Nuria: The Grinch

The Grinch is one of the most popular “Christmas characters”, mainly in the United States. Dr Seuss, who created this science fiction character in 1957, wrote the first book about the Grinch: How the Grinch stole Christmas.

The Grinch is known worldwide as an anti-Christmas figure. The impact of this book brought Dr Seuss into a new project and he directed a chapter for the ABC, which was called “Halloween is Grinch night”.

Dr Seuss describes him as a black, white and red giant who lives in an isolated cave near a village. But this image has changed throughout the years. Nowadays, young people will describe him as a green “monkey”, with extremely big eyes and a sinister smile. This change comes because of both the TV series and the movies.

Since Dr Seuss published the first literary work, many companies and enterprises have bought the image rights.  We can find comics, books and chapters in different series like The Simpsons or Family guy … and indeed films.

But, not only has the Grinch’s appearance been contaminated, but also the ideology underneath him has been forgotten too.

Originally, Dr Seuss wanted to portray the Grinch as a character against the extreme consumerism that Christmas brings, and also to show that the real meaning of Christmas, the spiritual meaning, has been killed.

But today’s youth don’t remember this lesson, only the 2000 film, “The Grinch”. In this movie, the namesake character (played by Jim Carrey) hates Christmas because of a childhood trauma … we can't see the criticism against society. So the most important lesson, “enjoy family and friends, not only presents”, is lost.

I find the film quite funny, but I prefer the book ☺


Thank you so  very much, Nuria, I was kind of sad because no-one was sending any stuff for the blog over Xmas and you sort of read my mind! I guess this is as suitable as a topic can be for the merry season.

I remember how much my kids and me loved the film when it was released in 2000. So, instead of the short film trailer you sent me, I've inserted below (hope you don't mind me doing so!) one of my favourite scenes, where we can also listen to the extraordinary voice of the narrator, the great Anthony Hopkins. Enjoy!

You know what ... I sometimes like to think of myself as a kind of Grinch, ha ha! 

Merry Christmas everyone!