Snufkin Tribute - I'm Fine by Hazel English

I've been wanting to make this for a long time, and I'm really glad I finally did! I wanted this to be simple but emotive. The song is I'm Fine by Hazel English and the footage belongs to Moomin and Gutsy Animation -- I own nothing but the editing!
Edit: changing this to Not made for kids because this song deals with more serious themes, and definitely isn't meant for children so this video isn't either. Not saying this is inappropriate to the character, but these kinds of themes in Moomins are more meant for the older audience.

[@allstarpterosaur850]

Tbh, I feel sorry for Moominvalley’s version of Snufkin. He appears to be more youthful yet insecure than the other adaptations of Snufkin.

For starters, he’s really scared of being forgotten or abandoned by Moomintroll (basically by anyone he loves). He thinks he has to stay strong all the time so Moomintroll can still admire him and not see him as a weak person that’s a waste of time. He has to hide all his insecurities and try to stay strong and help others. Evidence of his fear of being forgotten or abandoned can be found in the episode “The Spring Tune”.

Snufkin is a day late for his trip to Moominland because he’s having trouble coming up with a new tune to play on his harmonica. There’s one scene where Snufkin is dreaming. He’s heading over to Moominland and along the way, he faces two obstacles. The first one is plants entangling him and restraining him. That could symbolize his need to be free and solitary nature. Once he’s away from the plants, he then trips and drops his harmonica. When he tries to gab it, an owl swoops down and snatches up the harmonica. That could also symbolize Snufkin’s need to be free and in order to be free, he shouldn’t love Moomintroll or anyone so much (he said earlier in the episode, “You can’t ever really be free if you admire somebody too much.” To me, that’s a worrying indicator that Snufkin probably doesn’t feel loved in this adaptation). Once he gets to the bridge that leads to Moominland, he bumps into a hedgehog. He walks past the creature, but a voice suddenly says to Snufkin, “It’s no use. No one here will remember you. You’ve been gone for too long, Snufkin.” Snufkin continues forward until he calls out to Moomintroll. After calling Moomintroll’s name 3 times, Snufkin then climbs a ladder to Moomintroll’s window. He knocks on the window a couple of times. He wipes away some mist to get a better look inside.

What does he see?

Moomintroll playing with Teety-woo (the creature that Snufkin met earlier in the episode and the creature told Snufkin that Moomintroll is growing restless, longing to see Snufkin again. Snufkin tried to keep calm, but pressured by Teety-woo edging uncomfortably closer, Snufkin snapped, “I’ll go to Moominland when it suits me! Or perhaps I won’t go at all!”). Snufkin was shocked that he was forgotten and abandoned by his best friend that’s been so kind to him and liked him the most and always lets him stay in Moominland for as long as he likes, he lets go of the ladder and falls, seeing the owl and his harmonica floating around him.

Snufkin then wakes up from the nightmare, tossing and crying out for help. He wakes up hyperventilating and realizes it’s just a bad dream. That dream probably still haunts him to this day.

Snufkin also has social anxiety in “Moominvalley”. Although he does like to spend quality time with Moomintroll and a few of his other friends, Snufkin is usually most comfortable being alone, doing things he likes, such as taking long walks out in nature, fishing, and playing his harmonica. His social anxiety often causes him to leave in the middle of a moment of social interaction, and he never mentions that he’s feeling uncomfortable. Evidence of his social anxiety and how it can make him doubt that he’s a good friend can be found in the episode “Snufkin And The Park Keeper”.

Snufkin is first seen in this episode taking a long walk out in the forest by himself. He then (literally) bumps into a fence, interrupting his walk. When Snufkin reads the signs, he gets upset and sees it as a disrespectful act towards nature (I’m a huge advocate for conservation and related to Snufkin on so many levels). Snufkin decides to do something about it, but he realizes he’ll need some help.

He bumps into Little My, hungry as ever. He gives Little My some food, and also gives her a word of advice. He says, “The main thing in life is to know your own mind.” Little My responds with, “What’s been on your mind, pal?” Snufkin then says, “Oh, I had to get away for a while. I was starting to feel enclosed.”

