Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Charlie Brown and Existentialism
After watching The Great Pumpkin on Friday, you should have made some connections between Charlie Brown and existentialism. What are some of the strongest existential ideals that are portrayed in the film? Feel free to use the following article for reference https://philosophynow.org/issues/44/Sartre_and_Peanuts (but cite it if you do).
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Despite its innocent appearance, Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin features many existentialist ideas when watched closely. As confirmed by https://philosophynow.org/issues/44/Sartre_and_Peanuts, one of the ways The Great Pumpkin portrays existentialism is by not showing adults in the movie. The adults are not there so the children may make their own decisions for themselves, in ways that will benefit them, without the input of others. Without parents, the Peanuts must identify right and wrong for themselves. The Great Pumpkin also shows the struggles of existence which the children must overcome for the time being, with no concern of the past or future, much like existentialists live.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article (Sartre & Peanuts), Charlie Brown in general is definitely considered an existentialist. Nathan Radke explains that the trials and tribulations of the little round-headed kid provide deep and moving illustrations of existentialism. Like the existential human in a world of silent or absent deities, Schulz’s characters exist in a world of silent or absent adult authority.
ReplyDeleteReading the article Sartre and Peanuts clarified great connections of Charlie Brown to existentialism. In Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin there are many examples of existentialist ways. For example, in every Charlie Brown film, including the Great Pumpkin, there are no parents shown. This depends on the view of the viewer, however, I felt that it was to show the children making their own decisions. If parents were shown they would be controlling every move the children made. However, showing the independence of Charlie Brown and his friends, linked to the existentialist idea of human being's are responsible for their own decisions and consequences if they occur.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article Satre and Peanuts, I realized that "Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin" ties to the idelogy of existentialism in many way. On example of this is the absence of any adult figure in the movie. Charlie and his friends are free to go whereever they please witout restricitions. In addition, Charlie and his friends are responsible for their own actions because the movie showcases their independence and the fact that they can simpy do as they please.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Nathan Radke when he says "Charlie Brown is an existentialist" in the Satre & Peanuts article. One example of this is the fact that adults are not shown meaning Charlie Brown and his friends are not being told what to do by their parents and other adults. With the lack of adult presence it shows that the children have to make their own decisions for themselves. This is a key example that all the Charlie Brown films present existentialist ideas.
ReplyDeleteDuring The Great Pumpkin, there were many parts that shown existentialism. The main one, for example was Linus and his attachment towards the "great pumpkin". While the rest of the rest of the crew went on to trick or treat, Linus used his night to wait. This shows existentialism, because of the large amount of value he placed on a single pumpkin. Although disappointed at the end, Linus showed true characteristics of an existentialist at a young age.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching The Great Pumpkin and reading the article the main aspect of existentialism is that there are no adult figures in any of their lives. As a result of the lack of adult knowledge the Peanuts are forced to make their own life choices by themselves. Another big factor is that Linus had a very strong attachment to The Great Pumpkin, this portrayed existentialism because he put a large value on the pumpkin even though the Great Pumpkin never came.
ReplyDeleteThe 1966 animated televison special "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" may seem like a children-oriented show, but there are some deeper meanings present under the surface, such as existentialism. Linus places enough value on the so-called Great Pumpkin to the point that he waits for it to rise out of the pumpkin patch every Halloween, even though it never does. He tries to convince the other kids that the Great Pumpkin is real, but no one believes him since every year it never shows up. He also chose to stay behind and wait for the Great Pumpkin instead of joining his friends for their Halloween party, revealing his single-mindedness and his refusal to go with the crowd.
ReplyDeleteIn "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown," Linus goes against all of society, and also places much value on his supposed Great Pumpkin. No one believes him, they all go trick-or-treating, making faces at him along the way. But Linus doesn't care, he still goes against society anyway, staying and waiting at their pumpkin patch, when he could be trick-or-treating. He places so much value on the pumpkin, that he must stray from society just to see it, even though it doesn't really exist. The Great Pumpkin truly shows existentialism, through Linus going against society, and putting much value on the Great Pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the film and reading the article, I noticed some strong ties between the movie and existentialism. According to the article Sartre & Peanuts written by Nathan Radke in 2004, one of the biggest signs of existentialism is the absence of adult figures for the characters to look up to. In the Charlie Brown movies, if a parent speaks, it is usually blurred and unrecognizable. Without parents, the children go through life alone, helping eachother through the tough times. Another example of existentialism is seen in Charlie Brown as he attempts to kick Lucy’s football time after time. While every previous time she has pulled the football away, Charlie Brown does not think about the past and lives in the present; he hopes she will change and let him kick the ball. Charlie Brown does not let her previous behavior influence his thoughts. As one looks closer into movies such as the Charlie Brown collection, one will find numerous ties to existentialism.
ReplyDeleteThe film, "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown", contains a myriad of examples of Existentialist ideas. When Linus' friends attempt to stop him from staying in the pumpkin patch all night, he remains steadfast in his beliefs. Although his sister tried to influence his decision by stating that the Great Pumpkin would not arrive, he had his own thoughts. This is very much like an existentialist because they do not let what others believe have an effect on their lives.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown", the characters exhibit certain existentialist traits. Although Linus seems to simply just be excited to see a magic pumpkin, he himself displays existentialist ideas. Although his friends wanted to go trick or treating, so they have candy for the future, Linus decides to stay and see the Great Pumpkin. He does not care to have candy for the future, he wants to live in the moment and see the Great Pumpkin that night.
ReplyDeleteThough "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is a child tv program, when actually analyzed we are able to see certain aspects of existentialist. The fact that like every episode of Charlie Brown, parents are not shown shows that the children are independence and take responsibility for all of their actions. Another existentialist aspect is the fact that Linus was abandon by The Great Pumpkin. "...it doesn't matter if he exists or not. The important thing is that Linus is abandoned and alone in his pumpkin patch" (Nathan Radke). This challenged his beliefs in the pumpkin just as existentialist challenge many other believes.
ReplyDeleteThe program "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", includes existentialist ideas and viewers may not even realize it. The main thing is that there is no guardian present throughout the program. The children have free reign to do whatever they choose without alteration from an adult guardian. Another example is instead of going out trick or treating with the other kids, Linus spent the night waiting for the Great pumpkin, disregarding society's wish for kids to go trick or treating.
ReplyDeleteThere is not an adult figure which shows free choice by the children. Existentialism supports free choice. Also, Linus waited for the pumpkin he was told would never appear instead of trick or treating. Existentialism supports going with what you agree with.
ReplyDelete"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" displays existentialist ideas and beliefs throughout all its episodes because first off, the children are free-spirited and always do as they please. But in this special, existentialism is shown when Linus decided he rather stay behind to wait for the magic pumpkin, rather than going trick or treating which is what society expects of him.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," I was able to make a few connections between the film and the major themes of existentialism. I believe the biggest and most obvious connection was Linus' attachment to the Great Pumpkin, or at least the idea of it. Every Halloween, Linus waits for a visit from the Great Pumpkin or responses to his letters. Linus never receives neither, but he still stands by the idea of the Great Pumpkin. Common sense points to the fact that the Great Pumpkin does not exist, but from an existentialist point of view, it does not matter. Which is how Linus feels towards the Great Pumpkin.
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