How the Grinch Stole Christmas Essay Questions

How is Who-ville presented in the story?

Who-ville is a small town in which the Whos reside. The defining feature of this community is the fact they love Christmas. Overall, the Whos are depicted as warm and loving people, who make one another feel welcomed and accepted. This is represented by the fact they join hands together and sing Christmas carols, even after all of their presents and decorations have been stolen.

How does the narrator emphasize the Grinch's loneliness?

The Grinch is clearly a lonely and isolated character. The narrator emphasizes this point by contrasting the darkness of his cave to the warmth of Who-ville: "Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinchy frown at the warm-lighted windows below in their town." As the Grinch's frustration with the Whos builds, it becomes clear that he is envious of their community and sad to be so alone.

What is the moral of the story?

Like many children's books, How the Grinch Stole Christmas advances a particular moral. At the end of the story, the Grinch is surprised to hear the Whos singing when they should, having lost all their presents, be crying. The singing makes the Grinch question the true meaning of Christmas, and he realizes that Christmas is not about material possessions but instead about community, togetherness, and celebration.