This guest book review is by my
Granddaughter, Alathea. We read this book together some months ago, but I’ve
misplaced the picture of us reading together, so you’ll just have to be contented
with a picture of Alathea.
Alathea says The Lorax is a
post-apocalyptic, dystopian, first-person narrative. She feels it is
illustrative of an underappreciated tenet of the Dr. Seuss’ canon, specifically
that his tales, ostensibly childish whimsy, often portend social commentary of
global significance. She cites The Great Butter Battle, Sneetches, Green Eggs
and Ham, and of course, How the Grinch Stole Christmas as other examples.
As for The Lorax, Alathea
acknowledges a plurality of possible meanings, but most come down to one of two
major themes: an environmental warning
or an indictment of conspicuous consumption.
Alathea feels the debate over
which, is rather superfluous as the two are by no means mutually exclusive.
Alathea feels the preponderance of evidence suggests an environmental message –
the Lorax after all – speaks for the trees, truffula trees to be precise, but
the tale also addresses the egregious mismanagement of natural resources all in
the greed induced making of thneeds, indistinct articles of dubious utility.
Alathea opines that THNEED is a
euphemism for items we THink we NEED, and likens them to the current fidget
spinner craze.
Besides the moral admonishment,
Alathea feels the Lorax represents something of a personal passion for Dr.
Seuss. She refers to a legal battle the good doctor fought, and thankfully won,
to save beloved eucalyptus trees in view of his office, that were threatened by
real estate developers in San Diego county. Alathea feels Dr. Seuss is The
Lorax and vice versa, and points out that Seuss is actually an anagram of
Lorax. (Obviously, Alathea is mistaken on this point – she cannot spell yet,
and I did not have the heart to correct her.)
Alathea points out the story ends
with a strong magical realism element, as the Lorax utters the admonishment
“Unless” and then lifts himself, hence the aptronym: The Lifted Lorax, and floats
away into oblivion. Alathea is relieved that the tale ends with a hopeful
message when erstwhile villain, the Onceler, produces a single remaining
truffula seed.
Alathea gives The Lorax 5 Stars
I think Alathea is spot on, despite not being able to spell yet! She does have a keen insight when it comes to Dr. Suess. Lovely picture of your lovely granddaughter. Reading to my kids was one of the many joys of parenthood, and I cannot wait to have grandkids to read to as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane. Yep passing on the love of reading to the kids and grandkids is a joy.
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