The Romantic Christmas

This picture is also very romantic for some people because it provides us with a fantasy. This setting takes place in the woods, away from the stresses of city life, therefore it is somewhere we wish we could go. As humans we all want peace and for some people the only peace there seems to be is when one is in nature so this setting seems so romantic to them and therefore it becomes beautiful. The stars and the beautiful lights from the tree also add to this fantasy. In our culture we are taught to see stars as magical and therefore beautiful. For example, take the simple song "twinkle twinkle little star." Most American school children learn this song and the lines "like a diamond in the sky" tell us that stars are beautiful, so we see them as beautiful. Most people will also see the lights on the Christmas tree as beautiful, especially the pink which is the color most associate with love and happiness. Of course this setting is not beautiful for some people because they do not see the woods as someplace they would want to go. I also think that some people, (especially some of the kids who are raised in the cities), wouldn't feel some of the emotions that I feel when I see this picture. I was raised in a small town in Northern Minnesota and this scene is literally in my backyard, so when I see this image I feel a sense of home and belonging (especially now that I am living in the BIG CITY). This picture actually makes me feel a little homesick because it brings up all of my emotions I feel from home.

This picture is also very romantic and beautiful to certain people (especially me), because it isn't simply just a tree but it is a beautiful Christmas tree. This tree represents or in other words signifies Christmas and the magic that is Christmas. Because we associate Christmas with this image, this image provokes the same emotions that we feel about Christmas. Now when most people think about Christmas they think about happiness, peace, and the joy of being with one's family, so when they see a beautiful picture of a Christmas tree, they see it as beautiful or "romantic" because they are reminded of this happiness. Also, people feel peace when seeing a Christmas tree because when we see it we are "transported" to a much simpler time of childhood Christmas, and we get in touch with our "inner child." People, on the other hand who don't celebrate Christmas, probably won't feel these same feelings of joy when they see a Christmas tree. They don't have that emotional pull to this picture as someone who celebrates Christmas so they probably don't consider this picture as romantic or beautiful as someone who has these feelings. This picture is also "romantic" in the fact it is unrealistic but magical which creates a fantasy for us. Why is there a tree in the middle of the dark forest decorated with shiny Christmas lights when there is no possible way that they are lit up by an electrical power? This tree is magical so it gives us that exciting feeling we feel when we are given that possibility the magic exists. This possibility of excitement and happiness makes want to be transported into this picture, therefore it makes this image romantic for us. Overall, the message that is picture argues us into believing that this image and nature is beautiful and that Christmas is a magical time of year. This image argues us into this reasoning by creating the emotions of happiness that I explained above and hinting that it was magic that gave this tree it's beauty.