User:Grosstuff

the greatest Gift: by philip van doren stern

George Pratt, the protagonist in the story, is in fact likened to Jesusin the sense that he was somewhat a saviour-esp so seen in the case when he saved his brother, harry. also, jesus was reseracted-he died for the sins we committed. and later he arose....just as such, george too was robbed of his life and later on was regranted it. this whole story takes place on christmas eve. chritmas was indeed the day that christ was born. and in this case, george pratt is robbed of his life on christmas eve. written in the 3rd person point of view, we are not so close to george as we do not see the world exactly through his eyes. therefore, in my opinion, it seems that van doren stern wants us to realise that we are in fact very much detatched from george and do not understand his innermost emotion thoroughly.- esp so in the beginning when he plans to take away his own life. the "non-existent scar (on the tree) bothered him". it shows us that in a life pne lives, he impacts everyone around him in a certain manner- which in this case is symbolized through the scar. when looked at in another point of view, the scar is also one which george had inflicted upon himself for all the responsibilities he carries. however, now, without the scar of responsibility which every being will have to carry at any point of his life, he is truly "bothered". when he goes to see his beloved wife, mary, he realizes that she had instead married Art, who had also courted her. the bank at which he used to wark at had Marty working at it- his competition when applying for the job. he realizes that without any competition, the others are in power. however, otherwise, he was the better of the choice-things which he had taken granted of and not appreciated. Art is seen as THE FATHER, his son is seen as THE SON and george is seen as THE HOLY SPIRIT.