Please To Remember...

[poliphilo]

The shops used to carry Guy Fawkes masks. This year I haven't seen a single one. There probably weren't any last year either, but I wasn't looking.

Oldham used to mount a  big civic firework display in the park. That was dropped several years ago- round about the beginning of the millennium- and no-one seems to have complained- or even noticed.

Bonfire Night has been edged out by Halloween. Ghosts and witches instead of Catholic terrorists with Van Dyck beards. It's understandable. Ghosts and witches are perennially fascinating; most of us stopped being frightened of pointy-bearded Catholics a while ago.

I did wonder whether V For Vendetta might reverse the trend. Apparently not. Alan Moore's novel is a period piece- which could be why the film didn't do that well. No contemporary freedom fighter would think of wearing a Guy Fawkes mask. Apart from anything else, he wouldn't be able to find a shop to sell him one.

Comments

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

Good grief, that's not right. And certainly nothing what I've ever experienced growing up in the States. While hooliganism does happen here on Halloween, it's rare.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

In the USA trick or treating has deep historical roots. Over here it's just suddenly appeared- and no-one- neither the trick or treaters nor the householders- really understands the social compact on which it's based.

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it does seem anchorless. I have no idea where youths got the idea to demand money they way you describe. That's nothing I recognize from an American Halloween.

If the holiday sticks across the pond, hopefully it will evolve into something tamer. Right now it sounds less like a chance for children to dress up and get candy, and more an excuse for hooliganism.