The Grinch

ORIGIN

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

OCCUPATION

Hermit Inventor

POWERS / SKILLS

Cunning Stealth Vehicular mastery Flight (with sleigh) Resistance to hot/cold temperatures High tolerance to pain Oneirokinesis Somnokinesis Can crawl on walls like a spider Superhuman strength Manipulation Sharp fingernails Can eat glass

HOBBY

Inventing. Eating onions and glass. Ordering Max around.

GOALS

Put an end to Christmas in Whoville by stealing all of the Who's presents, food, and decorations (failed; abandoned). Terrorize Whoville or anyone who displeases him (formerly). Bring back all of the things that he stole from the Who's. Get with Martha May Whovier. Get revenge on the Mayor (all succeeded).

CRIMES

TYPE OF VILLAINTheft Animal cruelty Stalking Breaking and entering Tampering with mail Arson Reckless driving Conspiracy Kidnapping Vandalism Sabotage Terrorism Disturbance of peace Threats of violence

TYPE OF VILLAIN

Vengeful Trickster

Personality

The Grinch hated Christmas. The whole Christmas season. Now, please, don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be that his head wasn't screwed on just right. Or it could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. But I think that the most likely reason of all… may have been that his heart was two sizes too small. THE NARRATOR ABOUT THE GRINCH. Similar to his original counterpart, the Grinch is shown to be mean-tempered, bitter, ill-tempered, very grouchy, selfish, sociopathic and wrathful in nature. To that end, he would play harmful pranks on the citizens of Whoville, such as tampering with their mail, making prank calls and scaring trespassers from entering into his lair. He's also somewhat abusive to his dog Max as he would lash out orders at him, though he genuinely cares about him; even complimenting him for scaring off intruders from his lair and holding him up carefully while hanging above the ceiling to prevent themselves from being caught in the post office. However, the real reason behind his cold-hearted disposition is because he was picked on when he was a child; he was an outcast at school, was bullied by his classmate, Augustus Maywho and that the horrible treatment is what drove him over the edge to become the Christmas-hating person he was ever known. The only one that didn't bully him was his childhood crush, Martha May Whovier. Despite his flaws, the Grinch is somewhat insecure as he thinks of himself as nothing but a monster to be hated because of his appearance and nature. However, it wasn't until the intervention of Cindy Lou Who and the epiphany of the true meaning of Christmas is what made him learn the error of his ways, even admitting that he does love Max and willing to return the gifts and decorations that he stole from the Whos.

Part of Personality

Compared to any other Grinch incarnation, this Grinch is noticeably more unhinged, eccentric and deranged than any other version of The Grinch. In the similar veins of Robbie Rotten, he's remarkably aloof and clown-like in his voice and movements in a incredibly cartoonish, energetic and exaggerated way, he also tends to be rather jocular and over-the-top, as well as throwing child-like tantrums at the drop of a hat. Despite all of his silliness and exuberance, he also exhibits remarkable engineering and crafty skills as his sleigh actually flies and even as a child, he manufactured a rather beautiful angel tree topper. He's also insightful as he saw the Whos as commercialized, materialistic and wasteful beings because they take their holiday for granted by asking for gifts before disposing of them in favor for more to satisfy their greed, to which he's correct about. Surprisingly, in the end, the Whos finally learned from their mistake for commercializing the holiday, which was the main reason why they decided to forgive the Grinch after he apologized for stealing their gifts and decorations.

Biography

The Grinch arrived in Whoville by mistake when he was a baby and was adopted by two elderly sisters. Although he showed some sadistic tendencies as a child, the Grinch was raised in a nice childhood by the sisters. Despite having a good childhood, the Grinch was an outcast at school as he was bullied by classmates (mainly by Augustus Maywho) because of his green and hairy appearance. The only classmate to show him any kindness was Martha May Whovier, whom he had a crush on. One Christmas season when he was eight-years-old, the Grinch made an angel as a gift for Martha, but he attempted to shave his face after remembering what all the kids said, cutting himself in the process. When all the classmates saw the Grinch's face covered with shaving tape the next morning, they laughed at him for this, with the exception of Martha, who furiously glares at the classmates for this. Fed up with this mockery, the Grinch furiously went on a rampage by destroying the class' tree and presents, scaring everyone out of his way as he ran away from home to live on Mt. Crumpit. Over the years, the Grinch remained in hiding in a huge cave and became an urban legend due to brief sightings, developing an odious hatred for Christmas and the Whos for their mockery against him, even pulling dangerous and harmful practical jokes on them while Augustus becomes the new Mayor of Whoville. He eventually found a lost dog, naming him Max and taking him under his wing.

