Summary Why Did They Throw Flour In Meet Me In St. Louis?

In the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis”, the children weren’t throwing flour out of malice. They were engaging in a traditional Halloween custom. It was common for kids to “go guising” on Halloween, a practice that involved dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door for treats. The flour wasn’t meant to be a form of revenge, but rather a playful prank that added to the fun of the holiday.

The tradition of “going guising” had been around for centuries in many cultures. In the early 20th century, when “Meet Me in St. Louis” is set, it was a beloved part of Halloween celebrations. Children would often dress up in homemade costumes and carry sacks of flour, which they would use to playfully toss at each other or at unsuspecting neighbors. The flour was a symbol of fun and mischief, not a sign of hostility or aggression.

The act of throwing flour was seen as a lighthearted way to celebrate the spirit of Halloween. It was a way for children to release their energy and have a good time, while also adding a touch of chaos and excitement to the occasion. The flour was a harmless and temporary prank, and the children who participated in this tradition often looked back on it with fondness as adults. The flour throwing scene in “Meet Me in St. Louis” captured this spirit of fun and tradition, reminding us that Halloween can be a time for harmless mischief and playful pranks, as well as for trick-or-treating and costumes.