Did you make a wish this year?

Author: Charles M. Schulz
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2004-01-01
Features: For Snoopy, who was born in 1950, his last major turning point as a person (dog) occurred in 1960. He bravely stood up and no longer walked on all fours with no dignity. He began to think independently and was no longer the of that round-headed kid. He found that sleeping on the roof was easier to showcase his talents, and even when he fell, he could say such famous lines as, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." In the next 40 years, Snoopy contentedly embraced the role of "the greatest dog in the world." Except for rare occasions, he generally believed that "dogs" were indeed a species unrelated to him. And he was the World War I pilot, the meticulous writer, the cool guy strolling on Sunday afternoons, a verbose lawyer whose activities rarely went beyond the backyard, with followers merely four clumsy birds. His camping dream was nothing more than eating instant white cake, but this didn't stop him from going to the moon, organizing large-scale military offensives, or having a few drinks in a Parisian tavern. In short, apart from his deep-seated hatred for cats, he lacked any trace of being a "dog." Charlie Brown had to despair of enduring this companion's arrogance, insensitivity, and relentless determination. Look, even when starving at night, Snoopy still displayed a baronial dignity and pride. Over the past few decades, at least 355 million people worldwide have stared at his life daily, yet it never affected his nonchalant attitude. For 50 years, the American Charles M. Schulz had been drawing Peanuts comic strips nonstop, idolizing Picasso but still being a one-sided wish to push him into the ranks of immortal artists. Moreover, for many years, this unassuming old man's greatest wish was simply to be accompanied by these little men and dogs. The daily comic strips could not carry the true pursuit of intellect and emotion. He inherited the tradition of serial columns from Balzac, Alexandre Dumas, and Charles Dickens, but aside from talent, the form and space he had were much smaller. On those idle afternoons, those disheartened and lonely nights, nothing was more comforting than reading Peanuts. You watch these little guys' troubled childhoods, Charlie Brown grieving over football and kites, a little dog facing the eternal dilemma—he wants to be everything but ultimately remains a dog. Within those small boxes, though the plots are ordinary and repetitive, you never get tired of them, just like Snoopy never refuses another plate of cookies. What is it that entices us? Since the late 1960s, Schulz intentionally limited Snoopy's shine because this little beagle was so charming that he even guided the development of the comic. From Charlie Brown's frustrations, we see the reality of life, the helplessness and mediocrity we face, but Snoopy turns daily life into real adventures: a dry swimming pool becomes the English Channel, a pointed roof becomes a fighter jet, and all the residents of Peanuts Village become Snoopy's supporting characters, their reason for existence being to highlight this extraordinary little dog. With sunglasses on, Snoopy, like the blind Borges, practices "strong imagination creates reality." Schulz preferred Charlie Brown, while Snoopy carelessly shone. Please put on your flying helmet, and we will follow our comic hero on an exciting adventure. Look at him—he's truly an amazing little dog.
Snoopy and His Friends:
Charlie Brown is a kind and considerate person, but his actions often go awry, and he is extremely clumsy. He is both the team captain and pitcher on the baseball team but keeps losing, secretly admires a red-haired girl but dares not confess, and seems to embody all the sorrows of life. Yet he remains optimistic, generous, and always gives his all. He is Snoopy's owner.
Snoopy is an all-around athlete with a passion for writing novels. He loves cookies and ice cream and can be considered a little beagle not much like a dog. His greatest interest is to transform into others—sometimes celebrities, sometimes heroes of World War I, or even famous surgeons. His greatest hatred is for the neighbor's cat.
Sally Brown, Charlie Brown's sister, deeply admires Linus and dreams of becoming his bride every day. She is very tough and charming, always doing things neatly and efficiently; she is a capable girl who dislikes schoolwork.
Woodstock (Hoo-hoo) is a strange horse who can barely fly if he tries immediately and often forgets to fly back to his homeland as a migratory bird. He is Snoopy's most loyal secretary and best friend, and only Snoopy can understand what he says.
Lucy is talkative and loves to criticize others, a very sharp-tongued person who believes the world revolves around her—a selfish egotist. She often tries to sell herself to her crush, Shermy, but he clearly isn't moved.
Linus is Lucy's younger brother, always wrapped in his blanket, the scholar of the "Peanuts family," often quoting the Bible and speaking with the authoritative tone of a scientist. He is a very charming teenager.
Peppermint Patty is always sleepy during class and not good at studying, but she has a natural talent for sports, especially baseball. She is a very tomboyish girl who doesn't only believe Snoopy is human but also likes Charlie Brown. She is very original in her personality.
Marcie is a diligent girl who sits behind Peppermint Patty. Although she does well in her studies and is clear-headed, she often acts spontaneously in daily life. She admires Peppermint Patty and is also infatuated with Charlie Brown.
Shermy is an artist who can play Beethoven's famous piano compositions with a toy piano. He is a competent catcher on the baseball team, but his mind is often on Beethoven while playing.
Rerun is Lucy and Linus's younger brother, who always rides his mother's bicycle.
Franklin is Charlie Brown's favorite confidant and does very well in school.
Peanut is a little boy covered in dirt, seemingly born with the ability to attract filth.
Spork is Snoopy's older brother, living alone in the wilderness of the desert, a lonely little dog.