1. Bibliography
Seuss, Dr.. 1957. THE CAT IN THE HAT. United States
2. Plot Summary
Many kids find themselves with little to do on a rainy day. But for two children who receive a visit from the Cat in the Hat this doesn’t remain a problem for long. The get to see new tricks and make few new friends in this timeless story. After a little bit of destructive fun, mom arrives home and a question remains for the kids.
3. Critical Analysis
Dr. Seuss’s THE CAT IN THE HAT has been acclaimed for changing the world of easy ready books; I found the story to be lacking in climax and morals. The story is light and a bit of fun to read. It makes a wide usage of a limited vocabulary, and with spectacular drawing which use lines to show animation the book is able to capture the attention of most audiences. The story is full of small simple climax moments that are quickly fixed in a hurry, and these negate from what could be a build up to a major climax (the mother coming home). The fish keeps bringing the mother up in the story, but this fails to make an impression as he is pictorially represented as smaller and paler. Seuss tries to use the natural antagonism between cats and fish to further enhance the conflict between the Cat in the Hat who wishes to have fun and the fish who is responsible. However, this idea fails as the fish is simply over looked or used as props for jokes. The story is full of small simple climax moments that are quickly fixed in a hurry, and these negate from what could be a build up to a major climax (the mother coming home).
THE CAT IN THE HAT does however merit consideration for the use of color. The painterly drawings should be widely praised for the artistic ability presented throughout the book, including the creative use of the two-tone color. The limited usage of red and blue coloring before the arrival of the Cat in the Hat is quickly abandoned as he knocks on the door and returns after his departure. Color usage represents the ‘life’ the Cat in the Hat is able to bring to Sally and the narrator while they are stuck inside on a rainy day.
Dr. Suess’s tale has remained a popular story because of the characters, rhythm, and age of readers. The story is full of interesting fictional characters such as the Cat in the Hat, Thing one, Thing two, and the scornful talking fish; who the narrator use to explain what happened on that particular day. The rhythm of the lines encourages the reader to continue with the story from beginning to end without stopping, allowing for the beginning reader to feel a sense of accomplishment when it is finished. Even with the faults, I find this story entertaining and necessary for beginning readers. It does, however, make me question what message is being said with the questions the book ends with. The story can be misconstrued to be telling children that they can have strangers in the house without telling their parents and make a huge mess (all while their parents are trusting them to behave without supervision) as long as they don’t tell them and the parents don’t find out.
4. Reviews
Ellen Goodman, THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Nov. 1966; “Ten years ago, Dr. Seuss took 220 words, rhymed them, and turned out THE CAT IN THE HAT, a little volume of absurdity that worked like a karate chop on the weary little world of Dick, Jane and Spot.”
THE EXPRESS; “Dr. Seuss ignites a child's imagination with his mischevious characters and zany verses.”
5. Connections
* Have each child finish the story by answering the question presented: “What would YOU do/ If your mother asked YOU?” (Seuss, p. 61). What would be the result of that answer.
* Discuss activities to do on rainy days.
* Watch the film THE CAT IN THE HAT, and see what the similarities and differences are. Which one did you like best?
* Read other books by Dr. Seuss and see if they hold a similar interest for the reader.
* Other humorous stories:
Golden Gelman, Rita. MORE SPAGEHETTI, I SAY!. ISBN 0590457837
Seuss, Dr. HOP ON POP. ISBN 039480029X
Shaw, Nancy Ill.
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