It is that annual time of year when all the Christmas shows you have known since
you were a child come on television. I just watched Rudolph the Red Nosed
Reindeer with my three-year –old granddaughter. These shows take on a
whole different perspective when you watch them with a child. On the plus
side, you see them through the wondering eyes of a child who is terrified by the
Abominable Snow Monster of the North. It reminds you of how scared you
were when you were little by the poorly disguised puppet. The songs they
sing are ones you know by heart from old memories and present day department
stores. You sense the tension when Rudolph and his family are
captured. Everything somehow seems new and alive again. It is almost
like you are a child all over and story is gripping. On the other hand,
when watched through an adult’s eyes you notice some new things. For
example, Rudolph’s father was a terrible dad, trying to hide his son’s
irregularity. So the kid had a red nose. Is that really so
bad? He could have been deformed or had five legs or something. He
has one little imperfection and his father freaks out. Then the rest of
their society does one step worse. They alienate him and ban him from all
reindeer games. You would think he had a communicable disease. But
surely jolly old St. Nick puts a stop to it, right? No. He
encouraged the segregation and says it is a shame about Rudolph’s nose since he
had such a great take off. So what lesson does the story teach? Is
it a story of tolerance and acceptance of people who are different? I
think not. We are shown that Rudolph was better served by running away to
grow up in the wilderness than by staying with his family. Only characters
with their own irregularities join his company. Herbie, the elf dentist and
Yukon Cornelius are not bothered in the least by Rudolph’s nose. Even so,
Rudolph seeks his father’s approval and heads home only to find his family
captives of the snow monster. As my granddaughter cringed I thought that
karma had come around for Rudolph’s family. After they are saved the other
characters regret their action but only accept Rudolph when they see what he can
do for them. Santa only appreciates the little reindeer when he sees
how he can use him for his own benefit. In summary we have an intolerant
society including Rudolph’s family that only holds him in esteem when they see
how his gift can benefit them. Did I miss anything? Oh yes, the snow
monster gets accepted in the end as well…after they pull out all his
teeth. Think how embarrassed he will be when he gets together with his
snow monster friends. Maybe they won’t let him play in all the snow
monster games!
you were a child come on television. I just watched Rudolph the Red Nosed
Reindeer with my three-year –old granddaughter. These shows take on a
whole different perspective when you watch them with a child. On the plus
side, you see them through the wondering eyes of a child who is terrified by the
Abominable Snow Monster of the North. It reminds you of how scared you
were when you were little by the poorly disguised puppet. The songs they
sing are ones you know by heart from old memories and present day department
stores. You sense the tension when Rudolph and his family are
captured. Everything somehow seems new and alive again. It is almost
like you are a child all over and story is gripping. On the other hand,
when watched through an adult’s eyes you notice some new things. For
example, Rudolph’s father was a terrible dad, trying to hide his son’s
irregularity. So the kid had a red nose. Is that really so
bad? He could have been deformed or had five legs or something. He
has one little imperfection and his father freaks out. Then the rest of
their society does one step worse. They alienate him and ban him from all
reindeer games. You would think he had a communicable disease. But
surely jolly old St. Nick puts a stop to it, right? No. He
encouraged the segregation and says it is a shame about Rudolph’s nose since he
had such a great take off. So what lesson does the story teach? Is
it a story of tolerance and acceptance of people who are different? I
think not. We are shown that Rudolph was better served by running away to
grow up in the wilderness than by staying with his family. Only characters
with their own irregularities join his company. Herbie, the elf dentist and
Yukon Cornelius are not bothered in the least by Rudolph’s nose. Even so,
Rudolph seeks his father’s approval and heads home only to find his family
captives of the snow monster. As my granddaughter cringed I thought that
karma had come around for Rudolph’s family. After they are saved the other
characters regret their action but only accept Rudolph when they see what he can
do for them. Santa only appreciates the little reindeer when he sees
how he can use him for his own benefit. In summary we have an intolerant
society including Rudolph’s family that only holds him in esteem when they see
how his gift can benefit them. Did I miss anything? Oh yes, the snow
monster gets accepted in the end as well…after they pull out all his
teeth. Think how embarrassed he will be when he gets together with his
snow monster friends. Maybe they won’t let him play in all the snow
monster games!
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