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Day #220: Wishing You Well in 1910!

"Little Nemo in Slumberland" dated December 26, 1909:


Transcript of Tweets by @LittleNemo1905 (JANUARY 15, 2021):


Well, we've waited quite a long time for Nemo and the Princess to be properly reunited… truthfully, I wasn't convinced that they would even remain together after last strip; it seemed too good to be true! - 1/12

But, they do, and we even see Nemo don the finest garments that Slumberland has to offer (making him into a toy soldier, almost) and sit with the Princess as New Years wishes are passed onto them! - 2/12

Continuing our conversation from yesterday, I can't shake the feeling that there is something very "grown up" about this… it reminds me of a receiving line at a Wedding; just these two "friends" receiving what are essentially gifts. - 3/12

The pair are greeted by the embodiments of the gifts they bring. The fool brings fun, the warrior woman brings health, Peace (with her palm leaf) and Beauty offer their namesakes, and the final embodiment, a woman opulently adorned, brings wealth. - 4/12

The Princess tells Nemo that she receives these gifts every New Year and that they always come true. I think that there is certainly a reading about class here in this strip… - 5/12

The Princess seems to get everything that these embodiments bring, but they don't turn and offer their wishes to the world the way that Nemo does… in fact, the Princess tells Nemo how to share *his* wish, so she could ask the others to do the same… - 6/12

The fact that these wishes made in Slumberland might come true for the world (the Princess does suggest it would test Nemo's sincerity, right?) would be life-changing for many people. - 7/12

The only one seemingly concerned with sharing these good wishes is Nemo; he desires to not only share his wish of happiness with the Princess, but also with the rest of the world. - 8/12

Whether this is prescience on his part, knowing that a sincere wish made in Slumberland will come true, or whether it is a coincidence matters (in my opinion) less than the act. - 9/12

Either way, as 1910 rises above the Earth, Nemo shares his desire for happiness to the whole world. A beautiful notion with which to begin the New Year. - 10/12

I've often been critical of these holiday strips, but I actually enjoyed this one. I'm interested to hear what others thought, as well. - 11/12

This is my reading of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" #220. What's yours? - 12/12

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