The Observer's Blog

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is a tool. His only purpose is to be used by others to crack open shells they aren't able to crack otherwise. Why are we so interested in cracking the nut? Because inside of its hard, flavorless exterior there is soft, delicious meat for us to eat. The Nutcracker provides the means for us to enjoy this tasty treat, which he can never enjoy even though it is the fruit of his labor. His only vocation is to patiently wait until someone feels like eating a nut, and he cracks its shell for them. Hence, the tragedy of The Nutcracker ballet is in the irony that the Nutcracker/Prince, for all his heroism and virtue, is in the end returned to his inanimate state (for an alternate ending, see "Take On Me" video by A-Ha). Only in the hopeful, innocent mind of the young girl is the Nutcracker ever anything more than merely a tool.