Malicious or Misunderstood?

“How do you feel about the Grinch? Was he really that mean and malicious? Maybe
he was just misunderstood.” You will read How the Grinch Stole Christmas:
http://xmasfun.com/stories/Grinch/Text.asp

After you read the story, use the text to fill out the graphic organizer. Finally, put
all your evidence together and write a brief explanation about why you think the
Grinch is malicious, or he is simply misunderstood.

Grinch’s Actions:
1. The Grinch fell in love with Martha, and despite the insults and sneer he received, he still tried
wooing and impressing her. He made a gift, which in his perception was the perfect gift, and he
was sure that it would impress her and let her see beyond his green appearance.
2. Even after the Grinch had spent his life being ridiculed by the people of Whoville, when he
was invited for an award, he was thrilled and even looked for his most outstanding outfit. He
hoped that society would finally acknowledge his genuine intentions. However, he was assaulted
as the people shoved and forced sweets and goods on him.
3. Despite the Grinch having grown up in isolation and loneliness, he still had compassion and
wanted to love and be loved by society. He is seen to blame himself for the hate he receives
rather than blaming society.
Grinch’s Speech/Thoughts:
1. The Grinch thought to himself that he should stop the noise from the Whos singing on
Christmas. The fact that he acknowledges that he has put up with it for fifty-three years, he
retorts that he must stop the coming Christmas from happening (Howard, 2000). This shows that
the Grinch had spent over fifty years waiting for society’s acceptance and recognition, but this
did not come to fruition.
2. When the Grinch retorts that maybe Christmas does not come from a store and that it probably
means more (Howard, 2000). He intends to show that people should embrace the moment rather
than become transfixed in gifts and noise, which was merrymaking according to the Whos.
3. Another notable thought from the Grinch is that no one should be alone on Christmas. The
statement shows that he acknowledges that he leads a lonely life, and he would appreciate it if he
had company and did not have to spend the festive night alone.
What others say about the Grinch:
1. Other reviewers have acknowledged that the Grinch was a victim of malice. The Grinch did
not know anything apart from ridicule from when he was a child, which made him recent the
other people from Whoville.
2. It is also acknowledged that the Grinch was kind and loving. Others also support that the
Grinch could not have recognized Martha's love if he was not loving and did not have
compassion in him.
3. Also, others acknowledge that all the Grinch hoped for was acceptance and recognition as a
Whoville community member. He showed up for the award despite being aware that the Whos
only showed him hate and disregard.

Now use your evidence from above to write a brief essay (250 words minimum) to support whether you
believe the Grinch is really misunderstood or malicious! Have fun and be creative!

Misunderstood or Malicious

The Grinch is highly misunderstood as he is the victim in the story. The people from
Whoville can be regarded as those that led to the Grinch being mean and seemingly emotionless.
The Whos are also the reason why the Grinch deemed it appropriate to go and live in isolation on
top of the mountain. When he was a child, he was left hanging from a tree in a basket while he
peered into a merry-filled town with people all around going for a party. He helplessly watched
as he felt alone and unloved. Such an experience would not resonate well with any child, and it
would significantly impact their psychological well-being. Regardless of the experience and the
psychological hardships, he opted to move on and kept trying to fit into society.
 The Grinch had genuinely suffered his entire life in the hands of Whoville’s people and
did not give a chance to express his kindness under his ‘hideous’ green appearance. As an
attempt, he even tried to show his love for Martha, but no one recognized that he was trying to be
like the rest to show love and be accepted. His expression of hate and resentment towards society
was only a show that he had a longing for love and an innate desire to be regarded as an ordinary
member of Whoville. The act of being mistreated is what gives the Grinch the feelings of
justification to show animosity towards the others. Furthermore, Whoville people present
themselves as undeserving of his compassion as they did not care for anything apart from their
self-gratification.
 References
Howard, R. (2000). How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Universal Pictures.