Mob for a Massacre

In 1758 when the British had just finished the French and Indian War, they controlled a vast majority of the Americas, which were called The British Colonies. Eventually these colonies would rebel against the crown. Why did they do this? The unfair taxation without representation started it all, as it led to the Boston massacre, which ultimately led to the well-known trial of the soldiers.

In 1654 there were thirteen colonies in North America, which were all governed by Britain. The colonies were free thinking. When King George started taxing the colonists to help lift the debt of the French and Indian War, the colonists boycotted items such as tea and clothes that were imported from Britain, as they declared that Britain had no right to tax them. Sending four thousand soldiers over to the colonies, King George, who planned to settle the little American rebellion with force, figured it would be easy to settle the boycott. Immediately the colonists protested because there was a job shortage because soldiers worked extra job when off-duty for less pay than the colonists. The colonists often jeered at the officers, called them names, and violently threw things like stones at them.

As the king taxed them more, the people rebelled against him, which led to the king sending more soldiers to the colonies. On March snow had fallen and it was a chilly night. Seeing an officer being jeered at by a wig-maker’s apprentice, Private White came to his aid and smacked the boy in the head. Loudly crying and running away, the boy brought back ten angry men. Rounding up the soldiers, Captain Preston came to White’s aid. The soldiers were not allowed to fire without the permission of a civil magistrate so they stood together, surrounded by what was now a violently-angry mob, while they were called names and things were thrown at them. During the confusion, one of the solders heard someone shout, “FIRE!” and automatically assuming it was Captain Preston, he fired. Quickly picking up his lead, the other soldiers also started shooting, which led to six people getting killed and the rest of the crowd dispersing.

Immediately the next morning, Captain Preston and his men were thrown in a rat-infested jail. Demanding justice, Boston and the other colonies were in uproar. The date of the trial was set, but they could not find a lawyer for Preston. As the trial grew closer, a lawyer could not be found until John Adams, a patriot, decided that the soldiers still deserved a fair trial. He received much ridicule for this. At the end of the trial, Captain Preston and six of his eight men were found “not guilty,” while the other two guilty soldiers were branded and then also set free.

Eventually the events of the taxation, the Boston Massacre, as it came to be called, and the trial of the soldiers all led up to the American Revolution. Although it is called the Boston Massacre, it was not actually a massacre. Under a barrage from the mob, the soldiers could fire because they were allowed to protect themselves if threatened. It has been said that the angry mob, which was out of control, was asking for a massacre from the soldiers.

A Yearning for Freedom

The Boston Tea Party was the first flame of the revolution, spurring and igniting the blazing roaring fire of the Revolutionary War. When the Puritans sailed to America in 1606, they sought to find a place where they could have religious freedom. Before they came to American they were harshly persecuted and were forbidden in their religious practices. In the years leading up to the American Revolution, the colonists worked to form a government based on a collaboration of the writings of Martin Luther, John Locke, John Calvin, and many others. For some time, the colonists lived in peace without interference from Britain, striving together to form a just and peaceful community, but eventually the British Crown again started to wrongly interfere with the colonists’ way of life, and trouble ensued. Undoubtedly, the Boston Tea Party was not an isolated event. It could even be said that the Boston Tea Party could be traced all the way back to Martin Luther and the Reformation, but there are some events which assuredly led to its happening. Issuing the tax on tea, Britain demanded payment from the colonists for their military exploits, while refusing them the privilege of representation in Parliament. This blow towards America caused much consternation and discontent. With growing frustration towards Britain, Samuel Adams began the group of patriots known as the Sons of Liberty, who later helped plan the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Tea Party was proof to Parliament and King George that America was ready to rise up and fight for their rights.

The tax on tea was one of the many, but most significant events that led to the resistance of the Boston Tea Party. In the 1750s the French and Indian War, also called the Seven Years War, broke out between the English and the French because the English and Americans desired to expand their territory westward, but the French were unfortunately in their way. After the English conquered the French, the pressing concern of how to pay for the war arose, for the English were then in a dire state of debt. Reasoning that since Americans were to benefit from the war, Americans should pay for the war, Parliament passed the Revenue Act, and in 1765 the Stamp Act for “defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing British colonies and plantation in America.” This caused uproar in America. People were furious that they were expected to pay for Britain’s war when they were not given the privilege of having representatives in Parliament. If America was represented in Congress, the Stamp Act would have undoubtedly been a different matter. James Otis, a fervent patriot, who believed that the Stamp Act violated the God-given rights of the people, explained the American sentiment as follows, “When the Parliament shall think fit to all the colonists a representation in the House of commons, the equity of their taxing the colonies will bas clear as their power is at present of doing it without . . . It seems plain, that the reason why Ireland ant he American planation’s are not bound . . . is because they are not represented in the British Parliament.” “Taxation without Representation” became a common slogan. Urgently, Benjamin Franklin, an influential painter, inventor, and statesman, encouraged the colonies to become a strong united force—a voluntary union. Controversially, Franklin drew a cartoon of a dead snake chopped into many pieces with the name of a colony next to teach to illustrate their need to unite. These events sparked the fire for the resistance later displayed at the Boston Tea Party only ten years later.

In opposition to the Stamp Act, Samuel Adams, with the help of James Otis and Paul Revere, started the Sons of Liberty, a group of patriotic agitators who challenged the British Crown’s right to take away their freedom and later were the same men to organize the Boston Tea Party. Fervently, Samuel Adams believed that this act was “the loss of those religious rights, the enjoyment of which our good forefathers had more especially in their intention, when they explored and settled the new world.” They intended to do something about it. They fanned the revolutionary fire. These men defended their claims by drawing on the men who had written on religious freedom before the colonists had come to America, the same men on whom the colonies’ government was based—Locke, Calvin, Cromwell, Milton, and many others. Writing aggressive articles that were circulated around the colonies, the Sons of Liberty spoke out about the injustice of the Stamp Act and inspired people throughout the country into opposition. As the months went on, the Sons of Liberty grew and grew. In almost every colony there was a group identifying itself as The Sons of Liberty. Together, they numbered about three hundred and were made up of all sorts of men—merchants, doctors, blacksmiths, printers, silversmiths, and others. To further unite these groups, Samuel Adams initiated “Committees of Correspondence,” in 1772, as a network of communication between and within the colonies, so that each colony would be aware of what was happening in regard to the British Crown and America. If every colony understood what was happening, it would be possible to reach an agreement for a plan of action. Before the “Committees of Correspondence,” the resistance movement had taken place chiefly in the sea-coast towns and major cities where people were affected most significantly, but afterwards every colony banded together in opposition. The Sons of Liberty fanned the fire of the revolution by making people aware of the injustice of the Stamp Acting, banding people together into a united force and setting the stage for resistance displayed at the Boston Tea Party.

