WhilePeanutsis one of the most relatable comic strips of all-time, some of its best strips are that much better when seen through the eyes of an adult.Charles Shulz’s iconic stripdelights readers of all ages with its whimsical and philosophical observations, even years after it officially ended.
And thoughPeanutsisintended for readers of every stripe, some strips resonate better with adult audiences. Sure, everyone loves gags aboutCharlie Brown failing to kick the footballor Lucy’s surprisingly biting psychological evaluations. But those strips don’t hit as hard as the ones that touch on the creeping depression that can come into life as one gets older, or the pressures society places on people to be successful. Whileeveryone can enjoyPeanuts, adult readers are more likely to really get something out of the following 10 strips, which touch on some sadly relatable themes.
10When You Grow Up
A Simple, But Relatable Desire
It’s not uncommon to think about what the future is going to be like, no matter what age one is. Here,Peanuts’Charlie Brown and Linus van Pelt are discussing what things are going to be like when they get older, causing Charlie Brown to ask his friend what he wants to be when he grows up, causing Linus to sharply retort “Outrageously happy.”. It’s a humorous strip, but the older one gets, looking back on the hopes and dreams one had for the future can be a haunting thing, wondering if something as simple as happiness has been acquired.
9The Burden of Potential
Expectations Cause Intense Anxiety
One of the worst feelings put on people by society is living up to one’s ‘potential’. In this strip,Charlie Brown and Linus are once again reflecting on their lives, with Linus talking about how everyone is mad at himfor not making the honor roll, from the school to his family. It’s clear that the boy is struggling with the expectations put on him and that’s something that really stabs at the heart. None of us want to feel like we’re letting people down when great things are expected, but sometimes pressure only hinders more than it helps.
8"Maybe I Can Change"
When The Negative Voice Fights Back
Few people in comic strips beat themselves up as much as Charlie Brown. The poor kid can’t even give himself a bit of rest at night, when he briefly considers making some positive changes to his life, only for the negative voice in his head to put him down about even trying. It’s incredibly easy to get stuck in certain ways and even easier to let that negativity in the back of one’s mind prevent one from making even small changes.Anyone even remotely self-critical can certainly vibe with Charlie Brown in this downbeatPeanutsstrip.
7Where is Everybody?
Missing Family is a Special Hurt
Snoopy might be one of the most happy-go-lucky characters in the series, but even he has his moments of solemnness. Here, he watches his little bird friend Woodstock looking for family, andwhile Snoopy feels for his pal, the canine starts to wonder about his family and where they all ended up. As people get older, it’s easy to lose contact with people, even those that share blood. While there’s nothing wrong with found family, of course, those who have lost or never knew blood relations certainly feel a certain sting when wondering where they came from.
6Depressed Stance
Walking Depression is No Joke
Charlie Brown doesn’t hide his feelings from the world. In fact, he makes it well-known in this strip, where he discusses his ‘depressed stance’ and how the only way he can get joy out of being depressed is to verify he’s got the ‘right’ posture for it.Charlie Brown excels at sardonic humor when it comes to his dour outlook on the world, but for those who have struggled with depression, it’s honestly relatable. Sometimes, when negative feelings are weighing one down, the appeal of just adapting to them is easier than attempting to fight them.
5"My Anxieties Have Anxieties"
When Worrying Becomes Too Much
Again, Charlie Brown doesn’t hide his feelings in Peanuts and wears them on his sleeves. In this strip, Linus picks up on his friend’s attitude and comments on it, allowingCharlie Brown to discuss how he worries about school and that he even worries about how much he worries. It’s a decently comedic observation, but it’s also incredibly on point for those with generalized anxiety disorder. When one starts to obsess with things, it’s easy to spiral, especially as one ages and the fears and anxieties begin to grow so much they feel downright paralyzing.
4"I’ve Done This Before"
PeanutsAddresses Cries for Help
Charlie Brown’s not the only one who struggles with bad feelings in Peanuts. This strip has Snoopy talking about things with his brother Olaf, who has recently won an ‘ugly dog’ contest and, unable to cope, opts to hurt himselfby taking the leap off of Snoopy’s dog house, only to say it’s fine because Olaf has done this before. While Peanuts plays it up in a comedic way, self-harm is serious and while kids might read this and see a funny gag, it’s something that’s painfully real for those who can relate to self-harm.
3It Always Rains on the Unloved
Charlie Brown Makes a Solemn Point
Literally, when it rains, it pours for Charlie Brown. This strip doesn’t have much to say. Instead, it justhas Charlie Brown sitting in the rain that grows progressively worse the longer he tries to wait it out, only for him to cry in frustration how it always rains on the unloved. Unfortunately, the older one gets, the more one can relate to that kind of mentality. When one’s already in a bad state of affairs, it can seem like the whole world is conspiring in a very personal way.
2"Where Have I Gone Wrong?"
Reflecting on Life Can Cause One to Spiral
It’s quite human to look back on one’s life and ponder the big questions, particularly about the choices one has made. Even though Charlie Brown is only a kid, even he’s thinking about his regrets in this strip, noting his negative voice is already hitting him with snark over all his bad decisions. At a certain age, it becomes really easy to fall into this mentality, thinking back on every wrong choice or misguided step. While it doesn’t serve anyone to contemplate regrets,Peanutsabsolutely nails humanity’s tendency to hyper-focus on the past.
1Peaks and Valleys
Worrying That The Best Days Have Come and Gone
Sadly, no one ever knows what the best time of their life is.Peanutscaptures that haunting realization in this strip where Lucy and Charlie Brown discuss life’s peaks and valleys. For once, it’s Lucy looking at things more cynically, noting that one day has to be better than them all, but what happens if it’s passed and one doesn’t even know? Younger readers have their whole lives ahead of them and chances are their best days are ahead. But for adults, it’s chilling to think at the prospect that their best day is a thing of the past.
Peanuts
Created by Charles M. Schulz, Peanuts is a multimedia franchise that began as a comic strip in the 1950s and eventually expanded to include films and a television series. Peanuts follows the daily adventures of the Peanuts gang, with Charlie Brown and his dog Snoopy at the center of them. Aside from the film released in 2015, the franchise also has several Holiday specials that air regularly on U.S. Television during their appropriate seasons.
