Monday, December 19, 2011

The Ultimate Polar Express Analysis

Earlier this month, I attended a viewing of the Polar Express at an IMAX theater for a charity event. This is a movie that typically plays in my house every year, but due to the hustle and bustle of the season I've never really sat down and focused on it like this. As I watched, I realized this movie is loaded with symbolism and has a great message for both kids and adults without getting too preachy. Please note I'm assuming you gentle readers have seen the movie, otherwise this may be tough to follow.


The story centers around a boy who has doubts about Santa Claus. His parent's remark it is the "end of the magic" for their son. He has lost his faith, wants to believe but can't get over his doubts. Just as he is about to drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve, he is awakened by the Polar Express. The Conductor invites him onto a train which takes him on a journey to the north pole to meet Santa and rekindle his faith. During the story, the boy encounters various children on the train, as well as the Conductor, a Hobo (ghost), Engineers and later in the North Pole, the Big Man himself. Let's start with the kids and the Parable of the Sower (see Matt 13).
  1. Boy / Know-it-all / Wayside - This kid is so proud of his intellect focused on showing others how smart he is that he can't appreciate the magic of the ride or help anyone else (2NE 9:28-29). The word just bounces off this guy. The only cure for this is to LEARN to be humble - as the Conductor rightfully put onto his ticket for the journey home. 
  2. Boy / Poor & Dejected / Stony Places - This kid has had a hard life on the wrong side of the tracks. Christmas or faith just doesn't work out for him after many disappointing experiences. He has no hope due to all of the rocks in his life and the word cannot get into his heart. In fact, he will won't even sit with the other kids once on the train and enjoy the ride because he thinks his rocks make him less important.
  3. Boy - Protagonist / Lost his Faith / Thorns - The central character is doubting the reality of Santa. The Hobo taunts him saying you don't want to be duped, bamboozled, taken for a fool. This boy has let the cares of the world and how he looks to others take over. The Conductor invites him to simply BELIEVE and not let what other think bother him. He follows this counsel through the rest of his life. 
  4. Girl / Christmas Cheer / Good Ground - Isn't it interesting to note that it is the female gender that just naturally gets it? She cares about others: listens to them, helps them feel welcome, shares (hot chocolate), sings with the boy (fellowship) and help the Conductor with the train. Most of all, she can hear the bell even when its not in sight or seemingly far away. Everyone is better off due to the part she played in the story. The Conductor invites her to LEAD the way and let her light shine. 
Onto the next set of symbolic characters: Conductor, Hobo and Santa - or the Godhead.
  1. Hobo / Holy Ghost - This guy initially seems scary and identifies himself as a ghost. He plays on the boy's doubts, "seeing is believing" but ultimately helps him along the way and saves his life. (I admit its not a perfect allegory, but close enough).
  2. Conductor / Jesus Christ - He brings children to Santa's presence and acts as the Mediator. He is helped by the Ghost and teaches important lessons to the children and offers the only passageway into the kingdom.
  3. Santa / God the Father - Represents the source of all good gifts and the spirit of Christmas. Other than the gifts he brings to us (unseen), the only way we can enjoy his presence is through  the Conductor.    
Interesting that all three of these characters are played by the same actor, by design and not to be cheap or to aggrandize Tom Hanks (well, maybe just a little bit). 

Finally, the key symbol in this film is the Bell. Throughout the movie, the boy cannot hear the bell because he has no faith. Despite everything the Ghost and the Conductor did for him in getting him to the heart of the North Pole, he still had trouble believing. I think we are often the same way with all of the gifts and blessings we have in our lives and yet because of the rocks in our garden or the cares and thorns of the world, we cannot hear or feel the music of the soul. After realizing he may not be able to see Santa due to the crowds, the boy picks up the bell (his faith) and musters his desire to believe, letting go of confirmation by sight. That act of faith invites the music into his life and Santa suddenly appears visible in the reflection of the bell. By exercising our faith, we can have God's presence not only near us, but within us, which is what makes great music so wonderful.

Many of us have had a great spiritual experience where our faith was rewarded. But once again as the cares of the world set in, we forget to hold on tight to our bell and hear the music. When it is gone, we are sad and may even despair that we can't get it back. But just when all hope seems lost, the gift returns to us by God's grace or a Divine Gift. Santa returning the bell shows how mindful God is of each of us individually. 

The boy learned his lesson well and retained the music in his heart for the rest of his life, even when others lost faith (Alma 5:26).

That may be the best message of all in this story. Being able to increase our childlike faith through the years. Taking the spirit and music of Christmas beyond the season and sharing it with others.

21 comments:

  1. Wow. I'm very impressed and intrigued with the analysis, sir. Thank you for sharing.

    I'm sad to realize how often I echo the protagonist's shortcomings, for instance, appreciating the movie only for its "Hot, hot, hot, hot chocolate!" scene. I shame family and now recommit to considering the wider panorama of Polar Express messages, beyond mere warm and tasty beverages.

