The Origin Story
Rudolph, as many know from the song, helped Santa see during the dark, stormy night to deliver presents to boys and girls all across the world. Ever wonder where Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer came from? Where did it originate from? The idea of Rudolph the red nose reindeer began in Chicago, way before the song and every other story or idea about him came about. In 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, the oddball reindeer, Rudolph, was born.
Montgomery Ward asked one of its copywriters, Robert May, to create a story for a coloring booklet the store could give away at Christmas. They had wanted it to be a story of an animal. Lacking in inspiration other than it should be about Santa’s reindeer, he turned to his daughter. She loved going to see the deer at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Subsequently, he had the idea to make the main character of the story a oddball reindeer, who would be the hero of the story. This story ended up being a great deal, it was very successful instantly.
True Meaning
The song “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” is one of the many beloved jingles that people listen to during the holiday season. Clark Terry wrote this song about a misfit in the family who he does not fit in; with his bright red nose, he is picked on for. Many people know this heartwarming tune. However, very few people are aware of the true deep meaning behind the lyrics.
The main message behind the song is to encourage people to make the most out of life. To embrace their unique qualities and differences. This bright nose reindeer was ashamed of who he was because he was different, and the other reindeer made fun of him for that. But what they did not know was that he was going to be very helpful in the long run and saved Christmas one foggy night.
Movies
The TV special of “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” was animated in 1964 that was produced by Videocraft International, Ltd. NBCUniversal television distribution (was later known as NBCUniversal Syndication Studios) is currently distributing it. The movie first debuted on Dec. 6, 1964. Santa’s head reindeer, Donner, and his wife had birthed Rudolph. However, they were shocked to find that he had a bright red nose.
They wanted him to fit in so badly, they tried some things to cover his red nose up. At first it was mud, but when that turned out to be a fail, they put a fake nose on him.
Farther in the movie, all the other fawns were learning to fly. That’s when Rudolph met a doe named Clarice. Furthermore, she admittedly tells him he is cute, and this seems to make Rudolph fly. But when he was celebrating with the other fawns, his fake nose had fell off. The other reindeer began to make fun of him, and Coach Comet had expelled him. Later on it was super foggy and there was no way Santa was going to be able to deliver presents to all the boys and girls in that weather. That’s when Rudolph came in to save the day, causing everyone’s perspective of him changed.
Ultimate Plot
Even though every song, movie, and story of Rudolph seems to have it’s own little twists and turns to it, there was always one very thing that stays the same. Bullying. Everyone judged Rudolph because he was unique and different. But is that really fair? Everyone and everything is different. Yet, the other reindeer kicked him out of their groups, and did not include him from so many things all because he had a bright red nose. That is not very fair. It never feels good.
So why bully? Why make something that is different or unique for someone else a problem? It causes people to be uncomfortable in their own body, in their own home, or head, all because they are different.
Bullying is never ok. Everyone has their flaws and everyone has their strengths. Sometimes it is the flaws that turns out to be the strength. Rudolph is a Christmas story loved worldwide. Furthermore, he is a great example for people learn that they shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. Because it is not always what is seems to be.
Sources:
IdTheme: The Meaning Behind the Song ‘Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’
WBBM: As Chicago as Deep Dish Pizza: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Urban Explorer: History the Red Nose Reindeer’s Roots
Wikipedia: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (TV Special)
Inset Image Courtesy of Mike Mozart Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Featured Image Courtesy of Red Norman Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
