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rootbeer1Why is it, you may ask, that I identify with Linus Van Pelt? Maybe because of all his good qualities . . .
Well-read. Linus is familiar with difficult adult authors (often Russian), yet also reads comic magazines suitable to his age bracket (probably around 5). He is well-rounded, with extensive knowledge of literature, theology and philosophy, and can quote aptly from the Bible.
Imagination. Looking up at the sky, all Charlie Brown can see in the clouds is a ducky and a horsie. Linus can see detailed historical tableaus, and scenes from literature and mythology.
Competence. Charlie Brown struggles to use a pen to write his pen-pal, and offers to teach Linus how to use a pen, despite his own splotchy, inky penmanship. Linus takes the pen and modestly whips out beautiful gothic letters on the first try.
Physically fit. Linus and Snoopy have a terrific short stop-second base partnership. Linus is one of the better players on Charlie Brown's team (unlike his sister, Lucy, who plays in the outfield). When Charlie Brown has Little Leaguer's Elbow and has to stop pitching, Linus takes his place and actually wins some games.
Self-awareness. Without his security blanket, Linus is neurotic, nervous and upset. With it, he is calm and capable. He knows the blanket is a quick fix, but he doesn't care, because it works for him. The power he invests in his blanket (despite the disapproval of his blanket-hating grandmother and sister) enables him to live a happy life.
Resourcefullness. Linus can wield his blanket as a weapon, or wear it as a shepherd costume for a Christmas pageant.
Fallibility. With all he has going for him, Linus isn't perfect, which only makes him more recognizably human. He still believes in the Great Pumpkin, who has yet to reward him for the sincerity of his pumpkin patch. He is sometimes sad for no reason ("I feel depressed . . . it's raining outside and the world reeks of despair . . .even my cold cereal doth taste like wormwood." Lucy: "How depressed can you get?").
Good attitude. Despite the Great Pumpkin's continued indifference, Linus never loses faith, and vows that next year his pumpkin patch will be even more sincere.
Pleasing personality. Linus is eager to please, whether to bring a grocery sack of eggshells to Miss Othmar so his class can make igloos, or to serve as a human science project ("The Security Blanket") for his sister Lucy (who wins first prize).
Cute, but modest. Unlike Pigpen, Linus takes care in his appearance, combing his hair and appearing in a child's suit on numerous occasions. Yet no one would call him vain, and he discourages the attentions of Charlie Brown's younger sister Sally, who calls him her Sweet Babboo. (OK, also Gay.)
Friendliness. Charlie Brown often feels like he has no friends, but he can usually count on Linus. When Franklin wanders into the Peanuts neighborhood, Linus introduces himself (and takes the opportunity to proselytize about the Great Pumpkin).
Theme song (television only). Vince Guaraldi's terrific "Linus and Lucy" has been covered by numerous jazz musicians.
Kindness. Despite Lucy's meanness, when she is depressed ("My life is a drag . . . I'm completely fed up . . "I've never felt so low in my life") Linus tells her to count her blessings. "What do I have to be thankful for?" "Well, for one thing, you have a little brother who loves you . . ." -- reducing her to tears.
Maybe I don't identify with everything Linus is, but I wouldn't mind being more like him, or having more friends like him.
Well-read. Linus is familiar with difficult adult authors (often Russian), yet also reads comic magazines suitable to his age bracket (probably around 5). He is well-rounded, with extensive knowledge of literature, theology and philosophy, and can quote aptly from the Bible.
Imagination. Looking up at the sky, all Charlie Brown can see in the clouds is a ducky and a horsie. Linus can see detailed historical tableaus, and scenes from literature and mythology.
Competence. Charlie Brown struggles to use a pen to write his pen-pal, and offers to teach Linus how to use a pen, despite his own splotchy, inky penmanship. Linus takes the pen and modestly whips out beautiful gothic letters on the first try.
Physically fit. Linus and Snoopy have a terrific short stop-second base partnership. Linus is one of the better players on Charlie Brown's team (unlike his sister, Lucy, who plays in the outfield). When Charlie Brown has Little Leaguer's Elbow and has to stop pitching, Linus takes his place and actually wins some games.
Self-awareness. Without his security blanket, Linus is neurotic, nervous and upset. With it, he is calm and capable. He knows the blanket is a quick fix, but he doesn't care, because it works for him. The power he invests in his blanket (despite the disapproval of his blanket-hating grandmother and sister) enables him to live a happy life.
Resourcefullness. Linus can wield his blanket as a weapon, or wear it as a shepherd costume for a Christmas pageant.
Fallibility. With all he has going for him, Linus isn't perfect, which only makes him more recognizably human. He still believes in the Great Pumpkin, who has yet to reward him for the sincerity of his pumpkin patch. He is sometimes sad for no reason ("I feel depressed . . . it's raining outside and the world reeks of despair . . .even my cold cereal doth taste like wormwood." Lucy: "How depressed can you get?").
Good attitude. Despite the Great Pumpkin's continued indifference, Linus never loses faith, and vows that next year his pumpkin patch will be even more sincere.
Pleasing personality. Linus is eager to please, whether to bring a grocery sack of eggshells to Miss Othmar so his class can make igloos, or to serve as a human science project ("The Security Blanket") for his sister Lucy (who wins first prize).
Cute, but modest. Unlike Pigpen, Linus takes care in his appearance, combing his hair and appearing in a child's suit on numerous occasions. Yet no one would call him vain, and he discourages the attentions of Charlie Brown's younger sister Sally, who calls him her Sweet Babboo. (OK, also Gay.)
Friendliness. Charlie Brown often feels like he has no friends, but he can usually count on Linus. When Franklin wanders into the Peanuts neighborhood, Linus introduces himself (and takes the opportunity to proselytize about the Great Pumpkin).
Theme song (television only). Vince Guaraldi's terrific "Linus and Lucy" has been covered by numerous jazz musicians.
Kindness. Despite Lucy's meanness, when she is depressed ("My life is a drag . . . I'm completely fed up . . "I've never felt so low in my life") Linus tells her to count her blessings. "What do I have to be thankful for?" "Well, for one thing, you have a little brother who loves you . . ." -- reducing her to tears.
Maybe I don't identify with everything Linus is, but I wouldn't mind being more like him, or having more friends like him.
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no subject
Date: 2003-09-13 07:42 am (UTC)Vince Guaraldi's music always takes me back, I have the David Benoit version.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-13 10:09 am (UTC)