“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Theodor Geisel

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Grinch’s Introversion
Extroversion of People of Who-ville
The Use of Archetypes
Collective Unconscious
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Carl Jung developed his theory of personality based on people’s orientation on themselves or the outer world. Such concepts as introversion, extroversion, archetypes and collective unconscious prevail in this theory. It is possible to apply the theory when considering one of the most famous children’s books How the Grinch Stole Christmas written by Theodor Geisel.

Using Jungian concepts, it is possible to analyze Grinch’s personality as well as peculiarities of the Who-ville world. It is important to note that the book is a story about the conflict between introversion and extroversion that results in the victory of extroverted people who are the basis of the human society.

Grinch’s Introversion

According to Jung, there are two major types of personalities: extrovert and introvert ones. Extroverts are eager to share their feeling and emotions with others, they also feel comfortable when they are among people interacting with them. On the contrary, introverts are people who prefer their inner world and do not like interacting with others in any way. Grinch can be regarded as a classic illustration of an introvert person.

First, the protagonist lives in a secluded place far from the rest of the people of the country “just north of Who-ville” (Geisel 3). He does not have friends and he hardly speaks to anyone. The only creature close to him is his dog Max. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that he is self-oriented and prefers his inner world to the society and communication. Notably, he often looks at the way the people of Who-ville live and he usually compares their ways to his own attitude. He uses his own values to judge the way others live.

Grinch hates any expression of happiness or joy and he also hates noise. He likes “least of all” when people are getting together and singing merry songs standing “hand-in-hand” (Geisel 10). This suggests that the main character of the book does not like communicating with others and he does not even understand the point in getting together and having fun. He prefers contemplation in his cave where he feels safe and cozy. Importantly, he later will try to change the world to adjust it to his own principles and values.

Jung’s theory holds it that there are hardly pure cases of introversion and extroversion and mental functions help to analyze any personality. According to Jung’s theory, eight mental functions that people use to adapt to the world exist. When it comes to Grinch, he can be characterized mainly by two functions, which are introverted feeling and introverted thinking. First, Grinch is eager to achieve harmony and create the world that would correspond to his values. This is an example of introverted feeling.

The character decides to “stop this whole thing” and he believes that he “MUST stop this Christmas from coming” (Geisel 11). He wants to make all the rest of the world as silent and introvert as he is. The main character does not like songs and, hence, no one should sing them. The protagonist strives for silence where all individuals will contemplate. Of course, the main reason for his actions is the desire to have silent space for his own contemplation and self-orientation. Basically, the Whos simply distract him from his inner world.

At the same time, Grinch is also characterized by introverted thinking. For instance, when Grinch sees that he has failed to ruin Christmas he starts thinking logically (in accordance with his own logic). The main character spends some time “puzzling and puzzling” when he, finally, understands what Christmas really means (Geisel 46).

Therefore, the character uses his logic that is based on his values and his previous experiences to find the causes and effects of certain actions. He does not address anyone to find an answer and he does not want to refer to the experience of other people and generations. He is oriented on his inner world that provides him with all the necessary answers.

Extroversion of People of Who-ville

As has been mentioned above, Grinch is a classic example of an introverted person and the people of Who-ville can be regarded as a classical illustration of extroversion. During Christmas, the Whos “young and old” always “sit down to a feast” and they “stand close together” and “start singing” (Geisel 10).

Clearly, these people are eager to share their emotions and they love communicating and interacting. It is possible to state that Who-ville is the country of happy extroverts. Importantly, in happy days and in the period of some turmoil, these people get together and support each other as, when they find no presents or decorations, they still manage to start the feast by singing.

The Use of Archetypes

Apart from the use of conventional types of personalities, the author also makes use of archetypes in his story. According to Jung, people share some views on certain objects or concepts. For instance, in many cultures, there are such symbols as an old wise person or the Great Mother. In the first place, the main character is an archetypical representation of the villain.

Villain is often imagined as a loner who hates the rest of the world and wants to spoil everything. Villains are often depicted as introverted persons. In people’s imagination, villains do not have friends or even family. This is a conventional and archetypical view on the nature of the good and the bad.

Another archetype in the book is Grinch’s heart. In many cultures, heart is associated with kindness, compassion, forgiveness, sociability and other characteristics of extroversion. At the beginning of the story, it is noted that Grinch has the heart that is “two sizes small” (Geisel 3). The author assumes that the small heart prevents him from feeling the spirit of Christmas and being as extroverted as the rest of the people of Who-ville.

On the contrary, at the end of the book, the main character’s heart grows “three sizes” and he returns all the presents and trimmings (Geisel 48). More so, he participates in the festivities and “HE IMSELF … ! / The Grinch carved the roast Beast” (Geisel 50). This means that his big heart makes him kind and happy and extroverted as the rest of the people pf Who-ville are.

Collective Unconscious

Finally, it is possible to trace Jungian concept of collective unconscious in the book. As has been mentioned above, there are archetypes. They are developed in terms of the culture of people and the scope of these beliefs and archetypes was called collective unconscious.

For instance, the shadow is seen as something dangerous and evil, while light is something desirable and safe. The book is based on a very specific concept that appeared in the United States in the middle of the 20^th century. It can be regarded as a part or form of collective unconscious.

The American culture developed quite a specific attitude towards Christmas. It became the most popular holiday that was associated with beautiful decorations and abundance of presents. Thus, it is possible to admit that the vast majority of Americans see Christmas as a holiday full of presents, decorations and entertainment.

The author stresses that this view could hide the real value of the popular holiday. Interestingly, the author also reveals an optimistic view on the American attitude towards Christmas. Since Grinch and the people of Who-ville understand that Christmas “doesn’t come from a store” but it “means a little bit more”, it is clear that the author believes that Americans have the same attitude (Geisel 46).

Conclusion

On balance, it is possible to note that the book provides a view on the eternal conflict between introversion and extroversion. The author creates the protagonist who is a classical illustration of an introverted person living in the world full of extroverts. The book is also full of archetypes that are quite typical for children’s books as they reflect major concepts present in a specific culture.

The author explores the way Americans see Christmas and it is clear that he is optimistic, as he believes that people still focus on the spirit of Christmas rather than presents and decorations. Of course, it is also clear that introversion is seen as something worse than extroversion as, at the end of the book, Grinch becomes an extroverted person and is fully integrated into the world of Who-vill.

Works Cited

Geisel, Theodor. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! New York, NY: Random House, 1985. Print.

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