Midwest Bloggin has a post about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, saying that that it’s a “lousy story.” I tried to post a comment in response, but Haloscan seemed to be having problems. So, here is my response:
I think you’re misreading the Rudolph story.
Why is it that Rudolph is different? He has a glowing nose. This must be a form of bioluminescence. Since bioluminescence does not occur in standard reindeer noses, it is obvious that Rudolph’s nose is the result of a mutation (possibly caused by Soviet atom-bomb testing in Siberia.)
This makes Rudolph a mutant, and — as in the X-Men comic books — he is therefore subjected to persecution by non-mutants, because they percieve that the new race of mutants is a threat. The X-Deer (or, in scientific terms, rangifer tarandus superior) is a step forward in evolution, showing powers beyond those of ordinary reindeer.
But, as Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben observed, “With great power comes great responsibility.” And the story of Rudolph teaches that mutants must use their powers not to dominate or supplant non-mutants, but rather to lead them forward. Only then will non-mutants lose their fear of mutants.