<div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="300" src="https://subtextpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/Elf-Cover-Final-300x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2136" srcset="https://subtextpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/Elf-Cover-Final-300x300.jpg 300w, https://subtextpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/Elf-Cover-Final-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://subtextpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/Elf-Cover-Final-150x150.jpg 150w, https://subtextpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/Elf-Cover-Final-768x768.jpg 768w, https://subtextpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/Elf-Cover-Final-75x75.jpg 75w, https://subtextpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/Elf-Cover-Final.jpg 1400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure> </div> <p>Half the plot involves a man reuniting with his father—and his species—after being raised by Christmas elves. The other involves saving Christmas itself from the growing cynicism of humanity. And so like many of its genre, the film “Elf” connects Christmas spirit to the sorts of bonds that hold together families and communities, despite their inevitable tendencies towards conflict and dissolution. Indeed, there’s a sense in which Christmas elves are, in making gifts, hard at work maintaining the social fabric against the forces of individual selfishness. But in this story, the elf in question turns out to be a bumbling man-child—a holy fool of sorts—who helps re-enchant communal life by holding up its social deficits to a naive mirror. Wes &amp; Erin discuss this 2003 classic, what it means to believe in Christmas, and how this is connected to the possibility of a genuine community.</p> <p><strong>Upcoming Episodes</strong>: &#8220;Julius Caesar.&#8221;</p> <p>Pre-order Erin&#8217;s forthcoming book &#8220;Avail&#8221; here: <a href="http://subtextpodcast.com/avail">http://subtextpodcast.com/avail</a></p> <p>For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/subtext">Patreon</a> or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. </p> <p>This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit <a href="https://www.airwavemedia.com">AirwaveMedia.com</a> to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-job-brain/id507938401" title="">Good Job, Brain</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/big-picture-science/id73329638?mt=2&amp;ign-mpt=uo%3D4" title="">Big Picture Science</a>.</p> <p>Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>&nbsp;to enquire about advertising on the podcast.</p> <p>Follow:<strong> </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/enjoysubtext">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/subtextpodcast/">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://subtextpodcast.com/">Website</a></p>