Friday, October 28, 2011

Killer Blogfest - Favorite Antagonist

If you're looking for my Spooktacular Giveaway, click here.
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I wanted to pick Darth Vadar but he’s a cinema villain, not a literary one.

Instead I picked the Grinch. (Some might argue that he’s not an antagonist, that he’s a villain protagonist, but I like to think that little Cindy Lou Who is the protagonist.)
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I’m a sucker for villains that can carry the weight of the story on their shoulders, that are fully formed and multi-dimensional, and that change over the course of the story.

The Grinch tries to ruin Christmas. Seriously, who does that? Who doesn’t like Christmas?
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"It could be because his head wasn't screwed on just right, or his shoes were too tight, or perhaps, the best reason of all was that because his heart was two sizes too small."
So he steals from the good people of Whoville, taking their presents and decorations and feast.

How the do the Whos react on Christmas morning? "They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do! 
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two then the Whos down in Who-ville will all cry Boo-Hoo!"

Nope. They sing. Their hearts are still full with Christmas joy.

Their love dramatically transforms the Grinch. His heart grows three times larger, and he grows to love the Whos. He even carves the roast beast.
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The best villains are the ones that touch us and change us. The Grinch is one of the first villains we are introduced to and has a lasting effect on us through the years.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

I love the Grinch! Cool blog. I'm a new follower. :-)

Angela Cothran said...

He is great! You don't often see an antag with a positive character arch--he's a great example of one.

Melissa Sugar said...

Perfect choice. You summed it up beautifully, He tries to ruin Christmas. Who does that?

Angela said...

He's redeemable. That's what I like the most about him.

Deana said...

The Grinch is the best! We just watched that movie the other day...I get into the Christmas spirit rather early:)

Julie Flanders said...

Love, love, love the Grinch, and the pictures made me smile so much. Great post!

Anonymous said...

Great choice. My first thought was Mr. Hyde from Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Then Iago from "Othello" and Professor Moriarty from "Sherlock Holmes."

Emily R. King said...

Ah, another excellent choice! I can't believe how much the Grinch has changed Christmas for us all. Thanks SO much for participating. It's been a blast!

Carol Riggs said...

One of my favorite movies!! I love it when bad guys change, starting off as mean or jerky, and end up kind and seeing the error of their ways. Like the movie Groundhog Day, or even As Good as It Gets with Jack Nicholson.

Cortney Pearson said...

The grinch is definitely awesome!

Jenny S. Morris said...

Oh, the Grinch is one of FAVORITE of all time. I love watching him turn from mean to nice every year!

Great Choice!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Now that's a great choice!

Hermana Tiffany Garner said...

Great pick, and I think it's completely justified. :)

Abby Fowers said...

LOVE THIS! I think I have had the most fun seeing people's "antagonist" picks. The Grinch is good one. I wouldn't have thought of him. Glad you did. He's such a stinker. I'm glad his heart grew in the end. It's one of my favorite stories.

Jenny said...

I love the Grinch song the wrote for the new, live action movie, it fit him perfectly. He's a great character, mean just to be mean, that's why it so cool to see him change.

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

There's a fine line between hero and villian - in fact, most villians think THEY are the hero of THEIR story. The Grinch is classic. Good one.

Jennie Bennett said...

That is a great choice! A antagonist who grows is truly dynamic!

Jen said...

Fantastic choice! The Grinch is the ultimate villain who is redeemed at the end.