Charles Schulz's iconic "Peanuts" comic strip, which concluded its 50-year run in 2000, was known for its blend of humor and poignant observations on life. While many strips offered lighthearted gags, some delved into deeper themes, with one particular quote from a 1966 storyline standing out as perhaps Schulz's most profound. The quote, "What's the good of living if you don’t try a few things?", emerged from a narrative arc where Charlie Brown participated in a school spelling bee.
The Spelling Bee Arc
The storyline began on February 2, 1966, and spanned 16 strips, excluding Sundays, which were structured to be more self-contained due to their extended lead times. In the comic, Charlie Brown volunteers for the spelling bee, a decision met with skepticism from Lucy. His characteristic earnestness falters when he misspells "maze" as "m-a-y-s," leading to a frustrated outburst at his teacher and a trip to the principal's office. Despite the setback, he eventually apologizes and returns to class.
It is in the second strip of this arc that Charlie Brown, responding to Lucy's disbelief at his participation, exclaims his now-celebrated line: "Well, what’s wrong? What’s wrong with trying?! I can try, can’t I?" He follows this with the insightful question, "What’s the good of living if you don’t try a few things?"
This simple yet powerful statement encapsulates a fundamental aspect of the human experience: the importance of attempting new things, regardless of the outcome. Though the immediate context is Charlie Brown's spelling bee mishap, the quote transcends the specific event to offer a universal message about personal growth and engagement with life.
From Comic Strip to Screen
The narrative of Charlie Brown's spelling bee adventure was later adapted into the first "Peanuts" feature film, "A Boy Named Charlie Brown," released on December 4, 1969. Written by Schulz himself, the movie expanded on the comic strip's plot, adding new elements to fill its 85-minute runtime. Interestingly, the memorable line about the value of trying was omitted from the film, leaving audiences to wonder if Schulz himself recognized the depth of his own words or if its inclusion was deemed unnecessary for the cinematic adaptation.
Regardless of its reception at the time, the quote remains a testament to Schulz's ability to weave profound truths into the everyday lives of his characters. His own prolific career, spanning nearly 18,000 comics over five decades, serves as a powerful example of the very principle he articulated. Charles Schulz's enduring legacy, marked by the final "Peanuts" strip running on February 13, 2000, the day after his death at age 77—a poignant coincidence given he had retired due to illness—is a testament to a life lived by trying.