Welcome Great Pumpkin!

Sydney Lee

Since its 1966 premiere, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” created by Charles M. Schulz as part of the Peanuts franchise, has remained a beloved Halloween and fall classic with its nostalgia, humor and wisdom. It has the classic yet simplistic Peanuts animation style and lighthearted charm. However, the story revolves around the deeper human experiences that we, as an audience, can relate to. The Peanuts gang goes through Halloween traditions, while teaching that hope and belief can be a source of pain, but also a sign of strength.

The story mostly surrounds Linus, who devotes his Halloween night to being in a pumpkin patch, waiting for the Great Pumpkin (an entity similar to Santa Claus), rather than doing the typical Halloween traditions that everyone else does. Even though his faith in the Great Pumpkin is mocked by his friends and his sister Lucy, he never stops believing. As the night passes and the Great Pumpkin does not show, Linus feels crushing disappointment. Yet, he continues to have faith, a representation of Schulz overall message: There is heartbreak and beauty in being steadfast in your beliefs. The film celebrates Linus’s ability to hope, even when mocked and in the face of failure.

Charlie Brown’s story is similar. He decides to dress up as a ghost, but he cuts too many holes in the sheet, which causes him some trouble. After receiving a bag full of rocks instead of candy while trick-or-treating because of his costume, Charlie Brown feels let down by life’s unfairness. When all of the friends share what they received, he sounds resigned (but really funny), “I got a rock.” The audience learns that failure and frustration are unavoidable parts of growing up. Being able to maintain humility and humor during those challenges is its own form of courage.

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” shares the importance of having hope, whilst enduring when the outcome isn’t what you imagined.things don’t go as planned. Decades later, the film continues to teach audiences of all ages that sincerity, resilience and optimism will always be important. If you are looking for a cozy, comfort film this fall, please watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”