The first action of resistance against the British government was the incredibly risky act of destroying three shiploads of British tea, an even known as The Boston Tea Party. When Parliament passed the tax on tea, the colonists declared that this was the last straw. Although the tea tax was small, it nevertheless created uproar because it only a small example of the payment Britain expected from the colonies, while refusing them a representation in Parliament. Not only this, but the Tea Act forbade colonists from buying tea from any ships other than Britain’s’. The Sons of Liberty devised a plan. Rebelliously, Samuel Adams called a meeting at the Old South Church in Boston on the evening of December 6, 1773, and was joined by hundreds of people ready to take action. That same night, men gathered at taverns and homes around town, waiting for the appointed time. Dressing in shabby old blankets, donning woolen caps, and blackening their faces with soot, they went out secretly and silently toward Griffin’s Wharf, where three ships, the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver, carrying tea, were awaiting at the dock. They called themselves the Mohawks. Separated into three parties, each having an appointed leader, they quickly boarded the ships. Calmly and powerfully, the leaders ordered the officials off the ships. They proceeded to lug the chest of the on deck and shovel in into the water. By the time they finished, the crowd from the Old South Meeting House had come to join them. They left the wharf, marching to “Yankee Doodle.” No authorities attempted to stop them for fear that innocent bystanders would be injured. When King George heard news of the tea ordeal a month later, he was furious. Losing a fortune in tea, the East India Trading Company was shocked. King George vowed that the participants would be found and arrested. The names of the Mohawks, however, were kept so extremely confidential that it was impossible to discover the perpetrators. The Boston Tea Party was the first deliberate, organized act of resistance toward the British Crown and it united and prepared the colonies for the Revolutionary War.

The Boston Tea Party was preceded by many events, people, and ideas which propelled it to happen. Creating discontent in the colonies, the Stamp Act was one of the first events which ignited the colonists’ yearning for complete freedom from Britain. Afterwards, the society called the Sons of Liberty was initiated by Samuel Adams, uniting the colonies into a force that was ready to fight for liberty, even until death. When the Tea Act was proclaimed, the colonies were ready for rebellion and destroyed three shiploads of British tea in Boston—an event known as the Boston Tea Party. Fighting and sacrificing for America, our forefathers built a country centered on truth and justice. Most importantly, they were not high and mighty stuffed shirts, dainty and self-important, cut they were men of action who were unafraid to get their hands dirty and to stir the people into action as well. On the night of the Boston Tea Party and rally at the meeting house, which Adams himself had organized, he was right in the thick of it, rallying the people there—he was their equal. Not only this, but they were men ready to fight for freedom, including the freedom to worship God in the way of their consciences. Boldly, they stood up to the authority of Britain, a great and powerful force who militarily could have wiped them out effortlessly. Or so it seemed. Much can come of bravery and boldness even when all the odds seem opposing. That is what built our country into what it are now—bravery, boldness, and a yearning for freedom. The Boston Tea Party was America’s first declaration of that yearning for freedom.

The Man Who Never Grew Up

In America, everyone has heard of the story of Peter Pan. Silently flying off to Neverland one night with a strange boy named Peter Pan, Wendy and her brothers arrive and have many adventures, bravely battling pirates and Indians. Returning home, Wendy and her brothers grow up, while Peter Pan, who stays in Neverland remains a boy forever. This incredible story was written by a man named James Mathew Barrie. As he drew inspiration from many of the people he interacted with, J.M. Barrie formed the great story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up. Some of his most interesting times were his childhood, his time with the Davies, and the making of Peter Pan. This is his story.

In year 1860, James Mathew Barrie was born in a small weaving town called Kirriemuir. Although his family didn’t have much, they were not exactly poor. His father was a successful weaver, while his mother stayed at home with the eight kids. Leaving home at age eight, J.M. Barrie went to Glasgow academy and was looked after by his older brother and sister, who worked at the school. Easily passing exams with flying colors, he then attended Humphreys academy at age thirteen. When he was sixteen he wrote his first play, and started a drama club, which caused much trouble, because not all of the plays had up standing morals, and was looked down upon by the clergyman on the school governing board. After graduating he immediately started writing plays and became a well-known and well respected author in a city which was, much larger than where he grew up.

When he was thirty-one J.M. Barrie fell in love with the pretty young actress, Mary Ansell, who starred in one of his plays, and they got married. In 1897 an extraordinary thing happened--he met the Davies family. Meeting Mrs. Silvia Davies at a dinner party, Barrie was instantly charmed by her beauty and how she would hide sweets in her silk reticule and say, “They are for Peter.” It was not until almost a year later that he met the Davies again. Daily walking in the park, J.M. Barrie often noticed the two little boys wearing red berets, as they walked with the nurse, who was pushing a baby. On one sunny morning, he started talking to the boys because they wanted to play with his dog, Porthos, and he learned that they were part of the Davies family. They were George and Jack Davies. Immediately, J.M. Barrie and the Davies boys became completely inseparable as they met at the park day after day, and J.M. Barrie would often go home with them and play make believe and tell stories until their bedtime, not coming home to his wife until late evening.

Where did Peter Pan Start? He started with the Davies. Telling stories to the Davies boys one day, Barrie told the tale of the boy who wouldn’t grow up, and he named him Peter after Peter Davies, who was listening intently to every word he said. As he wrote the play The Little White Bird, Barrie added in the character of Peter as a small part, but he was so intrigued by the character he decided to write a new play about him. In 1904 Barrie sat in his little cottage home as he wrote continually. Finally finishing his play Peter and Wendy, he took it to be published. At first he had no luck getting it published until his friend, Charles Frohman, who was delighted by the story, agreed to put it into production. It was an instant hit because the charming quality of the play, and people were clambering from everywhere to see the play, which was now named Peter Pan.

