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Sunday, December 05, 2004
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Frosty The Snowman: The Greatest Story Ever Told
In only one short half hour of must see TV, Frosty The Snowman manages
to embody the deepest themes of human experience under a deceptively
cute and entertaining cartoon facade. Frosty subtly illustrates answers
to the great questions that have puzzled sages through all the ages.
What is our purpose for
being here?
To go to the north pole. Frosty needs to go to the north pole before
he/she melts. Frosty is an androgenous hero, a transcendent evolved
figure, so we must not assign frosty male or female characteristics.
Yes, "snowman" would imply the male gender, but that is a mere artifact
of the era in which the documentary was made, combined with historical
prejudices in the english language. Clearly Frosty's physiognomy is
gender neutral.
Melting is a metaphor for the constant physical and social temptations
assailing us. Frosty's trial of his/her flight north symbolizes
every human's hero journey to find meaning and mastery over their
animal selves.
You can only live by going north. You can only truly live by making the
journey. Staying where you are, reveling in your
unknowing-unexamined-unchallenged self, is sure death. The warmth will
disintegrate your insubstantial snow self back down to the primary
element of water. In the cool calm of the north, by merging with the
life wind, you can transubstantiate yourself into something worthy.
The fact that the north is all white is another lamentable artifact of
the era in which the documentary was made. Despite this gaping flaw,
the truth of the lessons we experience are still valid.
Where did we come from?
The narrator never tells us and we are never shown. It is left a
mystery for our own contemplation and reflection. Though one suspects
the north pole is the source. We know magic is in the world. Frosty is
brought to life from an evil magician's magic hat. That such good can
from evil shows we by nature are unbroken.
What happens to us when we die?
Because the north wind resurrects Frosty it is clear we do not
die. Our minds must stay whole until the north wind brings form back to
us all. For Frosty this is a yearly return and rebirth in celebration
with his/her loved ones.
Is there a god?
Yes: Santa Claus. Santa covers the world giving out gifts. Santa has a
magic flying carriage. Santa knows if you have been bad and won't give
you any gifts if you are not good. Remember when Santa told the evil
magician he would get no more presents if he did give Frosty back the
hat? Santa controlled the north wind that brought Frosty back to form.
The magic hat gave Frosty life. Life is a gift. Life is magic.
Life can only be sustained through the loving willful acts of us all.
What is the greatest truth?
Love. Karen (the little girl) is willing to sacrifice her life so
Frosty can live. And Frosty, in turn, when Karen is in danger, is
willing to give his life so Karen can be warm and live. And Frosty does
die so Karen can live. Frosty melts and dies in a greenhouse. The
greenhouse is a oasis of green fecund life inside a world of bitter
killing cold for the unprepared. Yet they manage to find the greenhouse
in their greatest hour of need. And without a thought of self Frosty
enters the warmth he/she knows will kill he/she, knowing it will assure
Karen's survival.
Hocus (the rabbit), the wise loving child within all of us, guides
Santa to the greenhouse. Notice Hocus, by his nature is furry, so does
not grow cold in the world.
Santa exists and acts in the world. Santa recognizes the completion of
Frosty's journey and self-sacrifice by inviting the north wind to give
form back to Frosty and then by persuading the evil magician to give
Frosty back the magic hat so Frosty may live again. Then Santa pledges
to reunite the loving family and friends every year.
Santa is cool.
9:53:34 AM 
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© Copyright
2006
todd hoff.
Last update:
7/11/2006; 1:22:28 PM.
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