The saddest Peanuts strip?

And why it's so heartbreaking

In 1972, a series of Peanuts strips showed an unusually heartbreaking moment from one of the characters, Peppermint Patty. Even for a comic that was often sad, this one was... different.

I call it the saddest strip, but it was part of bigger arc. Anyway, the one that hits the most is this one, after the normally self-assured character of Peppermint Patty decided to confront the girl Charlie Brown likes, and is telling Linus about it.

Here it is:

(If the image doesn’t appear, here’s a link)

Peppermint Patty’s tomboy character is known for her unshakable confidence, so to see her in this moment of insecurity is rare and stops us in our tracks. She was filled with anger on her way to find the girl Charlie Brown liked, but something switched and all that rage turned to sadness. It’s a very human moment.

There is more to the story arc, and you can read the rest of it in a series of panels here.

Also, if that one wasn’t sad enough for you, here’s a bonus one. Don’t hate me.

Poem of the week

The Secret

by John Clare (1793 - 1864)

I loved thee, though I told thee not,
Right earlily and long,
Thou wert my joy in every spot,
My theme in every song.

And when I saw a stranger face
Where beauty held the claim,
I gave it like a secret grace
The being of thy name.

And all the charms of face or voice
Which I in others see
Are but the recollected choice
Of what I felt for thee.