After leading a successful life, J. M. Barrie died at age seventy seven of pneumonia. From the time of his childhood, through his relationship with the Davies through the writing of Peter Pan, and even until his death, he was said to be quite childish and even playfully devilish at times, just like the boy he wrote about. One of the most significant things about J.M. Barrie, who loved to write stories until his death, is that he hardly ever noticed his fame and popularity. At a very old age he still loved telling stories and playing make believe, quite like a man who never grew up.

Who Are You?

Who are you? This familiar question asked by the caterpillar of Wonderland is one that is appropriate to the adventures of the man who wrote the famous classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a man who is far less known than the tale he created, though just as intriguing. Although he is most widely known as the writer, Lewis Carroll, this man, born Charles Dodgson, was also a mathematician, inventor, and teacher. Avidly creating and inventing since he was young, Charles’ early works show his prowess in clever rhymes, interesting riddles, and crazy new words such as “chortle”—a blend of “chuckle” and “snort.” Enjoying the company of children, Charles befriended three young sisters, which would lead to the writing of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

On January 27, 1832, in a small parsonage of Daresbury in Cheshire, Charles Dodgson, the man today known as Lewis Carroll, breathed his first breath. The third of eleven children, Charles was taught at home until he was eleven and enjoyed a happy, peaceful childhood with his family, although he was always very shy because of a stammer with which he was born. Charles loved to create from the very beginning. When he was thirteen, he wrote a poem called “The Fairy.”

The Fairy

I have a fairy by my side

Which says I must not sleep.

When once in pain I loudly cried
It said “You must not weep.”

If, full of mirth, I smile and grin

It says “You must not laugh;”

When once I wished to drink some gin

It said “You must not quaff.”

When once a meal I wished to taste

It said “You must not bite”;

When to the wars I went with haste

It said “You must not fight.”

“What may I do?” at length I cried,

Tired of the painful task.

The fairy quietly replied,

And said “You must not ask.

Naturally quick-witted and clever, Charles’ talent for humor paired seamlessly with logic is evident even in his first works.

It was while Charles was teaching at Christ College that he met the little girl who would spark the ideas for the story that he would one day become famous for--Alice in Wonderland. Because of his stammer, Charles was often shy among adults and preferred the company of children. Some of his closest friends were three young girls— Edith, Alice, and Ina Liddell, who were the daughters of the dean of Christ College, where Charles lectured math for many years. Whether they rowing on the pond, or Charles was telling the children a fantastical tale, or photographing the children, they always had a wonderful time. The children adored him. Peacefully rowing one golden afternoon with his good friend Robinson Duckworth and the Liddell sisters, Charles told them an enchanting story in which the main character’s name was Alice. Delighted by the story, Alice Liddell begged him to write it down. When she was older, Alice recalled that it must have been even better than usual, for Charles had made up many stories for them before, but it had never been enthralling so much as to spur a proposal for him to write it down. Alice pleaded. She begged. Charles finally agreed. Charles would write the tale for his little friend, Alice Liddell, Alice’s Adventures Underground.

Even after he began writing the Alice story down, never did Charles suspect that Alice’s Adventures Underground would be published. Hardly a year and a half later, he presented the hand-written green leather-bound book to Alice as a Christmas present, with a note inside reading, “A Christmas gift to a dear child in memory of a summer day.” After showing the book to the fairytale writer, George McDonald and his family, who were good friends of Charles’ they encouraged him strongly to publish “Alice’s Adventures Underground.” They soon persuaded Charles. Searching fervently for an illustrator, Charles decided that John Tenniel, the well-known cartoon artist, was the best fit. It was exactly three years to the day of the golden afternoon when Charles had told the tale to Alice and her sisters, that the book was published, although Charles had nearly doubled its length, added all of John’s Tenniel’s drawings, and changed the title to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

From this short tale, told on a child’s whim, was born a story known around the world, published in in over fifty languages, illustrated by over two-hundred artists, and adapted into two major motion pictures. Clearly seen in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland are many aspects of Charles Dodgson, his childhood, his love and exceptional talent for inventing and storytelling, his teaching in math, and-- most importantly, his special fondness for children. It is always an adventure when people can read a work and see much of the writer inside the pages. So Charles Dodgson, who are you?

Snoopy's Defeat

On a winter day in December, when it was very cold, the Peanuts gang was enjoying the afternoon skating. Clutching his blue blanket tightly to his cheek, Linus stood in the middle of the pond, wondering why he had come along. He’d much rather be inside with a toasty mug of hot cocoa, cuddling his blanket and sucking his thumb in his favorite chair instead of in the freezing wind, which was making his poor blanket whip back and forth. Clumsily hobbling towards the bank, Linus decided that ice skating was not for him.

Snoopy, who enjoyed skating immensely, was turning pirouettes and spinning circles around everyone as usual. When Linus turned around, he discovered that Snoopy was charging his way. In an attempt to escape, Linus shuffled hurriedly towards the safe edge of the rink. Zooming towards Linus, Snoopy caught him just as he reached the bank.

Snatching the fuzzy blue blanket in his mouth, Snoopy spun Linus around. With determination, Linus clung on to his blanket, his most precious possession, while Snoopy dragged him around the pond. Linus wouldn’t let go. Crazily, Linus was pulled ‘round and ‘round, until his head was spinning wildly. Linus jerked his blanket suddenly, sending Snoopy towards a large snow bank, where he landed dejectedly in defeat.

A Day for Ice Skating

Waiting for Charlie Brown and the others to arrive, Linus, who was early, was skating around the pond slowly. He hadn’t wanted to arrive early, but his mom said, “Better early than late.” In the air he could see his breath fogging up. While he circled the frozen pond, he rubbed his hands together for warmth. Suddenly a freezing gust of wind almost blew him over as he wrapped his blanket tightly around him. He couldn’t wait for Charlie Brown to arrive.

In the distance, Charlie Brown and Snoopy trudged slowly through the deep snow. Looking towards the pond, Charlie Brown could see a speck, and he thought, “That must be Linus!” As he pushed through the snow, Charlie Brown wondered where everyone else was. Suddenly, bounding in front of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, his dog, sped off towards the lake, while Charlie Brown didn’t pick up the pace at all. Charlie Brown watched him run off, shrugged his shoulders, and kept moving forward at his own pace.