Part of Biography

It wasn't until a six-year-old girl named Cindy Lou Who believes that everyone is missing the point about Christmas by being more concerned about the gifts and festivities. After having a face-to-face encounter with the Grinch at the post office, which he saves her from being crushed by a post office machine on the insistence of Max, Cindy Lou becomes interested in his history. The next day, she asks everyone what they know about him and learns about his tragic past. Touched by this story, Cindy decides to make the Grinch the main participant of the Whobilation, to the great displeasure of Augustus, who reluctantly agrees after pressure from the townspeople who have been warmed by Cindy Lou's generous spirit. When Cindy Lou goes to Mount Crumpit and offers an invitation to the Grinch, he turns her down. He gradually changes his mind, however, due to the promise of an award, the presence of Martha at the celebration and the chance to upset the Mayor. Just as the Grinch is enjoying himself and almost won over by attending all of the Whobilation's contests and games, the Mayor gives him an electric shaver as a present, reminding him of his awful humiliation at school, prompting everyone to laugh. The Mayor even tops it off by asking Martha to marry him, promising her a new car in return. This causes the Grinch to snap and berate the Whos for thinking that Christmas is about gifts that they'll just dispose of later in the hopes of making them too ashamed to celebrate the holiday.

Part of Biography

The Grinch then goes on to ruin the party by burning the Christmas tree with a makeshift flamethrower (although his actions prove fruitless as the Whos have a spare tree, which the Grinch sees them erect before he leaves). Returning back to Mt. Crumpit, the Grinch instead concocts a plan to steal all of their presents while they are sleeping. Creating a Santa suit and sleigh with Max as a "reindeer", the Grinch flies around Whoville, stealing all of the Whos' Christmas gifts. He's almost caught by Cindy Lou, but lies to her in order to leave her house. The next day, the Grinch manages to get Max to ride the sleigh up into the top of Mt. Crumpit, happily declaring the success of his plan. At that time, the Whos discover the Grinch's scheme and Augustus denounces Cindy Lou as the root of this catastrophic disaster. However, Cindy's father Lou Lou Who (the Whoville postmaster) finally stands up to Augustus by saying that he doesn't care if the Grinch took away all their presents. Finally understanding of what both the Grinch and Cindy Lou are trying to convey about the avarice that the Whos brought for the holiday, Lou reminds everyone that they still have the Christmas spirit and that the true meaning of Christmas is to spend time with loved ones, and that the Grinch wouldn't have hated Christmas if the Mayor hadn't bullied him in the first place. With this revelation, all the Whos agreed with Lou and decided to enjoy the holiday without their gifts by singing together. Hoping that the change of mood would inspire the Grinch, Cindy Lou goes to Mt. Crumpit to find him. Upon hearing the Whos joyfully singing, the Grinch became initially furious over the failure of his plan, but has an epiphany about the true meaning of Christmas, an insight that profoundly touches him and causes his heart to grow to three times its original size.

Part of Biography

When Max sees that the sleigh is beginning to go over the edge of the cliff, he informs the Grinch, who desperately tries to save them to no avail. However, he spots Cindy Lou wanting to wish him a Merry Christmas and is in danger of falling off the cliff with the sleigh, the Grinch finds enough strength to lift the sleigh, the gifts and Cindy Lou to safety. After a long descent down Mount Crumpit, the Grinch drives the sleigh down to Whoville with Cindy Lou and Max. He confesses to the burglary and apologizes for his actions before surrendering to the police, willing to accept his punishment for his crimes. However, the police and the Whos decided to forgive the Grinch as they all learned a lesson about the holiday; Martha turns down Augustus' proposal by saying that she would rather stay with the Grinch. Realizing now that all of Whoville's citizens have turned against him for what he did to the Grinch, Augustus reluctantly shakes the Grinch's hand to assure no hard feelings, though the Grinch laughs at Augustus before telling him to cheer up since it's the holidays. He turns a light on the Christmas tree and all the Christmas lights are turned on. Cindy Lou Who says Merry Christmas to the Grinch and gives him a kiss on his cheek. They join in the rest of Whoville and sing together around the Christmas tree. The Grinch starts a new life with the Whos as he commemorates the Christmas feast with them in his cave; even allowing Max to get the first slice of the roast beast, much to Max's delight. Martha starts a romantic relationship with the Grinch and she holds his arm as he cuts the roast beast and getting the gizzards for himself.

