Given that Peanut was a long-running comic strip from 1950 to 2000, it's no surprise that Peanut included many references to pop culture, including classic literature. To capture the Harry Potter fervor that was present in the late 90s in referring to some of the most famous and popular children's books, Peanut gave readers past and present a window into what kids were reading at the time.
Well, for the most part, as Rerun at one point refers to a rather surprising novel, which is not the most suitable for children. Without considering, Peanut it generally focuses on its characters' qualities and their interactions with others, as well as their reactions to situations. As a result, there haven't always been many references to things like movies, music, and books in the comic books. However, there were still enough comics referencing classic books to please any bibliophile, which pleases everyone.
10
“A word a day”
March 28, 1972
Snoopy made it his life's mission to read the book War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, choosing to do it one word at a time. That's right: not one page at a time, not even one sentence, but one word at a time. War and Peace is a dictionary-sized Russian novel that is one of the longest books ever written. Consequently, reading the book is quite a task, but reading it word for word is a task that anyone, like Linus in this strip, would find bewildering.
However, Snoopy can't see himself reading the book any other way, enjoying actually diving in and thinking about the single word he just read. Peanut may have stopped making new strips, but it's safe to say Snoopy is still reading War and Peace decades later.
9
“Now, Charlie Brown, you are an ugly beast”
A French fairy tale published in the 18th century, Beauty and the beast is a tale as old as time for many who are familiar with the renowned book. Beauty and the beast It was the subject of several plays and films, with Lucy wanting to make her own version of the fairy tale. She herself casts the project as Belle and gives Charlie Brown the not-so-flattering role of the Beast.
Lucy actually nails it to Charlie Brown that the Beast is ugly and adds insult to injury by saying that when the Beast turns into a handsome prince, the role will be switched to her crush, Schroeder. If there's one thing Lucy will do, it's insult Charlie Brown for no reason.
8
“Have you ever heard of a Cheshire cat?”
April 19, 1967
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is an 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll that has had numerous adaptations, the most famous being the 1951 Disney version, Alice in Wonderland. Thanks to the popularity of the book and its animated version, many are familiar with the character of the Cheshire Cat and his remarkable and surreal ability to become invisible.
When Linus talks to Patty about the Cheshire Cat and his ability to disappear except for his smile, Linus' friend remarks that she likes the cat's habit but finds it completely impossible. Little does she know that Snoopy, in his Cheshire Beagle persona, also has this fantastic ability, with only his smile visible. Snoopy's Cheshire Beagle persona really just involves him doing the disappearing trick, but it's still impressive and a cool nod to a classic children's story.
7
“Dr. Beagle and Mr. Hyde”
March 19, 1980
A seminal work in the gothic horror genre, Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Jekyll The story is very well known, even by those who have never read Robert Louis Stevenson's book. Following a respectable doctor turned into a murderous criminal, Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. appears frequently in popular culture and has even popularized the idea of ​​”Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” referring to someone who appears nice but is secretly evil.
Getting a reference in PeanutSnoopy gets the role of Dr. Jekyll in a play on history, while poor Olaf is stuck playing the ugly, horrible Mr. Playing Mr. Hyde will undoubtedly not help Olaf's self-image, after already being the winner of an Ugly Dog contest.
6
“Old Sport”
May 21, 1998
Author F. Scott Fitzgerald specialized in short stories from the Jazz Age, his most highly regarded work being The Great Gatsby, which has been labeled by some as “The Great American Novel”. The character Jay Gatsby is one of the most famous examples of the rags-to-riches trope in literature. Jay Gatsby inspires a new Snoopy personality in a strange turn of events.
When Snoopy goes to Charlie Brown's school dance, he becomes his new alter ego: “Scott Fitzgerald's hero.” As his new alter ego, he calls people Old Sport, as Jay Gatsby does, and acts very sophisticated, dressing well. Snoopy, as his worldly persona, ends up dancing with Charlie Brown's unrequited love, the little red-haired girl.
5
“Dear Harry Potter”
November 8, 1999
THE Harry Potter book series is a huge success that has brought together fans of all ages since the publication of the first book in 1997. Being a phenomenon so widespread that even Peanut factored the iconic character into one of his comic books, Harry Potter It is rooted in popular culture. In the magic-themed comic, Sally writes a letter to Harry Potter as if he were a real person, saying she is a big fan, and invites him to dinner.
Charlie Brown has to be the messenger and deliver the harsh news that Harry Potter is a fictional character, which makes Sally very upset and causes her to present her dinner invitation. It's not easy when a child learns that their favorite character isn't real, with Sally being a relatable figure for any child who has been through a similar situation.
4
“He's so irrational”
March 30, 1972
It is a well-recognized characteristic of Snoopy that he is reading War and PeaceDoing this one word at a time. Given that he's already started a giant of a romance, it would be a big ask if anyone wanted him to start over. However, his reading strategy ensured that Snoopy only got to the fourth word. But this goes too far for Snoopy, mocking Woodstock's request to read the story to him from the beginning.
The studious beagle is not willing to hear anything like that, thinking that his friend is unreasonable to ask such a big favor of him. Snoopy lives in his own little world, which isn't usually a problem for him, but his less beneficent side is shown when he has to deal with other people who just don't understand.
3
“Tess of the D'Urbervilles”
November 6, 1999
Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy is an important 19th century literary work that was controversial for its portrayal of sexual behavior in Victorian England. As a result, Tess of the D'Urbervilles is not a book that anyone would think would be referenced in Peanut. However, a very early Reprise does just that in this comic, while surprising readers and making them laugh.
​​​​​​Charlie Brown, Linus and Rerun are all on the couch when Charlie Brown mentions that “Sports are all parents and kids talk about.” Linus reasons that there's really nothing left to talk about. Rerun offers an interesting topic of conversation, especially considering he's a very young child: Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Although Rerun's suggestion is interesting, it doesn't seem like it will please children's parents.
2
“More?”
January 11, 1988
When Snoopy takes a page from a Charles Dickens classic and asks for more food, Charlie Brown brings up the unfortunate event that happened to Oliver Twist when he asked for more food: solitary confinement. Snoopy leaves without a second helping hand and is irritated by the “stupid boy“Oliver Twist, what”ruined everything“for everyone else who always wanted more food.
Oliver Twist by Dickens is the story of an orphan who falls on hard times and joins a gang of pickpockets before meeting kind people who help him. The “asking for more” scene in Oliver Twist is undoubtedly the most famous part of the work, with many parodies and references to the scene throughout pop culture. Peanut join in on the fun with your own tribute to Oliver Twistalthough it does involve Snoopy being royally annoyed with the titular character.
1
“As sure as I'm sitting at this table”
Reciting a part of Rudyard Kipling's poem, The Ballad of East and WestPeppermint Patty keeps writing what Mark Twain wrote Huckleberry Finn. Marcie questions her, as Peppermint Patty is often wrong, but Peppermint Patty is very confident, saying she is as sure of her answer as she is sitting at her desk. Unfortunately for her, she falls off the table right as she says this.
She gives proof of why it's important to be careful with your choice of words. Peppermint Patty references two great literary figures, Kipling and Twain, in a comic strip, making the day of the English literature course with this Peanut Prohibited. Although Peppermint Patty isn't the best student, she knows the author of Huckleberry Finn It's a step in the right direction.