How Did Linus Get It So Wrong? – IOTW Report

How Did Linus Get It So Wrong?

Saturday, 27 October 2018, 19:30 Dr. Tar Uncategorized 45

ABC aired “It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” last night and I took the occasion to reacquaint myself with this 52-year-old holiday special.

The program was a follow up to the highly acclaimed “A Charlie Brown Christmas” which aired in 1965.  As a kid I most enjoyed Snoopy donning his WWI flying ace helmet and taking to the air in his dog house, but the program has a deeper message. Here

Linus plays a pivotal role in both seasonal classics that brings out a disturbing inconsistency in the character. In the Christmas program the blanket-obsessed little brother displays wisdom beyond his years about the “true meaning of Christmas.” In the Halloween special, he’s an annoying fanatic preaching the doctrine of “the Great Pumpkin.”

giphy

 

Linus makes us all feel regret for buying into the commercialism of the season, when he gives his one person soliloquy on an empty stage about Christ birth in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Less then a year later he’s trying to convert others to sit in a pumpkin patch await a Santa Claus substitute to reward the deserving.

When Linus explains why his Halloween idol failed to make an appearance it’ all too reminiscent of those clinging to socialism 50 years later. At the end of the program, instead of learning the futility of his Halloween cult, Linus instead insist that next year he’ll get it right and the Great Pumpkin will appear. It’s eerily close to declarations that socialism never really failed, since those who have tried it hadn’t been real socialist. I was just surprised Linus didn’t accuse the other Peanut characters of ruining his rendezvous with the holy squash with  their insincerity and call for them all to be liquidated. It’s creepy how this character went from advocating “peace on earth” to devotion to some gift-giving squash.

 

45 Comments on How Did Linus Get It So Wrong?

  2. good observation Dr. T … always thought Linus was the most philosophical Schultz character. this inconsistency always bothered me … in the end, we are all fallible human beings

    Schultz was always my favorite cartoonist for wisdom …. until Watterson

    12

  3. Um…… Linus is a fictional character. It’s entertainment. It’s supposed to be funny.

    Further, the Linus character depends on his SINCERITY to draw the great pumpkin in.

    It’s satire of grown ups. It’s always been satire. Please stop politicizing every fuggin’ thing under the sun and quit watching cartoons.

    14

  8. @Aaron Burr (at 7:51 pm): Think nothing of it. Anybody would be in a foul mood after all the bad press you got following that Hamilton dustup. Besides, everybody gets a bu- uh, I mean – a prickly object – under their saddle from time to time.

    😉

    11

  11. @Aaron Burr (at 8:14 pm): Initially, I had no idea what you were talking about. This sale is certainly news to me. How could we, as a country, have let this happen?

    Oh, the shame of it all!

    8

  14. Thank you Jimmy, for steering the convo away from Canada… hate them so much….

    Anyway, least favorite fictional characters..

    1. Mr. Spacely
    2. Willis
    3. the fat chick always stealing screen time away from Tootie
    4. entire cast of Happy days
    5. “baby” anything animated
    6. ALF
    7. anybody not drunk Richard Dawson hosting Family Feud
    8. Mrs. Kravitz
    9. Magnum P.I. (sorry ladies, I’m a guy. Watching that show was like watching “Finding Bigfoot”. That Selleck guy is as hairy as snuffalupagus)
    10. Worf. The Klingon who got his ass kicked by every species in the galaxy.

    5

  15. I don’t mean to hijack this topic and I don’t want to bring anyone down but I don’t have any where else to post this.

    My dad suddenly passed away last night.
    He was estranged from me because of my meddling mother. I’ve wanted to see him very badly but am in a codependent situation with my mom so I was unable to see him. Only saw him twice in 4 years.

    I feel terribly distraught and dead inside. I’m posting this because I need prayer please. Thank you.

    24

  18. Titty bitch or Yappy bitch?

    Wait…. should probably narrow that down some more… they all yapped a lot… even that reading rainbow guy…

    The bald captain guy played a bald knight guy in “Excalibur”…. that was kinda’ coo…. he was in I Claudius too. I think he played a balding guy…

    Mainly I remember that show had a big build up to some sort of intergalactic ass kicking…. that always got peacefully resolved somehow… sigh.

    5

  19. 11. Maude
    12. the cast of Friends
    13. Arnold Horsesass
    14. Garfield
    15. Pokieman characters
    16. Ultra Boy
    17. Olive Oyl
    18. Barney
    19. Tele Tubbies
    20. Ken ~ it’s a Lipstick Lesbo Circus … get your androgynous ass out!

    7

  23. I myself lost my Father, Col. Granpa, not too long ago. It’ll take about a month for the shock to wear off.

    Also, I’ve decided to upgrade your prayer to a lit candle in front of the Virgin Mary tomorrow.

    Because, class.

    7

  27. @ Aaron… our company store catholic church is only open Saturday evenings from 6 to 9 pm….how do I keep the candle lit?…the methodists won’t help….The Church of God that is what the rest of you heathens should worship is only open from 10 to 12 on Sunday morning……I guess I’ll light my own candle for Chuffed….be well Chuffed…and be strong….

    5

  28. Steal a pumpkin candle… I dunno… we just take one from a box and leave a buck or fiddy cents. They last a good 4 hours… at least I think they do… I’ve never hung around long enough to see them go out.

    That’s kinda’ the point, you light the candle so it keeps your prayer going while you’re free to spend the rest of the day eating ice cream and smoking cee-gars.

