Ref - I don't believe people are romancticising Guy Fawkes when they make and display the effigies. The whole point of the celebration is to toss him onto a fire and celebrate the fact that he did NOT succeed.

In the Eastern part of the US, Guy Fawkes day complete with effigy roasting is still celebrated in some towns. My family is from NYC but my due to my Dad's posting ( he was a cop), I spent part of my childhood about 80 miles North of the City in predominently Protestant town which had an annual Fox Hunt, Guy Fawks day and a few other unusual observances. The Guys there weren;t merely burned, before tossing them on the fire, they were often stabbed, kicked, beaten and otherwise abused.

I wonder if there is any connection to Guy Fawkes Day and the American tradtions of Homecoming bonfires at High Schools and colleges. Homecoming celebrations can be held anywhere from early october to mid-november depending upon what part of the US you are in. Usually, an effigy is made of a member of the opposing football team to be played the next day and it is similarly tortured before being tossed on the bonfire.

Any thoughts?