Discussion of Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night traditions, children's obsession with candy, and wearing uncomfortable costumes. Reminiscing about childhood Halloween experiences and exploring expressions with 'up'.
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Quick takeaways
Halloween is a festival associated with horror imagery, costumes, and trick-or-treating, rooted in ancient Celtic beliefs.
Guy Fawkes Night commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot and the historic conflict between Catholics and Protestants in England.
Deep dives
Halloween Celebration
Halloween is a traditional festival celebrated in many countries, with a focus on children going trick-or-treating. It is associated with horror imagery, costumes, and symbols like pumpkins, skeletons, and ghosts. Children dress up in costumes, go door-to-door asking for candy, and play mild tricks on those who don't give treats. Halloween has roots in ancient Celtic beliefs and is thought to be a time when the boundary between the spirit world and our world is thinnest. Bonfires and rituals were performed to ward off harmful spirits. Over time, Halloween has become commercialized, especially in America, with stores filled with costumes and decorations.
Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night, celebrated on November 5th in the UK, commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot in 1605. Guy Fawkes, a Catholic, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament to kill the Protestant royal family. The plot was discovered, and Fawkes was caught and executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering. On this night, people light bonfires and set off fireworks to celebrate the capture of Fawkes. Effigies of Fawkes, made with old clothes and newspapers, are burned in the bonfires. Guy Fawkes Night is a reminder of the historic conflict between Catholics and Protestants in England.
Jerry Seinfeld's Halloween Experience
Jerry Seinfeld shares his humorous childhood experiences with Halloween. He talks about his obsession with candy as a child and how Halloween was the perfect opportunity to get lots of it. He discusses the excitement of wearing costumes, often homemade, and going door-to-door trick-or-treating. Seinfeld humorously reflects on the frustrations of costumes breaking, masks causing discomfort, and encountering less-desirable candy. He also jokes about the typical questions people ask about costumes and the desire to pick up the pace to maximize candy collection. His story highlights the simple joy and innocence of Halloween for children.
Childhood vs. Adulthood Eating Habits
Seinfeld discusses how children can consume large amounts of candy without feeling sick, whereas adults can't tolerate the same level of consumption. He humorously contrasts the obsession with candy during childhood, where obtaining candy is the ultimate objective, with the more cynical attitudes of adults who are tired of trick-or-treating. Seinfeld reminisces about his own excessive candy consumption during Halloween and how it made him feel fantastic at the time. This anecdote underlines the difference in eating habits and enjoyment of candy between childhood and adulthood.
English cultural information and expressions about Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night (Nov 5th), some entertaining stand up comedy about halloween and all the usual useful bits of language and vocabulary. CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPTS, LINKS AND OTHER INFORMATION http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/halloween-guy-fawkes-night/