    5

  29. Very sad news Chuffed. Thinking of you. (((Hugs))) 🙏😥

    I’ve had a rocky relationship with my Dad over the years. He’s mellowed with age but still knows how to push my buttons-and visa versa. Crazy how that is after all these years.

    7

  30. Everyone is very kind, I’m choked up beyond expressing myself.

    I’ve cried more today then I even thought possible, and I’m a real crier.

    The realization that my dad won’t walk me down the aisle when I get married , that he won’t meet my children, hurts so deeply. He was a dramatic guy, but a big presence and had the nicest, mustacheist (that’s a word) smile.

    I’m in between hysterics at this point, trying to find calm, pretty much begging God to make this pain stop.

    Thanks again, friends. The prayers do help so so much.

    10

  32. @ Chuffed….How many weird uncles that you never met would you want to walk you down the aisle…..go ahead, name a number, we’ll be there and some of us gots mustachios….Hell, I can bring a dead goat on roller skates….

    6

  34. @ Chuffed – My deepest sympathies.

    My dad did not make my wedding or me boys birth, gone when I was 23, breath deep.

    My boys NOW know him regardless of the here, now and then. And YOUR children will too…you’ll talk about him one day to them.

    Do you have some photos of you and your dad?

    Have them copied onto paper and cut up the images and make yourself a collage one day.

    Or, if you know photoshop do that.

    Prayers to you. Do you have brothers or sisters GOOD friends to talk to?

    My mom is gone three years now and she was 94!

    IT SUCKS regardless of age timing or whatever.

    I think music helps…

    Best,
    GoCJG

    7

  35. I’m 25 and a half.
    I haven’t really seen him since I was 22.
    The grief I feel most strongly is that I haven’t seen him and that I let my codependency stop me from trying often.

    I know that he’s happier now and finally not in pain (he had some health issues, but not exactly life threatening or so I thought…), and he’s with God, who loves him much more then I ever could.

    I have 6 siblings, but live with the youngest two (most economically smart thing to do right now). They’re devastated, so I’m trying to be there for them. It’s just hard because I feel too strong perhaps, my emotions are a whirlwind. Hard not to get carried away.

    Your heartfelt message really helped me clear my head a bit, thank you.

    5

  37. Dearest Chuffed — It’s good to be strong at these times in order to help others, but don’t be too alarmed at your own strong grief, and let it be expressed too.

    I’m so sorry your dad has passed on. Death is never convenient, especially if it is sudden or unexpected. All those weird feelings you’re having is shock. If things seem surreal it’s because they are.

    Love,
    AbigailAdams
    (been there too)

    6

  38. @chuffed-beyond-words: In my experience, it’s not things I did that I regret most, but rather the things I didn’t do, so this is a perfectly natural reaction on your part. Try to concentrate on what your dad would have wanted. I don’t think he would have wanted for you to do a lot of self-blaming for the situation between the two of you, but rather to get through the grieving process and then move on with only fond memories of the times you had together. I didn’t know him of course, but that is what I would wish for my children, regardless of the relationship between us. Always remember that your father loved you and would only want happiness for you, and you will get through this.

    All my best wishes to you during this difficult time.

    10

  39. chuffed- beyond -words. I am so sorry for the sudden loss of your father; may our Father above welcome him with open arms,and may you find peace in the coming and hard days ahead.
    My advice to you is to find one of your true friends that you can talk to,one that will listen to You and let you tell your story with out judgement,you will know who that person is in your heart.
    Love and prayers Geoff C.
    P.S. We all are here also.

    5

  40. Same ole story just revamped and told with different Peanuts characters.

    CB never gets to see the football sail through the air driven by his kick. And Linus never gets to see the Great Pumpkin appear in the patch as a reward for his patient expectant waiting.

    Pretty much what the networks did with Gilligan’s Island and F-Troop. Same ole story – just characters with different names in different isolated locations. Otherwise the same. The good natured little buddy with his larger boss sidekick – isolated from the rest of the world in their isolated locations. Facing some new challenge every episode.

    2

  41. I’ll be 58 in a week. I grew up on those Charlie Brown specials, along with all the rest of them…Rudolph…Frosty and so on. In short, Linus was not portrayed as “crazy” in the Christmas special, as a matter of fact, his heart felt explanation of the birth of Christ brought love and compassion to the children. They prop up the weak and support them. Glory to the newborn King !
    Now there is a stark difference with the halloween special where Linus is hellbent on capturing a glimpse of “The Great Pumpkin.” I believe it could represent the importance of the 1st commandment. Linus is “dragged” from the pumpkin patch muttering like a liberal pundit on election night 2016.
    So can you see where they differ ? These “cartoons” reinforced my belief in God. I believe the 2 specials actually give us clarity, not confusion.

    4

  42. @ Arron Burr – Those underhanded Nova Scotians stole the Peanuts gang.

    Same thing with the pink battery sales-bunny.
    In the USA we have the Energizer Bunny. But in Europe and Australia Duracell owns the rights to the Pink Bunny Sales-bunny. With their Duracell Bunny.

    Actually Duracell was first with their bunny getting the job in 1973, and the Energizer Bunny getting the duty in USA in 1988.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duracell_Bunny .

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energizer_Bunny .

    However, our bunny has the cooler look and name. But I guess we were the underhanded bunch in this story. Swiping the character, changing his looks a bit and giving him a different name.

    1

  43. Ah no, chuffed. You have my deepest sympathies. I hope you managed to get some rest last night. Comfort your siblings and be comforted in turn. Prayers for all you you.

    2

Comments are closed.

iOTWreport.com ©2024 ----- iOTWreport is not responsible for the content of comments. All opinions in comments are solely the commenter's.