As he grew closer to the pond, Snoopy picked up the speed considerably so he could arrive as soon as possible. Violently shivering in the cold, Linus could only make out a white and black blur speeding towards him. Reaching the ice, Snoopy tried to slow down, but went flying across the pond, grabbing for the only thing in his reach. The only thing in his reach just so happened to be Linus’s blanket, while Linus, who refused to let go, got dragged along with Snoopy until they both crashed into the snow bank at the edge of the pond. In the icy snow, Linus and Snoopy untangled themselves to find Charlie Brown, who had finally arrived, skating across the pond to where they were. “I don’t want to skate anymore Charlie Brown,” said Linus.” Freezing cold, they went home.

Defying Gravity

Since its opening in 2003, the Broadway show Wicked has been the show to beat. Based loosely on the novel Wicked: The life and Times of the Witches of Oz, which is a novel paralleling Frank Baum’s classic film The Wizard of Oz, the musical Wicked is an uproariously funny, yet deeply thoughtful story. Initially premiering in San Francisco, Wicked created little buzz with its audiences. Critics wondered if the show would make it. The show then traveled to New York for the premiere there. It immediately became a box office smash! Like Elphaba, the show has been defying gravity ever since!

Driving While Texting

Everyone has heard of a DWI, but how about a DWT? The reaction time and concentration of a person texting while driving is equal to that of someone who has consumed three or four drinks of alcohol. It’s taken far less seriously. Unfortunately, one out of five drivers admits to texting while driving, while over half of people between eighteen and twenty-four have texted or emailed while driving. Since most people don’t admit to texting after a car accident, these statistics are likely to be significantly higher. Considered far less serious than drinking while intoxicated, texting while driving poses a dangerous problem and will continue to, unless people begin to change their risky and untimely habits.

Six Kids and Their Music

Forming a band for fun in 2005, six kids began what is known today as The Devil Wears Prada. As they tour more and more, The Devil Wears Prada has quickly become immensely popular with song names like “Reptar, King Of The Ozone.” From Dayton, Ohio, The Devil Wears Prada is a hardcore band that has released three full length CDs and one EP album, although they have been a band for only five years. Deriving their name from the book with the same name, the meaning for the band name is completely different. It’s a message about anti-materialism, or as their screamer Mike Hranica put it, “When standing before God, He won't care about your sweet Prada scarf or Gucci shoes or whatever.” On August 22, 2006, they came out with their first full length album, which was named Dear Love A Beautiful Discord. Recently making a new record, The Devil Wears Prada’s newest EP, which is named Zombie is exclusively about zombies and even comes with a zombie comic book. They’ve come a long way from six kids playing music for fun in 2005.

No More Cover Songs

Our Last Night is a five piece band made of guys who were “sick of jamming out to cover songs.” Starting while they were still in high school, they played wild shows and quickly grew popular in the New Hampshire area, and they also gained much attention for their vocalist , because he was only eleven years old when he joined the band. Throughout their career they have put out three full length albums and one EP. In August of 2007, they signed to Epitaph Records and put out their album The Ghosts Among Us. Strenuously working with Andrew Wade, who also works with the bands A Day To Remember and Versa Emerge, Our Last Night released their CD We Will All Evolve on April 30, 2010. Our Last Night has become a great band since their decision to stop jamming to cover songs.

Cracked

Comfortably sitting in the study, waiting for Mr. Perry, Betty was thinking the day over. Picking up a book, she wondered why the name Betty had been chosen for her because she hated the name Betty. It wasn’t her real name. Her real name was actually Meg, and she was an information gatherer. Under cover as a health consultant for Mr. Perry, who was the owner of all the electrical companies going under in the United States, her mission was simple: see how Perry was taking bankruptcy. While she relaxed in the chair, she also wondered when Mr. Perry would arrive.

As she sat, a loud noise broke into her train of thought. Wildly swinging from the gold chandelier above her was--none other than--Mr. Perry himself. Hooting like an owl and flapping his wings crazily like a bird as he swung back and forth, he kept clawing at nothing with his feet. His clothes were torn, he had half a beard, and he kept screaming, “They will never find me in this jungle.” Above Meg’s head, Mr. Perry, who finally spotted her, let out a howl of rage, and started grabbing books off the shelves, as he chucked them at her head.

Calmly observing the man, Meg watched as he rocked back and forth. “After all your scheming and bribing your way to the top, you have finally cracked, you old tyrant,” she thought. “Although I think I like you better this way anyhow.” Standing up slowly, Meg curtsied and called up, “I shall take my leave now, Mr. Perry,” and with that she turned, smiled to herself, and exited the room. As she walked down the hall to the front door, she planned her report in her head. She didn’t have much to tell the boss, because Mr. Perry could be summed up in four short words. Cracked, but quite delightful.

Fifty Bucks Well-Earned, Almost

As Marge walked down the long aisle she looked up to see the groom, who was standing, smiling at the end of the aisle. Immediately saying yes when he had proposed, she could not wait to be married, especially to the man of her dreams. Waiting at the end of the aisle, Frank stood nervously. He had been waiting for this moment all his life, and he could not believe it was already upon him. He felt like jelly. In the first row, the mothers were clutching their tissues and bawling boomingly into them as Marge passed.

Meanwhile, Francis was standing in the lobby, ready to enter behind Marge. On a pillow next to him, lay the wedding rings, small and gold. He did not want his sister to be married because he didn’t much care for Frank, but he couldn’t do anything about it. Picking up the rings and starting slowly into the aisle, he realized that if he didn’t want his sister to be married he would have to act immediately or forever hold his peace. Quickly, he shoved them up his nose. “This will stop the wedding for sure,” thought Francis as he followed Marge.

When he reached the end of the row, the preacher looked down at the pillow and then at Francis. “Where are they?” he asked. “I don’t know,” replied Francis innocently as he sucked them farther up his nose. “Do you have a cold my dear bo--HOLY CRAP! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR FACE!” screeched the preacher, finally noticing Francis’ bulging nostrils. Digging up his nose with his finger, Francis pulled out the rings, which were covered in snot, spit on them to rinse off the mucus, and handed them to the shocked preacher. On this note, the preacher quickly married the couple. Gloomily searching for his parents, Francis finally found his father, who took the pillow from him as he said, “If your plan had worked, I would have paid you a well-earned fifty bucks.”

