Mrs. van Pelt speaks to Lucy in the strip from November 5, 1953.
Mr. and Mrs. van Pelt are minor unseen characters in the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. They are the parents of Lucy van Pelt, Linus van Pelt and Rerun van Pelt, and like other adults, their faces have never been seen in the strip.
History[]
In strips from the early years, they are sometimes shown with speech bubbles. In those early strips, they do things like breaking up fights between Linus and Lucy, disciplining them if they act up, and putting them to bed. Often, due to the parents not being around, Charlie Brown acts as a parental figure toward Lucy, doing things such as reading stories to her, and making her hold his hand while crossing the street. Likewise, in later strips, Lucy acts as a parental figure to her brother Rerun, by showing him the world, and giving him advice.
In a May 1972 story line, in which Lucy kicks Linus out of the house, Linus tells Charlie Brown that Mrs. van Pelt was not home to stop Lucy because she was in the hospital. Lucy is subsequently informed that their mother had given birth to a new baby brother, later named Rerun.
Rerun first rides on the back of Mrs. van Pelt's bicycle in the strip from January 21, 1974.
Like most adults, Mr. and Mrs. van Pelt are not around much, and hardly anything is known about them. However, a running gag with Mrs. van Pelt is how she always puts Rerun on the back of her bike, and rides around with him. In strips from later years, Rerun is often shown unsuccessfully pleading with her to allow him to have a dog.
Mr. and Mrs. van Pelt confronting an embarrassed Linus whose about sell his baby brother for a bicycle.
In the TV special, Is This Goodbye, Charlie Brown?, their faces are briefly visible when the car pulls out of the driveway. They also make small cameos in the animated special Snoopy!!! The Musical, as they both confront an embarrassed Linus whose about to sell his crying brother, Rerun for a bicycle during the song "I Know Now".
Lucy paints a picture of her mother
Mrs. van Pelt makes an unseen appearance in Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), With Love. During football practice, Linus tells Charlie Brown about the lunch notes his mother leaves for him in his lunchbox; after Charlie Brown reads one of them, a blushing Linus states that she can sometimes get carried away. Linus and Lucy try to come up with many things for Mother's Day; Linus tries to write a letter for his mother while Lucy firsts come up with a art project, which however doesn't go well. She later makes a homemade crown, so her mother will know what it's like to be "Queen for a Day", which is later destroyed by Peppermint Patty. Lucy finally comes with a Mother's Day card. She becomes very touched after reading Linus's letter, to which she pairs up with. When Mother's Day comes along, Linus and Lucy both give their mother gifts; Lucy's card is hanging on the kitchen fridge and Linus reads his letter thanking her for all the great things she's done for the siblings. After Linus is done reading his letter, he and Lucy both say "We really, really, really love you back! Happy Mother's Day!" and they both go to embrace their mother.
Physical appearance[]
Since they're unseen in the comic strip, their appearances remain unknown. However, in Is This Goodbye, Charlie Brown?, they're faces are shown when they pull their car out of the driveway; Mrs. van Pelt has short curly blonde hair and wears a teal-coloured top. Mr. van Pelt has black hair and wears a white shirt.
In Snoopy!!! The Musical, Their appearances are slightly different and more detailed. However, their faces are not shown. Mrs. van Pelt has light brown hair and wears a orange dress, matching orange high heels and an white bracelet. Mr. van Pelt wears a white long sleeve shirt, blue jeans and white shoes.
In Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), With Love, when Lucy paints a picture of her mother, she appears to have short black hair, a gold necklace and a light blue top, making her look almost similar to her daughter.
Trivia[]
- Mrs. van Pelt makes a striking resemblance to her daughter, Lucy van Pelt.