How The Grinch Stole Christmas Analysis

Upon reading "How The Grinch Stole Christmas," the reader is able to identify a seemingly simple story with an sadistic antagonist, whose one goal is to ruin Christmas. However, the narrative is nothing but simple, as it's underlined with many anti-materialistic sentiments. In other words, Dr. Seuss attempts proves that personal wealth isn't rooted in materialism but rather the idea of community.

From beginning, the Grinch's greed and self-interest causes to plot for the demise of Christmas. As evident in the quotes below, the Grinch is heavily ingrained in his capitalistic goals.

"That's one thing he hated! The NOISE!" (23).
"The more the Grinch thought, "I must stop this whole thing!" "(37).
"Around the whole room, and he took every

present!" (68).

The Who's, much similar to the proletariats in terms of Marxism, demonstrates their disregard of materialistic wealth as they continue their celebration of Christmas.

Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! (123-125).

As a result this type of materialistic oppression, brought by the Grinch's actions, did little to oppress the Who's happiness which was derived from a different kind of wealth.

Specifically, their wealth was derived from their sense of community. Eventually, the Grinch soon realized, as Christmas proceeded arrive, that it did not need presents or material wealth, but rather the singing and festivities of community.

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" (133-134).

Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all! (123-124)

Thus an amicable solution to both parties, was that the Grinch join the Who's in Whoville to form greater community. In other words, the Who's gained another member to their cheerful community, and the Grinch's hatred for Christmas was changed into love, through this sense of community.

To conclude, Dr. Seuss proves that personal wealth isn't rooted in materialism but rather the idea of community. As a result, the Grinch's hatred for Christmas is not solved through stopping Christmas. Rather, his inclusion within the Who community solves his issue without oppressing the Who's. Altogether, the sentiment that can be extracted from this poem is that the absolute pursuit of self-interest with disregard for others will ultimately yield insignificant

gain.