Why we’re crushing hard on Lucy van Pelt from ‘Peanuts’
We absolutely cannot WAIT for Friday. Why, you ask? Because The Peanuts Movie FINALLY comes to a theatre near us. SQUEEEE! We’ll soon be reunited with all our faves, including Snoopy, Woodstock, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Franklin, Pigpen, Sally, Linus, and of course the one and only Charlie Brown.
My favorite Peanuts character is and always will be Lucy van Pelt, though. Yes, she can be harsh. Yes, she isn’t the nicest character. But Lucy is a feminist icon in her own right, refusing to be bossed around by anyone and marching to the beat of her own drum. And through her tough exterior, she proves time and time again that her vulnerability is actually the most intriguing thing about her. She manages to continue teaching all of us lessons about why, while it’s great to be independent, it’s also important to trust those around you in your times of need (and, of course, take pride in your own fabulousness).
Here’s why we’re crushing on Lucy for this week’s #WCW column!
She has infinite wisdom
If nothing else, Lucy does her research. She knows December is way too early to be eating snowflakes, stating in A Charlie Brown Christmas that she always waits until January (though we never learn why but, to be honest, I trust her). In the same special, we see that Lucy is well versed in the ins and outs of putting on a live production, as well as the names and definitions of a bunch of different types of phobias. A kid that well-read seems pretty uncommon, so you go, Lucy.
She has solid career and financial goals at, like, eight years old
When I was eight, I don’t think I even knew what a psychiatrist was let alone that it was a viable career option. But Lucy sees a cash cow in it, and charges a nickel to be on the receiving end of her advice which, granted, isn’t always the most useful. But for Charlie Brown, at least, it does make him feel better sometimes. And that’s totally worth five cents any day.
Oh, and she wants real estate for Christmas instead of clothes and toys. Girl wastes no time.
She’s not afraid to take charge
Those of us who are more apt to dream than take action could learn a thing or two from Lucy van Pelt. While many little girls dream of being a princess or queen, Lucy is all like, “Yeah, this play has a Christmas queen and FYI, it’s me.” She doesn’t sit around and expect someone else to give her the opportunity to be that queen, because Lucy waits for no one. Mad respect.
She’s actually a really good big sister
Lucy bosses Linus around a lot, which is kind of uncool. However, Linus seems to be treated like a baby by many of the other people around him, judging by the fact that he’s one of the younger kids and he’s always toting a blanket around. So when you think about it, it’s kind of good that he has an older sister who is a little harsher on him (out of love, of course). Someone needs to prepare that kid for the real world – because as much as we love Linus’ BFF Charlie Brown, we all know it’s not going to be him.
Speaking of Chuck, Lucy is a good friend to him even if he doesn’t realize it. She teaches him lessons in trust over and over again with the whole pulling-the-football-away thing. Maybe one day he’ll get it.
She has a crush on a musician, just like…well, all of us
Even though Lucy is her own woman who doesn’t need a man to save her or lead her, she’s still human. Which means she isn’t immune to crushes and, specifically, crushes on cute musicians (see also: Daria Morgendorffer).
And even though piano prodigy Schroeder doesn’t return her affection, she wouldn’t be Lucy van Pelt if she gave up on him. We’re rooting for you, Luce. And we agree: If Beethoven was THAT great, he’d totally have his picture on a bubble-gum card.