    I'm intrigued about the Tom Hanks trifecta. I definitely knew about the Hobo/Conductor duo and am unsure if I connected (or remembered) the Santa angle. Thanks for pointing that out.

    Now, all we have to do is apply this post to the remainder of the Broncos' fragile season and playoff dreams: Just believe.

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  2. Thank you for the kind word. And may the Universe smile down on our team and bless them that they may crush their foes to tiny bits and pieces.

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  3. Anonymous1:39 PM

    I think you forgot something important.
    Tom Hanks is also the main character, the little boy.
    First, you may notice he looks just like him but younger.
    Second, his father, you can see from far, looks like him too AND has the same voice (so the father is ALSO Tom hanks).
    Third, at the end, you hear the voice of the little boy become adult, it is, again tom hank's voice.

    And sometimes, in the movie, the conductor says somethings to the little boy about his first trip in the train that makes you also realise that he is the adult version of the little boy.

    Well, now, if you did a great analysis, why are they all the same character ??

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  4. To Anon:

    Thank you for a thoughtful comment.

    I would say that it could be symbolic of the Spirit of God manifested in each of us.

    I don't think its a great analogy, but within reason.

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  5. How about how we each go through the various stages of belief, disbelief, etc.?

    We are all at least children and adults, many become parents, and plenty help others on their journey to believe.

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  6. Anonymous11:15 AM

    The North Pole scenes are a complete allegory to the THRONE ROOM, in Heaven, when those who die are accepted.

    The elves praise and joyfully await Santa's appearance. He comes with brilliant light. Everything is oversized, majestic, un-ending. The Elves (Angels) watch over each child (heavenly portals), the Conductor (Jesus) leads the children to the North Pole (Heavenly realms), and they are encouraged to believe via the Hobo (Holy Spirit).

    The movie is a 100 percent allegory to the Trinity, God's love, faith, angels, and Heaven.

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  7. i have watched the Polar Express for 5 years now.... the first magic was my 3 year old begging to get her a ticket. 5 years later I have opened my eyes (with help) and now the world looks different. I just finished the annual watching with my family and had to search (Google) to see if I am "out there" or if this story is as what is written above. Oh my, this is very cool. Thank you for the words written as it is exactly as I see it almost for the first time. Now i must add my additional comment ... one person wrote about the hot chocolate scene. Could this be a parable to communion? The conductor offered this to the passengers, just a thought.

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  8. I have a question: why the girl is in the train if she already believes?, does she needs to learn to trust more in herself? . Thank you!

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  9. I have a question: why the girl is in the train if she already believes?, does she needs to learn to trust more in herself? . Thank you!

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  10. Earlier this month, I attended a viewing of the Polar Express at an IMAX ... ppolarexpresstrain.blogspot.com

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  11. I would like to know the symbolism behind the record player skipping every time the black girl is unsure of something?

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  12. I was 7 the first time I watched this movie, now at the age of 13 I have watched this movie many times. I would like to point out that the black girl was the only African American on the train. Is this possibly hinting that she is a young incarnate of Rosa Parks? Her ticked said "leader" adding more to the evidence. It just makes sense since Rosa Parks started the grass roots movement.

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  13. I was 7 the first time I watched this movie, now at the age of 13 I have watched this movie many times. I would like to point out that the black girl was the only African American on the train. Is this possibly hinting that she is a young incarnate of Rosa Parks? Her ticked said "leader" adding more to the evidence. It just makes sense since Rosa Parks started the grass roots movement.

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  14. The conductor is actually played by Michael Jeter. In the end, the film is dedicated to him. I love this movie and I love the points and connections you have made!!

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    1. Michael actually played the train's engineer and fire tender. Remember them replacing the light bulb and encountering the herd of caribou.

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  16. I have seen The Polar Express many time, humbly thankful top my children.. I have to give kudos
    to the person who created this column. His analogy is spot on. I also find that,Chris Van Allsburg, who originally wrote the book had incredible vision of the "bell",the true magic that needs to last all year long and not just at Christmas. it's amazing how everything,every character & every scenerio is focused on the boy losing his faith. A masterful production that I enjoy year after year

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  17. The train ride is our journey through life. The rollercoaster part symbolizes the ups and downs we experience. Sometimes we find ourselves on thin ice. We need the help of others, with Christ calling out the directions, to travel to safety. The tracks represent the iron rod, the straight and narrow way, which is the word of God!

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  18. It was interesting to note that when the children were in any real danger, the ghost showed up to rescue them!

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  19. Did you notice how time stops when the children are on the polar express and at the north pole?

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  20. I’m sure the caribou making a pathway for the train is symbolic in some way. I just can’t think of it.

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