Gold Digging

Watching his beautiful older sister glide down the aisle, escorted by their father, Jimmy’s heart sank. Exasperatedly, Jimmy rolled his eyes at the idea of people falling “in love”, which he found to be very obnoxious. Marriage was a fun-sucker. Jimmy, on pain of death by his parents, was the ring bearer; although he’d done everything he could to avoid this terrible prospect. With all his heart, Jimmy loathed that man, from the moment he’d met him. Although he’d hated all of Lia’s boyfriend’s, Cuthbert was the worst. What made him the worst? Cuthbert had actually succeeded in taking away his dearly beloved sister.

Dejectedly he thought to himself that the worst part about it all was that there was nothing he could do to stop it. He had planned. He had schemed. But he had lost. All of his plans, all of his daydreams, which included things such as blowing the groom up, pushing him off a cliff, or chasing him away with a giant rabid ape, had failed. Panicking, Jimmy looked around, and as he did, a brilliant plan popped into his brain. This was his last chance! In desperation, he snatched the two rings from the frilly white cushion, and without hesitation, stuffed one into each nostril. As he marched innocently behind his sister up the aisle, he felt a glow of pride at his own brilliance. No one would ever suspect to look there. He would stop the wedding if it was the last thing he ever did.

Jimmy chuckled to himself, remembering what his mother always said when he picked his nose, “Are you digging for gold?” Now he literally was. When Jimmy arrived at the altar, he held out the empty white pillow to the priest. Glaring at Jimmy, the priest,aghast, demanded where the rings were. Jimmy shrugged his shoulders casually. To Jimmy’s delight the wedding was postponed in order to search for the rings. As the day continued however, the rings began to slide down his nose, so Jimmy continually pushed them farther up. Unfortunately, Jimmy had a very small nose, so this was an extremely painful predicament. Finally, three hours later, he screamed that he couldn’t take it anymore and stuffed his pinkies up to pull the rings out, but Jimmy had pushed them so high up that this was problematic. The rings were stuck! Jimmy’s parents were furious when he confessed, but they, too, couldn’t extract those precious rings rom Jimmy’s tiny freckled nose. In the end, the rings had to be surgically removed, which was an excruciating experience for Jimmy. His parents decided that this was punishment enough. As Cuthbert and Lia took their vows, Jimmy made his own vow that he would never dig for gold again.

The Journey Through Hell

Often recognized as one of the greatest poets ever, Dante Alighieri was born in Florence In 1265. In his younger years Dante studied at home and at age 12 was betrothed to Gemma di Manetto Donati. Much of Dante’s early adult years were spent in politics, and he was also part of Guelph-Ghibelline conflict, and fought in the battle of Campaldino. This ultimately ended in his exile, at which time he wrote The Divine Comedy, which is a three part poem: Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise. After writing The Divine Comedy, he died on September 14, 1321. Part one of the Divine Comedy, The Inferno, which is the most popular of the three, describes a pilgrim’s journey through hell, guided by the poet Virgil. In The Inferno, Dante uses a certain formula for the journey through the circles of hell. First each circle’s punishment parallels the sin committed. Second, as he journeys further into hell, the sins are represented as becoming more repulsive. And third, the further he journeys into hell, the less activity he finds.

In The Inferno, each sinner has a punishment that reflects his sin on earth. Expressing this point in Canto seven, Dante places the slothful under the mucky swamp where they are stuck for eternity, inhaling the mud and water, never being able to move because of their laziness on earth. Another example of this is the circle of the soothsayers, where Dante says, “And when my gaze moved down below their faces, I saw all were incredibly distorted, the chin was not above the chest, the neck was twisted--their faces looked down their backs; they had to move ahead by moving backward, for they never saw what was ahead of them” (Canto 20, Lines 10-15). Their faces were twisted around because they always tried to see and predict the future, and now they don’t even get to see what’s in front of them presently. One last example is Canto twenty-three, which contains the hypocrites, who are laden with such heavy garments they can barely walk. They wear these because they were so burdened with their lies on earth. By giving them exactly what they want, Dante has punished them by giving them such an excess of the sin that it shows how perverted it really is.

As the journey goes deeper into hell, Dante’s opinion about what sins are deserving of more punishment is shown. For example, the first group of sinners who are neither accepted by God or by hell are forced to run forever outside the gates of hell. Whereas, about halfway down are the suicides who are encased in trees and can only talk if a limb is broken and their blood spills out. Because they did not cherish their life on earth, they have no life in hell. The last circle of hell holds the traitors, which is interesting because of Dante’s political views and his war against the traitors to his country, which was the reason for his exile. Horribly tortured in ice are the traitors to their country, and finally Lucifer, the ultimate traitor and the king of hell, is found chewing on the worst sinners: Judas, Brutus, and Cassius. Obviously Dante had a certain contempt for traitors, which was probably due to his exile; his hell seems to be influenced by his personal experiences.

One interesting literary contrast is the difference between the first and last circles of hell. In the first circle of hell, Dante observes the indecisive sinners, who chose neither God nor Lucifer, running away from responsibility of choice. In hell they spend their time endlessly being chased by bees, literally having to run. Whereas, those who chose to directly oppose God, like Lucifer and Judas, are stuck, immobilized, and in Judas’s case being eaten eternally. Dante seems to find it worse to be trapped in one place, because as he travels deeper into hell the tortures become more immobile; for example traitors who are in the bottom of hell are frozen in ice.

Reading The Inferno reveals much of Dante’s thoughts on which sins should have a worse punishment, like the deepest circle of the traitors. He also hints that immobility is a more terrible thing than being tormented yet still having strength. In the end of The Inferno, Dante and his guide, Virgil, have gone through all hell literally and finally have to crawl down the leg of Satan to arrive in purgatory and continue their journey to heaven.

A Journey Through Hell

The Divine Comedy was written between 1308 and 1321, by Dante Alighieri. Originally in Italian, The Divine Comedy continues to be translated regularly. In Dante’s culture, when the vast majority of literature consisted of stuffy lovey-dovey poetry, Dante’s poems were a huge step forward. It was written in every day plain Italian for the everyday normal Joe, but it was about Hell. This was not what Florence was used to. Lasting 700 years, Dante’s story is gritty, graphic, violent, engaging, exciting, and deeply moving. It deals with matters of the human condition and is still completely relevant today.

