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Nine Different Santas

Nine Portrayals of Santa

Turkish Archaeologists believe they have discovered the grave of St. Nicholas, the saint who was the basis for Santa Claus (or “Father Christmas). It isn’t important who this figure “really was”. What is important is what he means to families across the world. Santa has been portrayed by a wide range of Character Types.

Power of Ambition

Power of Ambition characters seek approval. They feel the need to impress those around them. Their status, prestige and popularity are critical to them. Their need for admiration is their biggest weakness.

Ed Asner’s wonderful portrayal as Santa in the 2003 classic film, Elf, shows us a Santa struggling to keep up with the times, the changing tastes of increasingly demanding children, and a populace whose belief in him is dwindling. His Santa is uneasy with the use of rocket engines on his sleigh but uses what he believes will give him an advantage. He is obsessed with making sure that others buy his flawless facade. Asner’s Santa faces irrelevance and has little time for the antics of Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell). Buddy (a Power of Imagination character), is an innocent who saves Christmas, and Santa as well.

Power of Conscience

Power of Conscience characters fight for what is right. Moral outrage often drives their actions. They do what they believe is right and want to correct any perceived wrongs (in their eyes). These characters are propelled by their convictions and believe it their duty to stand up for what is just and fair.

Krampus (Luke Hakwer), the antagonist in the 2014 film of the same name, is the Anti-Santa, is a European folklore character who traditionally punishes children who misbehave – the antithesis of “The Jolly Old Elf”.

The havoc he wrecks in the film is not out of a sense of enjoyment but is a means to an end.  He metes out deserved punishment to those who desecrate the name of Santa Claus. He is determined to deliver justice to the ungrateful. There is no maliciousness in his actions (although, in this film, the same cannot be said for his execution of those actions), but he does serve his purpose. Krampus is a unique way to look at the iconic figure of Santa- a warped mirror version whose reward for those who behave is to survive the ordeal. Those who are naughty suffer at his unforgiving hand.

Power of Excitement

Power of Excitement characters are carefree, irresponsible, and reckless. They are always in pursuit of a good time and their own selfish desires. These characters push the envelope, forever testing their luck, fuelled by a devil-may-care attitude.

Willie T. Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) in Bad Santa is an excellent example of the Dark Side of this character type. He is seductive, wicked, and inconsiderate of others.  He uses them for his own pleasure.

He and his sidekick pose as Santa and an Elf each Christmas at shopping malls to rob the malls during closing hours. Willie is a red-suited Santa who is not caring or altruistic. He represents the Dark Side of the Power of Excitement- and certainly not on the “nice” list!

Power of Idealism

Power of Idealism characters strive for excellence and try to elevate everything around them. They are rarely satisfied, always looking for ways to make things life unique or special. These characters are frustrated when nothing is good enough, and others don’t rise to their impossibly high standards.

Père Noël  (James Cosmo) resides in Narnia, appearing on screen in the adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Père Noël has been thwarted for years by the White Witch. As her grip loosens on Narnia, he is able to return to his life’s mission.

He is a frustrated character and who embraces the classic legend behind Father Christmas. Although this portrayal is different to the Santa in our world, Père Noël is aware of his importance as someone who delivers hope and joy. Perhaps more humble than most Power of Idealism characters, he embraces his special destiny, as any good example of this Character Type would.

Power of Imagination

Power of Imagination characters are reluctant souls who have greatness thrust upon them (like it or not). Despite their initial unwillingness, they are the heart and soul that holds any kind of endeavour. These characters see things through to the end because no one else is brave enough to do so

In The Santa Clause, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), accidentally kills the real Santa Claus on Christmas Eve and, without realising, takes his place. Thus begins his physical transformation into Santa. Scott goes on a journey, and as he understands the kind of love, selflessness and kindness needed to become Santa, Scott becomes a representative of those values. Scott is an ordinary man who accepts the Santa Clause- something supernatural and unavoidable- and embraces the extraordinary circumstances granting him Santa’s incredible responsibility.

Power of Love

Power of Love characters can, for better or worse, be all-consuming in their love of others, and they devote themselves to knowing what loved ones need before they, themselves know they need it. They believe that others owe them for the dedication they have given others. But these traits come from a good place- a drive to nurture and to care.

In Miracle on 34th Street, the 1947 original film, Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is institutionalised as insane for claiming to be the real Santa Claus.  A young lawyer (John Payne) takes up his defence in court. The lawyer is won over by Kris because of his kind and giving nature. Kris gets what he wants quietly, presenting kindness and caring as only the real Santa could.

He represents the type of Santa most people imagine, a grandfatherly sort who is only concerned with the happiness of children. Kris Kringle focuses on helping others reconcile, and this quality saves him from being fired at Macy’s, passing a psychological evaluation, and winning a court case. This portrayal and this Character Type is the most heartfelt representation of Santa Claus.

Power of Reason

Power of Reason characters see the world as a series of puzzles to be solved logically. Their reality is based on rules and order. They cannot deal with spontaneity and flexibility. Things must run precisely, and there must be a rationale for every choice.

A great example of a Power of Reason Santa than Steve (voiced by Hugh Laurie), the eldest son of the current Father Christmas, Malcolm, (voiced by Jim Broadbent) in Arthur Christmas. He ignores the old-fashioned unruliness of his grandfather, and keeps his own dad on the sidelines.

Malcolm is merely a figurehead in a seamless transition where Steve has taken his place.  Steve replaces an inefficient sleigh drawn by reindeer with the latest high-tech delivery systems to ensure maximum efficiency.

He is more of a strategist than a caring figure, more concerned with operational excellence than the actual individual joy of children. Steve is strategic in a militaristic sense. This is a particularly aggressive example of a Power of Reason character, Steve is ruthless in ensuring that everything goes to plan and runs on time, no matter the cost.

Power of Truth

Power of Truth characters are on edge, forever vigilant for some sort of conspiracy that threatens them. There is always a mystery to solve, or a betrayal to identify. They are distrusting, insecure and never truly at ease with themselves or the world.

The animated adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas shows a curmudgeon (voiced by Mel Smith) who just wants to live the quiet life. There are no elves and no Mrs Claus, only the reindeer in his garage and his greedy cat and dog. When Father Christmas tries to find solace on holiday in various locations, every time his efforts at relaxation are thwarted by members of the public recognizing him, forcing him to move on. This is a Santa in hiding, afraid of recognition, and it’s as close to a paranoid interpretation of the character as you are likely to get.

Power of Will

Power of Will characters are conquerors and dominators. They take control of everything, be it situations, people, or territory. They have only one goal, and that is to own everything and everyone.

Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon) from The Nightmare Before Christmas attempts to be Santa Claus. He understands the joy that this figure brings to children, and falls in love with Christmas.  He is weary from his countless years as the “Pumpkin King” of Halloween Town.

Despite his good intentions, borne out of frustration, he enables the enslavement of and torture of the real “Sandy Claws”.  Jack takes his place, with the help of a town whose people he has convinced to carry out his bidding. Jack is merely doing what he has always done- take control. He becomes Santa Claus by force, delivering horrific presents to children because he believes it is what they will want, with no consideration for others, so long as he is calling the shots.

For more examples of all the character types, you can purchase my in-depth e-books at the ETB shop, or you can read more articles on all the “Power Of…” types including James Bond, Doctor Who, Batman and Sherlock Holmes. There are also nine pinterest boards full of character examples online. Check them out and let us know at ETBHelp@gmail.com if you have any other suggestions.

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