"The Lorax"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how "The Lorax" is one of Dr. Seuss' explicitly rhetorical books, a classic cautionary fable structured around a flashback narrated by the villain, the evil venture capitalist Once-ler. The paper looks at how, as one of his most controversial tales, Dr. Seuss presents a significant lesson on the importance of being environmentally-friendly and how, written in 1971, "The Lorax" explores the issue of protecting the environment years before it became a popular and much-discussed topic.

From the Paper:

"When Theodore Geisel first became an author of young children's literature, the growing illiteracy in the Baby Boomer generation was a major public concern. This was the main reason that Geisel's writing director challenged him to create a book that was written from a list of 225 words that could only be classified as simple and rudimentary. As Dr. Seuss sat down with the list, he grew more and more frustrated by his inability to make any headway. Becoming desperate, he decided that the first two words which rhymed would constitute the basis for the book's title, and he'd go from there. '"I found 'cat' and then I found 'hat'," he recounted. Once again laughing at himself as much as at others, he added, "That's genius, you see!"' (Dr. Seuss and Mr. Geisel). After accomplishing this amazing feat, his publisher, Bennet Cerf, bet Geisel $50 that he would not be able to write a "beginner book" using only 50 words. We now know that piece of literature 'Green Egg and Ham'. ."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cohen, Charles. The Seuss, The Whole Seuss and Nothing but the Seuss. NY: Random House, 2004. This book highlights some of Dr. Seuss's lesser known works, and offers valuable insights into the imaginative processes of a very private man and one of the twentieth century's most original artists. Through this source I am gathering information about Theodore Geisel's writing style and his techniques for creating his infamous line of childrens' books.
• Heinz Insu Fenkl. "The Secret Alchemy of Dr. Seuss." 2001. The Endicott Studio. 29 Nov. 2008 <http://http://www.endicott-studio.com/index.html>.
• Kallick, Bena, and Arthur L. Costa. "Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision." Habits of Mind. 08 Aug. 2008. 23 Nov. 2008 <http://http://www.habits-of-mind.net/precision.htm>.
• Kennedy, Ted. Speech. Dr. Seuss National Memorial Dedication. Massachusetts, Springfield. 05 Jan. 2004.
• Moore, L. "Unraveling the Secrets of Dr. Seuss." Sunday Mail 04 June 1995: 104.

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