Rudloph, A Tale of Intolerance

It is that annual time of year when all the Christmas shows you have known since you were a child come on television. I just watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with my three-year –old granddaughter. These shows take on a whole different perspective when you watch them with a child. On the plus side, you see them through the wondering eyes of a child who is terrified by the Abominable Snow Monster of the North. It reminds you of how scared you were when you were little by the poorly disguised puppet. The songs they sing are ones you know by heart from old memories and present day department stores. You sense the tension when Rudolph and his family are captured. Everything somehow seems new and alive again. It is almost like you are a child all over and story is gripping. On the other hand, when watched through an adult’s eyes you notice some new things. For example, Rudolph’s father was a terrible dad, trying to hide his son’s irregularity. So the kid had a red nose. Is that really so bad? He could have been deformed or had five legs or something. He has one little imperfection and his father freaks out. Then the rest of their society does one step worse. They alienate him and ban him from all reindeer games. You would think he had a communicable disease. But surely jolly old St. Nick puts a stop to it, right? No. He encouraged the segregation and says it is a shame about Rudolph’s nose since he had such a great take off. So what lesson does the story teach? Is it a story of tolerance and acceptance of people who are different? I think not. We are shown that Rudolph was better served by running away to grow up in the wilderness than by staying with his family. Only characters with their own irregularities join his company. Herbie, the elf dentist and Yukon Cornelius are not bothered in the least by Rudolph’s nose. Even so, Rudolph seeks his father’s approval and heads home only to find his family captives of the snow monster. As my granddaughter cringed I thought that karma had come around for Rudolph’s family. After they are saved the other characters regret their action but only accept Rudolph when they see what he can do for them. Santa only appreciates the little reindeer when he sees how he can use him for his own benefit. In summary we have an intolerant society including Rudolph’s family that only holds him in esteem when they see how his gift can benefit them. Did I miss anything? Oh yes, the snow monster gets accepted in the end as well…after they pull out all his teeth. Think how embarrassed he will be when he gets together with his snow monster friends. Maybe they won’t let him play in all the snow monster games!