Dante’s Divine Comedy has lasted for centuries because he knew how to tell a good story, and a good story is the best vehicle for ideas to travel from the page to the mind to the soul. What rings true in one heart and mind will ring true in hearts and minds around the world. Dante rings true. How do we explain the ways in which men sin and are reconciled again to God? We do this by telling stories. Another familiar word is parable. In Dante’s parable he tells of a man—himself— going through Hell so he can eventually reach heaven. He presents his story as a journey. Perhaps he wrote it this way because there is a universal theme that every person experiences in life, which is that good can come from bad situations. Through trials we grow stronger. Life comes from Death. In the play The Fantasticks, the narrator, El Gallo, says, “There is a curious paradox that no one can explain. Who understands the secret of the reaping of the grain? Who understands why spring is born out of winter’s laboring pain? Or why we must all die a bit before we can live again? I do not know the answer. I merely know it’s true.” Since The Divine Comedy is a journey, it must begin with the storms and hardships of Hell, so that the pilgrim can reach the harvest of heaven’s glory.

One unique device that the poet Dante uses in The Divine Comedy is to place himself in the story, making us feel as if it might have really happened. He makes himself the pilgrim on the journey—the one who experiences Hell. And we, in a sense, experience it with him. While traveling through the circles of Hell, observing the various realms of sinners, including the liars, the thieves, the lustful, the wrathful, and the hypocrites, it can be tempting to comfort ourselves with how evil those people are and feel proud that we don’t struggle with those sins, but it’s difficult not to see glimpses (sometimes more than glimpses) of ourselves in all of the sinners. But in contrast Dante also doesn’t let us forget that they are evil nasty sinners, and he is rebuked several times for pitying them. But sin is not to be pitied because as soon as we start making excuses for the sins of those condemned by God, we start making excuses for our own sin. Pitying those that God has chosen to condemn, we question God’s justice. This is what Dante does not let us do. We must hate sin. Because we are on the journey with Dante, seeing Hell through his eyes, we are also rebuked with him for pitying sin. Just like Dante, we must turn our own condemning finger on ourselves. Oh, me, condemned sinner. In his art, Dante helps us to see ourselves for who we are—sinners. Thankfully, he didn’t stop with the Inferno. This is a journey, and our destination is paradise.

As we travel through Hell it is curious and often surprising to discover who Dante the poet placed in Hell. A large percentage of the sinners in Hell are Catholic popes, who are mostly in the lowest realms of Hell. It’s ironic and a bit unsettling that those who are regarded as holy and good and who are supposedly God’s chosen leaders on earth are those we discover to be deep in Hell. As might be less surprising, we also meet many of Dante’s enemies in hell. There are those who hold the opinion that this is Dante’s spiteful revenge towards them, but another fact suggests otherwise. Dante also puts his friends in hell. A prime concept in The Inferno is that “good decent” people are in Hell right along with “nasty evil” people. In Dante’s story there are hundreds of popes in Hell, yet we know there are thieves in heaven. What’s the difference? Redeemed thieves. We don’t get to heaven by being nice respected people, but by being saved by grace. If the pilgrim Dante hadn’t “woke to find himself in a dark wood,” he also would be keeping company with these condemned in Hell eternally. The reason the pilgrim Dante is making the journey through Hell is so that he may be redeemed.

Great stories always last, because they are about who we are as human beings. Putting a mirror up to nature, they ask us to take a look at the world and at ourselves. They teach us what to love and what to hate. Not to love good people and hate bad people, because there is no such thing. There are only redeemed people and those who are not. When you find yourself in a dark wood, know that you have a journey through Hell ahead of you, so that you can reach paradise.

The Twisted Hero

Macbeth is the classic story that illustrates the fragility of human nature. Written 1606-1607, Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. To understand the character of Macbeth, it’s important to consider the role of fate and choice. As in many famous plays and stories, the question arises of whether or not Macbeth is a helpless victim of fate or a man overrun by selfish desires. Equally important are the concepts of how actions shape a person’s character and how they can rob someone of personal insight.

Although, in the end Macbeth is a ruthless, murderous tyrant, he didn’t start out that way. Ironically, the first description of Macbeth is the hero in battle who charged in without fear and defeated the enemy, namely their leader, Macdonwald, whose head he put on a stake. It’s interesting how our first perception of him is the conqueror of a traitorous villain, one whom he will resemble by the end of the play.

But then Macbeth meets the Weird Sisters. Up until this point we have no reason to believe that Macbeth has traitorous tendencies. But he always had the potential to become a murderous traitor, and this is the reason we cannot blame his repulsive moral condition on the Weird Sisters or Lady Macbeth or Fate. The Weird Sisters relay three prophesies to Macbeth: “All hall, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3 lines 48-50). Even the choice of words at the beginning of the play hint that Macbeth isn’t’ a victim of Fate. “But all’s too weak: For brave Macbeth—Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel.” This suggests that Macbeth is above fortune or Fate; it doesn’t control him. Macbeth is ruined by his choice to take matters into his own hands. Fate had given him the perfect hand and Macbeth knew that if he played his hand right, the game would be in the bag. But does Macbeth “disdain Fortune” for the sake of loyalty to his country or just sheer decency? Macbeth knew what he was doing. He was painfully aware of it. “I am afraid to think what I have done: Look on ‘t again I dare not.” (2.2 lines 55-56). It’s tempting to blame Macbeth’s sins on Fate, especially when we consider ourselves in his place, but this is not the case.

Throughout the play we see devolution of Macbeth’s character. When Macbeth hears the prophesies of the Weird Sisters he’s not sure what he’s going to do yet, although he immediately entertains thoughts of murder: “Why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs, against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings shakes so my single state of man that function is smothered in surmise and nothing is but what is not.” And with this beginning or conflict, we see that as Macbeth ascends in power, his moral character rapidly declines. Before Macbeth murders Duncan he is swayed back and forth—should he do it? Should he not? Although some of his doubts come from selfish fears of being caught, it does seem that Macbeth is wholly corrupt. He’s still able to distinguish between right and wrong. After the deed is done Macbeth feels extreme regret, but it’s not long before the regret wears off. As the action continues, Macbeth feels less emotion regarding his depravity, and it becomes easier with each murder. By the end, he tells us that he fears no longer: “I have almost forgotten the taste of fears. Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, cannot once start me.” (5.5 lines 8 and 13-14). In this sense, never fearing is an unnatural and sickly state of being. When we consider each of Macbeth’s murders, it’s important to see how truly perverted they are, firstly the murder of his king, to whom he’d sworn eternal allegiance. Next, with much less reluctance, the murder of his close friend, Banquo, is a comment on how desperate Macbeth is becoming to tie up all the end of his treachery. And third, Macbeth has come to a state of such unnaturalness that he feels threated by women and children. His senseless butchery is repulsive. Each of these murders twists Macbeth, forming different characteristics in him. With the murder of Duncan, Macbeth becomes the tyrant. With the murder of his good friend Banquo, he cuts himself off from human companionship. And the complete unnatural murder of women and children is nothing but the work of a coward. Utterly low, Macbeth has become a wretched creature, willing to do anything to keep his power.

