was innocent. He loved people inside and wanted to enjoy their gathering. But he never managed to join them by himself. He tried to steal their happiness, but he realizes that happiness was not about material thing. It can also be achieved, even if you have nothing. The situation introduced him to this new reality. It was shocking, but true. Christmas is not about presents and decorations, it’s all about inside merriment. The Grinch, with nothing in his possession, can even enjoy Christmas with the people of the Whoville.

Dr. Seuss wants to tell us that Christmas is not about material things and commercialization. It is not about decorations and spending. Christmas is all about loving each other and spending time with your loved one. By this story he showed us all that, even the Grinch took all the things of Whos, but they still celebrated Christmas. Love, peace and harmony are the true message of the Christmas. Gifts and trees have nothing to do with the Christmas.