Surrealism and Dr. Seuss

Paper Summary:

This paper puts forward the proposition that the art of Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, is far richer than appears at first sight, and compares favorably with the greatest works in the literature of the absurd. Such a literature had been exclusively for adults before Geisel transformed it into a medium for the entertainment and edification of children. The paper then goes on to explore some connotations that Geisel's art bears to the profound twentieth century movement known as surrealism. It is also a perfect marriage between illustration and poetry, and has set the benchmark for outlandishness and creativity.

Outline:
Biography
Abstract
Essay

From the Paper:

"Geisel was a multifaceted genius. Very few combine the talent of poetry and illustration, William Blake being the only other name that appears to mind. Lear also provided illustrations to his rhymes, but only the verse has stood the test of time. Geisel's poetry was so simple and free flowing that most critics missed its presence altogether, and are content to judge him on the merit of the illustrations and storyline alone. There is no doubt that the illustrations stand out most as the stamp of "Dr. Seuss". But whatever can be said about the illustrations can also be said about the poetry - both are described as quirky, inventive and surreal."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Carpenter, Humphrey and Mari Prichard. The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984.
• Dr. Seuss. The Cat in the Hat. New York: Random House Children's Books, 1997.
• Dr. Seuss. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. New York: Random House, 1938.
• Morris, Pam. Realism. New York: Routledge, 2003.
• Nel, Philip. Dr. Seuss: American Icon. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005.

More papers on Surrealism and Dr. Seuss:

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• Analytical Essay # 67106 : " Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geissel) "
• Research Paper # 55142 : "Dr. Seuss and WWII"

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