Macbeth does not die a heroic death, but a pitiful death. Near the end of the play, before he battles Malcolm and Macduff, Macbeth clings to the prophesies of the three witches. Cleverly, Malcolm’s army has carried three branches from the forest Birnham to conceal the number of troops coming, therefore fulfilling the prophesy of the witches. Macbeth meets Macduff, and they begin to duel. Macbeth claims that Macduff cannot defeat him, boasting, “I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born.” But Macduff was ripped from his mother’s womb early, thus; he is not born of woman. Now Macbeth is without loyal solider to follow him, without his wife, who was his driving force, and now it seems that all Fortune is really against him and not for him. The prophesies have fallen flat and Macbeth has nothing left to cling to. Still, he refuses to surrender, and he vows never to give in. “Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane and thou opposed, being of no woman born, yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff. And damned be him that first cries ‘Hold, enough.’” Macbeth has become so wretched that he will not surrender and admit that he’s defeated. He’s so far into his evil ways that he can no longer realize that his cause is lost. Early in the play, Lady Macbeth reassures her husband that “A little water clears us of this deed” (2.2 line 6.9), but it is not so. Macbeth dies fighting to keep the power that never belonged to him. Maybe if Macbeth had realized this, had begged for death on his knees before Macduff, this wouldn’t be a tragedy, but Macbeth is unable to do so in his corruptness.

In one regard, Macbeth hardly feels like a tragedy. No one sitting in the audience is on Macbeth’s side, cheering for him to kill Macduff. As the curtain closes, the villain is dead, and good has triumphed, even if it is at great cost. At one point, the crowd might have felt a liking for Macbeth and hoped that he wouldn’t commit his atrocities. “Don’t do it, Macbeth! Don’t do it!” But towards the end, the mutual feeling is, “Just kill him, Macduff.” The most important thing about the character of Macbeth is the concept of a good man turning into a vile tyrant. Since the beginning of history, our stories demonstrate that each and every one of us is susceptible to corruption.

Always Waiting

Even after thousands of years, we still often hear references to the works of Augustine, the bishop of Hippo in Roman Africa. Although his works are regarded to be duller than a butter knife by most people, and expected to be a bunch of incomprehensible mush about the Bible and morality, a true reading of The Confessions reveals a simple, surprisingly down-to-earth story of a man’s everyday life, not a perfect righteous snob, but a lousy sinner redeemed by God. Honestly, leaving no dirty story untold, he writes of how he strayed form the straight path and lived in darkness for many years. His story leads to the pivotal moment when he lays his burdens at Christ’s feet, crying for help and rest. The story of his life reveals the beautiful reality that each of our lives leading to the moment that we admit to Christ that we need him. In one regard Augustine was no extraordinary man, but in the other regard, what is more extraordinary than submission to Christ?

As an only child, much was expected of Augustine, even as a small child. Educated at very good schools in Latin, Greek, and rhetoric, Augustine’s parents wanted him to be successful and elevated in social status. Naturally, Augustine hated school and only wished to play ball with his friends as any ten year old boy would want to do. Raised in the Christian faith by his Catholic mother, Augustine grew to be a smart and pure hearted child. Of course, he wasn’t perfect, and he often cheated at games, and raged against those who did the same to him. One of his first experiences with God was praying that his teachers wouldn’t beat him when he was disobedient. In the eyes of a ten year old, God did not come through, and Augustine was angry that God had not answered his request. As he got older Augustine hung out with some of the wrong kinds of people, and the burden of peer pressure weighed heavily on him. From the days of his childhood, his mother prayed that Augustine would seek God and follow him, but this would not come to be for a long time. Augustine spent much of his adulthood in a life of sin, but little did he know that God watched over him and had a plan to restore him. Just as his parents had wished, Augustine excelled in school and showed a successful career ahead of him, as a teacher of the liberal arts, law, and rhetoric. Unfortunately, Augustine’s desire for success, the approval of others, and the good life, led him into some rather undesirable circles. One of these groups was the Manichees, a religious cult which believed that all matter is fundamentally bad and who strived to reach the higher spiritual life. For ten long years Augustine followed the Manichees, although he always felt like there theology was lacking and unsatisfactory. After attending schools in Carthage and Rome, Augustine moved to Milan with his mother, where they met the bishop Ambrose. Impressed that Ambrose was an educated well speaking gentlemen, Augustine talked with him often and started to learn more about the Catholic faith. Although he didn’t disagree with any of the beliefs of the Catholic Church or find fault with them, he wasn’t ready to believe it yet. He still desired the successful life. Over the next ten years God worked to soften Augustine’s heart for the moment when he was ready to accept the truth of Jesus.

Even after several years of being on the fence between choosing to follow Christ and his impure lust for a life of success, it wasn’t until Augustine was twenty-nine years old that he became a Christian. One day an unexpected visitor named Ponticianus came to visit him and his friend. While they were chatting, Ponticianus, spotted the books of the apostle Paul sitting on the table and proceeded to tell them of two men’s conversions to Christianity, and how their devotion to Christ led them to abandon their former lives, including they’re jobs and fiancés. When Ponticianus left, Augustine, moved by the story, knew he had to choose- now or never. Going out to the garden he was almost in hysterics. A full fledged battle raged in his mind. Finally, bursting into tears, he confessed to God all of his sins, especially his sin of sexual lust, and pledged to give himself to a life of piety. Suddenly he heard a child chanting to herself, “Pick up and read. Pick up and read”. Racing to the house, he snatched up his Bible, opening it randomly. The verse he read was Romans 13:13-14—“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissention and jealousy. Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and not think about how to gratify your sinful natures.” Augustine, overcome by joy, felt absolute peace when he read this, and he praised God. After twenty-nine years, God had plucked him out of the muck of sin and set him on the path of light.

