“ …the Grinch…” By Dr. Seuss How a Little Understanding Can Change Even the Coldest Heart

1. “…the Grinch…”By Dr. SeussHow a Little Understanding Can Change Even the Coldest Heart

2. EXPOSITION “…The Grinch…” takes place in the little fictional town of Who-ville, inhabited mainly by creatures called “Whos.” The Whos are very peaceful, friendly, and family-oriented creatures who especially love the holiday season. They celebrate the season by decorating their town to the fullest extent, buying one another lavish gifts, and cooking the most wonderful foods, mainly the roast beast. One Who we get to know in particular is Cindy-Lou Who, a sweet little girl and the youngest of the Whos. Cindy Lou is, as most small children and adults alike are during the holiday season, eagerly anticipating the events that come along with it. Meanwhile, north of Who-ville in a cave on Mount Crumpit, lives an individual known as the Grinch. The Grinch ranks right up there with Ebenezer Scrooge when it comes to the crankiest, scowling holiday grumps in literature. He hates the holiday season, and no one really knows why. Some theories were that his shoes are too tight, his head isn’t screwed on right, or the fact that his heart may be two sizes too small. The Grinch has been annoyed by the Whos’ holiday celebrations for 53 years. The Grinch hated the Whos and their holiday celebrations. Along with the Grinch is the third major character of the story. Max, the Grinch’s dog, is incredibly loyal, loves the Grinch, but also is intrigued by the love, joy, and warmth expressed by the Whos who live down below Mount Crumpit in Who-ville.

3. INCITING INCIDENT The conflict that sets “… the Grinch…” into motion is when the Grinch decides that he has had enough after 53 years of putting up with the Whos’ holiday cheer. Their infernal singing, decorations, gifts, feasts, and overall happiness simply make him miserable. The Grinch decides that he will find a way to keep the holidays from coming. The Grinch develops a plan to thwart the Whos’ celebration.

4. RISING ACTION The Grinch made himself a homemade Santa costume. The Grinch proceeds to put his plan for thwarting the holiday season into effect. His first dastardly acts are to disturbingly don a homemade Santa costume and create a makeshift sleigh. Poor Max is fitted with a headdress of deer antlers, tied to his little skull with a string. No Dasher, Dancer, or Prancer, just Max the dog pulling the Grinch’s sleigh.

5. RISING ACTION CONTINUED In order to steal the Whos’ Yuletide glee, the Grinch makes his way down Mount Crumpit to Who-ville, “pulled” by his trusty steed, Max. Here he will “steal” the holidays from the big Whos and little Whos. The Grinch slithers down chimneys with empty bags, stealing the Whos’ presents, ornaments, their log for the fire, and their food (even the roast beast and the Who hash!). He loads all of the contraband onto his ramshackle sleigh with hardly a glitch. In fact just when we think he is caught in the middle of his treacherous act, the Grinch uses his weasel-like charm to convince Cindy Lou Who that he is indeed Santa Claus, and he is not stealing the Whos’ holiday tree, rather just fixing it. Cindy Lou Who fell victim to the Grinch’s greasy charm. The Grinch, all loaded up with holiday goodies, mushes Max up Mount Crumpit to the very peak. It is quite a load for poor Max to haul up the mountain, but he manages to get that mangy Grinch to the top. Poor Max had to pull the loaded sleigh to the top of Mt. Crumpit!

6. CLIMAX It is very ironic that the highest point of intensity in “… the Grinch…” occurs when the Grinch and Max reach the top of the mountain. It is here where the Grinch will seal the deal on evil doings. As he prepares to dump the contents of the sleigh, the Grinch waits to hear the sobs of the Whos when they realize that all of their holiday goodies have disappeared. What the Grinch hears, however, shocks him. The Whos are not sobbing at all, rather singing. The Grinch realizes that he didn’t steal their cheer, for it is not about presents, ornaments, and feasts, but something more important, love. The Grinch waited intently to hear the sobbing of the Whos, but he has a change of heart when he realizes the absence of gifts and ornaments does not ruin their spirit.

7. FALLING ACTION The Grinch then has a change of heart, both literally and figuratively. His heart grows to a tremendous size, and his attitude changes regarding the Whos, who are not the materialistic wienies he thought they were. The Grinch, upon realizing how he misread the Whos, is determined to return the Whos’ holiday items. This is not as easy as it seems, for the sleigh teeters atop Mount Crumpit. The Grinch, with his new outlook on life and strong beating heart saves the sleigh and makes his way to Who-ville with a much more appreciated Max at his side. A new sense of love makes the Grinch’s heart grow, and he has the strength to save the Whos’ holiday goodies.

8. RESOLUTION The Grinch returns all of the Whos’ items and joins in their celebration. He has a new outlook on the Whos, their joyful nature, their celebrations, and life itself. The Grinch, sitting next to Cindy Lou Who, is even asked to carve the roast beast. The Grinch returns the Whos’ items and celebrated with them.

9. DENOUEMENT The Grinch grew to love and appreciate the Whos. It is not put in writing, but an assumption can be made through interpreting the characters’ actions at the end of the story that the Grinch and the Whos live in peace and harmony and joyfully celebrate the holidays together.

10. THE MESSAGE OF THE STORY IS... ...The Grinch… teaches readers a valuable lesson about diversity and the need for all of us to understand others’ cultures before we judge them. It became obvious that the Grinch’s hatred for the Whos was based on his own ignorance as to why they celebrated the holiday season the way they did. After fleecing the Whos of the material possessions he associated with their happiness, he realized their loving spirit and thankfulness was the reason they celebrated with so much passion. Only then did he learn that he was wrong about the Whos, and he wanted to be a part of their joyous and appreciative celebration. Before we form our own opinions of other cultures, races, and religions, we should better educate ourselves so that we can learn to appreciate them instead of criticizing, or worse, hating them for no justifiable reason. We must educate ourselves and appreciate others’ Differences if we are to live in a successful society.