On Friday night, I joined the Rose Scholars to watch “A Nightmare Before Christmas,” an interesting take on traditional Christmas stories. I had never seen the movie before, which my friends found unbelievable, but I enjoyed it a lot. I found it strange and eerie, and shocking at points, but interesting because it really delved into topics that went beyond a children’s movie. It was about Jack Skellington’s struggle for identity, an identity that society held to be “normal,” and “good.” While Christmas was seen as wholesome and good, Halloween became something on the outskirts. Jack Skellington attempted to become a part of a world that wasn’t who he truly was, all because of an appearance of the “perfect” holiday. It was when Jack accepted the imperfections and messiness of his home in Halloween that he was able to be happy. I really enjoyed the film and watching it with my friends.
Rose Scholars Fall 2018
Endless possibilities
I’ve only seen this movie once and it was years ago. Reading your post makes me interested in seeing the film again, I wonder if I will pick up on themes of self-identity now that I am older!
I also saw the movie for the first time on Friday. I think your take about self-identity is very interesting and one I didn’t think about. I guess it is the idea of not fitting in with the rest of the holidays that makes Halloween feel so unique and refreshing.