The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

The Grinch who stole Christmas can be explained using that Archetypal form of criticism. Archetypal criticism focuses on the use of mythology and takes on a very creative aspect to literature. In the Grinch who stole Christmas, the Grinch is the antagonist who possesses an active hatred towards Christmas and the citizens of Who-ville.There are many questionable sections in the poem that distinguish it as a myth rather than reality. To begin with, Santa Clause and the Grinch are characters of the imagination, used in a mythical sense and never brought to reality. Secondly, the author says â€Å"THENHe loaded some bags And some old empty sacks On a ramshakle sleigh And he hitched up old Max.†This means that the Grinch was intending to use his dog, max, as a reindeer. It would be physically impossible for a dog that small to hull around a sled filled with Christmas items for hours. Max was also expected to convoy the sleigh and heavy Christmas items â€Å"Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mount Crumpit†, which is a physically impossible task for a dog. Thereafter, the Grinch was expected to climb in and out of chimneys all night, stealing Christmas presents as well as trees. This task is impossible, only one that a fictional character would be able to accomplish. Finally, the author says â€Å"That the Grinch's small heart Grew three sizes that day!† It would be impossible for a heart to grow and shrink based on the amount of love and care that is shown. As you can see, the Grinch was meant to be portrayed in a mythical sense. There are many flaws that do not occur with in reality. This poem is meant to be a myth to teach children not to be like the Grinch, and to love and accept everything.