A flashback starts to play, showing Snufkin and Moomintroll chatting at a party with lots of people. Snufkin is showing signs of anxiety. He chuckles, but when Moomintroll briefly closes his eyes while laughing, Snufkin’s eyes show nervousness and his smile turns into a frown of fear for a split second. Moomintroll opens his eyes after laughing, and Snufkin has to keep pretending that he’s enjoying the party in an attempt to avoid upsetting Moomintroll and potentially being abandoned by him (one insecurity leads to another). As we all know, Moomintroll would never do such a thing that harsh to anyone, especially Snufkin. But Snufkin is too scared to express himself. When Moomintroll goes to refill both of their drinks, Snufkin starts to look at the sheer amount of people and gets even more uncomfortable when the music gets louder. Snufkin continues his quote, saying, “It’s not that I don’t like people. I just feel caged in sometimes.”

When Moomintroll returns to where Snufkin was sitting, he notices that Snufkin isn’t there anymore. Snufkin left the party without even asking to go (I can totally relate to Snufkin, for I’m not much of a people person and often leaves situations without even saying a word) because of his social anxiety. Snufkin continues saying, “Every now and again, just for a while, I need my space.” The flashback ends and Snufkin then says he was planning to return to the party after he calmed down. Snufkin then teaches the park keeper a lesson by using Hattifatteners and starts to tear down the signs. Oh, and Snufkin becomes the temporary father of a bunch of curious Woodies (or wood children, as I like to call them).

Eventually, Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden then get blamed for Snufkin’s doings and get thrown in jail. When Snufkin is informed of this bad news, he says with a guilty tone, “And I felt like a prisoner here.” He then takes Moomintroll’s and Snorkmaiden’s place in jail, which is honestly sad to me. Moomintroll thought of a plan to shorten Snufkin’s sentence, but when Snufkin hears it, he then remembers the party and thinks that Moomintroll is honestly upset that Snufkin left the party without even telling Moomintroll. Snufkin then says sadly, “I suppose it’s all I deserve.” When I heard the utter sadness in this free-spirited boy, I shed a few tears. When I want to leave a social interaction with my friends, it’s a rather awkward moment and I fear that my friends will like me less and eventually dump me. Moomintroll tells Snufkin that he isn’t upset at all, not even in the slightest. Once Snufkin’s sentence is over, he’s free to go. But Snufkin is still scared of being abandoned and forgotten, and his social anxiety isn’t doing him any favors.

Which finally brings me to the episode “The Invisible Child”. Snufkin hardly appears in that episode, but someone who is also riddled with fear and anxiety does. Ninny. Long story short, by listening to her, caring for her, paying attention to what she has to say about her fears and showing her love, Moomintroll and his friends help Ninny become visible again. Too-Ticky then says the following to Moomintroll:

“I need you to keep listening for me, Moomintroll. There are lots of other lost souls out there that need to be heard.”

Moomintroll then starts to ponder. Winter has finally started. This is when Snufkin travels south. We see Snufkin walking south all alone. While that happens, the song “Ready Now” by Dodie starts to play. I highly recommend you listen to that song.

To me, “Ready Now” isn’t just about Ninny, but also definitely about Snufkin. He really needs to tell Moomintroll about his fear of being abandoned and also about his social anxiety. Moomintroll would do everything in his power to help Snufkin become more courageous and help Snufkin realize that he’ll never be abandoned nor forgotten. Moomintroll will always be there for Snufkin to talk to, to hug, to tell him about his fears, and more. When someone truly listens to you and feels truly sorry for you and wants to help you, it makes you feel strong, important, needed, valid, and visible.

[@hungrywarnergaming5263]

Man typed a whole essay

[@floralstorms]

@@hungrywarnergaming5263 And it’s a really good analysis so it’s appreciated

[@kokosxdm6879]

its great, thank you:3

[@Spiderweb404]

*epic bean boi.*