Raised by a Christian mother and educated at good schools, Augustine led a normal happy childhood, until he joined the wrong crowd of people as a teenager. Especially in his younger adult life, when his devotion to the Manichees was steadfast, Augustine lived a life of sin, struggling futilely with lust. Thankfully, God gave Augustine a yearning for the truth, and Augustine was always eager to evaluate his own beliefs and others too. After many long years Augustine decided that it was time to either choose God or reject him. He’d be on the fence for too long. Sitting in his garden he contemplated what following Christ would mean for him and her wondered if he could ever give up his flourishing sin of lust. Satan was pulling at him, but he was no match for Christ. Augustine broke into sobs, realizing that he could never be truly free without Christ. Why is it that we still read a book by a dead guy who lived thousands of years ago? Because people really aren’t that different, even now. They still mess up, sin, and reject God. But God doesn’t change. He does not forsake us. He is always waiting for us to come running back into his arms.

A Mess Turned to Beauty

The book Saint Augustine’s Confessions is his confession to God, which includes the story of his life. Telling of his childhood, Saint Augustine explains how he comes to Jesus and is saved after much sin. Here is a summary of his life up until conversion.

Born to a Roman official and his wife, Augustine grew up in a middle class home. Deeply concerned with his education his father spent a great deal of money getting him into the best schools, but his dad was never concerned with Augustine’s spiritual life, because he wasn’t a Christian, whereas his mother was deeply committed to the Catholic faith. As Augustine grew, his mother was very concerned with his sexual habits, and prayed for his conversion, while his father encouraged this immoral behavior.

Enrolling at Carthage when he came of age, Augustine’s sexual addiction became worse and worse. He also decided to join a cult called the Manchees, which had false beliefs about life. They told him that they had a great leader who would come and speak. Augustine waited a couple of years for the speaker to arrive, but when the speaker came, he didn’t know anything more than Augustine did and just used flowery language.
Wanting to turn from his sin Augustine wrestled with himself for a whole day. He knew that to serve God he would have to give up his sexual sins. Opening his Bible he opened it up to (Romans 13: 13-14) "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, in concupiscence.” After that he submitted himself to God completely.

The amazing thing about the story of Augustine is how a sinful person can turn totally to God. His mother also became a saint because of her diligent prayer for her son to come to God. Saint Augustine is a great example of a mess being transformed into something beautiful.

A Victorian Christmas

In the Victorian age, a small table-top Christmas tree was usually set up in the living room area. Instead of electric Christmas lights, people decked their trees with real candles. Although the tree looked wonderful when every candle was lit, families couldn’t leave the candles burning for long because the open fires were dangerous. A bucket of water was often kept beside the tree for emergencies.

Also hung on the tree were strings of popcorn and cranberries, which were simple and inexpensive, but colorful and festive. Some families set up a Nativity or outdoor scene under the tree, using moss for grass and mirrors for ponds. Because ornaments weren’t popularly sold at stores, most ornaments were home-made. Young women spent hours crafting detailed, exquisite paper ornaments from scraps, adorned with lace, ribbon, and beads. Decorations included fruit, cotton-batting Father Christmas, pine cones, children’s mittens, paper fans and paper cornucopias filled with nuts, candies, and berries. Among the branches were hidden goodies and trinkets of all kinds, like jewelry, tin soldiers, whistles, dolls, and cookies, and of course, an angel at the top. Victorian families adored finding new exciting ways to give their gifts. One way they did this was by hanging tags on the tree, each with a family member’s name on it. Connected to each tag was a long ribbon, which they wound through the branches and around the furniture. Tied to the end was the matching name’s gift!

The War Years and Christmas

In the 1940s, the ideal Christmas tree was large and exquisite. The bigger the better. Large colored lights lit the tree with artificial beauty. Because of the industrial revolution, mass production was able to turn out inexpensive plastic and blown glass ornaments, like the brand Shiny Brite. Absolutely the most important feature of the tree was the amount of silver tinsel dripping from its boughs. During most of the 40s, World War II was being fought, so patriotic details were popular on the Christmas trees, like small American flags. (Those original flags would have included only 48 stars). Other nifty trends were making Chinese lanterns and paper chains out of construction paper for tree decorations. A favorite activity for families in 1930s and 1940s was sitting around the radio listening to the Orson Welles dramatization of “A Christmas Carol.” From 1934-1938, the voice of Scrooge was brilliantly played by Lionel Barrymore, while in 1939 it was played by Orson Welles, himself. Fun fads for children in the 1930s and 1940s were games like Dominoes, Monopoly, Sorry, Candy Land, Shoots and Ladders, Clue, and Scrabble. Children also enjoyed paper dolls, marbles, Raggedy Ann and Andy, comic books, and metal die-cast trucks.

The Space Age and Christmas

In the late 50s and early 60s an extremely different sort of tree was being set up in living rooms around America: the aluminum tree. Many pamphlets were available during the 60s declaring the most fashionable ways to decorate your aluminum Christmas tree. Putting lights on the tree was an electrical hazard; therefore, a color wheel¸ which is a rotating wheel made up of four different colors that reflect off the tree, was a must-have. Matching color schemes were all the rage, especially in colors like blue and pink.

Instead of a radio, the center of the living room was now the TV, with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer debuting on television in 1964.
Although many things changed in the 50s and 60s “A Christmas Carol” did not fail to be included in this decade. In 1951 the movie “A Christmas Carol” was released with Alastair Sim as hum-bugging Ebenezer Scrooge.

Because of the baby boom in the 40s and 50s, over half of the population was made up of children, so children’s toys were being made at a gigantic rate. As most adults had grown up during World War II, parents were eager to give their children all the things they hadn’t been able to have when they were young. The shelves of stores boasted numerous kinds of toys, including Slinkies, Silly Putty, metal doll houses, dozens of different board games, matchbox cars, and the Barbie Doll, invented in 1959. Gone were the days of only one kind of dolly! Mr. Potato Head, the Hula Hoop, Ant Farms, and Frisbees were also big hits.