Now this might come as a surprise...but last night as Kristine and I were watching the Rankin & Bass classic Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Kristine made an observation that had never really struck me before. That classic Christmas show revealed that bullying was something that has been happening for years. Rudolph first aired in 1964, 47 years ago. What this movie shows is that both Rudolph and Hermie were victims of bullying. But not just from their peers, but in Rudolph's case, from his father, and even Santa.
Yes, I said it! Santa was a bully. If you've never noticed it before, in this movie Santa is pretty much a grouch. When the Elves practice their song for him all Santa can say is "Needs work." When it's revealed to all the residents in Christmas Town that Rudolph has a red nose Santa's only comment is to tell Donner (Rudolph's father) that he ought to be ashamed of himself. Yes, that's right, Santa tells Rudolph's father that he should be ASHAMED to have a son who is different. And the coach (Blitzen) encourages this bullying behavior. Instead of being the adult and discouraging this behavior, Blitzen not only partakes, but then declares that Rudolph will no longer be allowed to participate in the reindeer games.
In today's society, Rudolph might have resorted to violence towards himself or the other residents of Christmas Town. When Santa came to Rudolph and asked for help to get through the storm on Christmas Eve, Rudolph COULD have told Santa what to do with his sleigh. Instead, he took the high road...he led the sleigh..and he did indeed "go down in history".
Is it wrong to psychoanalyze Rankin & Bass?
Yes, I said it! Santa was a bully. If you've never noticed it before, in this movie Santa is pretty much a grouch. When the Elves practice their song for him all Santa can say is "Needs work." When it's revealed to all the residents in Christmas Town that Rudolph has a red nose Santa's only comment is to tell Donner (Rudolph's father) that he ought to be ashamed of himself. Yes, that's right, Santa tells Rudolph's father that he should be ASHAMED to have a son who is different. And the coach (Blitzen) encourages this bullying behavior. Instead of being the adult and discouraging this behavior, Blitzen not only partakes, but then declares that Rudolph will no longer be allowed to participate in the reindeer games.
In today's society, Rudolph might have resorted to violence towards himself or the other residents of Christmas Town. When Santa came to Rudolph and asked for help to get through the storm on Christmas Eve, Rudolph COULD have told Santa what to do with his sleigh. Instead, he took the high road...he led the sleigh..and he did indeed "go down in history".
Is it wrong to psychoanalyze Rankin & Bass?
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