Quotes

THE GRINCH TRICKING MAX WITH THROWING A STICK. Blast this Christmas music!! It's joyful and triumphant. THE GRINCH BEING ANNOYED TO LEARN THAT HE WAS SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS DURING HIS SLEEP. The nerve of those Whos. Inviting me down there - on such short notice! Even if I wanted to go, my schedule wouldn't allow it! Four o'clock, wallow in self pity; Four-thirty, stare into the abyss; Five o'clock, solve world hunger, tell no one; Five-thirty, jazzercize; Six-thirty, dinner with me - I can't cancel that again; Seven o'clock, wrestle with my self-loathing... I'm booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to nine, I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?! THE GRINCH'S PERSONAL LIST. It's because I'm green, isn't it?! THE GRINCH AFTER A TAXI CAB PASSES HIM. With this coat, and this hat, I'll look just like St. Nick. [maniacally] HO, HO, HO!!! THE GRINCH AFTER DISGUISING HIMSELF AS SANTA CLAUS. This could be a little more difficult to negotiate... HEADS UP, WHOVILLE!! Out of the way, I have no insurance!! THE GRINCH RIDING HIS SLEIGH BACK TO WHOVILLE TO RETURN ALL THE GIFTS, FOOD, AND DECORATIONS THAT HE STOLE. Thanks for the help, Lou! (Cindy: Hi, Daddy!) (Lou: Hi, Cindy-honey!) MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!! THE GRINCH THANKING CINDY'S FATHER LOU FOR HELPING OUT IN STOPPING THE SLEIGH FROM CRASHING.

Part if Quotes:

You got me, Officer! I did it: I'm the Grinch that stole Christmas, and I'm... sorry. (holds his fists in surrender) Aren't you gonna cuff me, put me in a chokehold, or blind me with pepper spray? (Augustus: You heard him, Officer! He admitted it! I'd go with the pepper spray.) (Officer: Yes, I heard him all right... he said he was sorry. Besides, looks like everything's all here and accounted for.) THE GRINCH CONFESSING HIS CRIMES AND EXPRESSING HIS APOLOGY BEFORE SURRENDERING HIMSELF TO THE POLICE, ONLY TO SEE THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO FORGIVE HIM AS THEY LEARNED A LESSON ABOUT THE HOLIDAY. The Grinch shaking hands with Mayor Augustus Maywho before laughing at him over winning Martha May's heart and telling him to cheer up afterwards. NO HARD FEELINGS. (LAUGHS) CHEER UP, DUDE, IT'S CHRISTMAS. Yeah! There's nothing like the holidays. Who wants the gizzard? (Who citizen: I do!) Too late! That'll be mine... THE GRINCH CUTTING THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY AS HE CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS IN HIS CAVE WITH MAX AND THE WHOVILLE CITIZENS; THE LAST LINES OF THE FILM.

Trivia

Of course, like the book or 1966 and 2018 cartoons where the Grinch is a smart, scheming and manipulative individual, the film shows him to be an entertaining, whimsical, comical and insane person with the scheming qualities. Also, he never mentions "53 years" and instead he mentions "year after year", making the number of years he put up with Christmas ambiguous. In some ways, the film shows that the mayor is just as much a villain as the Grinch, maybe even worse. It is because of the Mayor's bullying, that caused the Grinch to become cold-hearted, unforgiving and diabolical. The original Grinch wasn't green. Like everything else in the book, he was black and white with some red and pink splotches. Jim Carrey's Grinch was originally meant to look like this but Ron Howard wanted the film to also be an adaptation of the Chuck Jones cartoon. Jack Nicholson, Eddie Murphy, Dustin Hoffman and the late Robin Williams were all briefly considered for the role of the Grinch before Jim Carrey was casted.