Having done much research (i.e. reading to my daughter) on the works of Dr. Seuss, I believe I have discovered the single, overarching plot which dominates his oeuvre. Once you get past the neologistic anapestic tetrameter, many of his plotted works can be boiled down to the following:
One character annoys another character.
I believe that the works which encompass this single theme are meant as assorted and diverse commentaries on Sartre’s quote “L’enfer, c’est les autres.” My wife, Mrs. The Editor, believes that this theme is so prevalent because kids think that it’s funny.
Below is a collection of Dr. Seuss works which appear to fit into the same plot pattern, without excessive plot reductionism. If any readers discover more, please make note in the comment section.
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The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (Bartholomew annoys the King)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (the Whos annoy the Grinch)
- The Cat in the Hat (the Cat annoys the kids and fish)
- The Cat in the Hat Comes Back (the Cat annoys the kids and fish, again)
- The Big Brag (the rabbit and bear annoy the worm)
- Green Eggs and Ham (Sam-I-Am annoys the main character)
- Fox in Socks (the fox annoys Mr. Knox)
- The Lorax (the Lorax annoys the Once-ler)
- Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! (Marvin K. Mooney annoys the narrator)
- Great Day for Up! (the whole world annoys the narrator)
- The Butter Battle Book (the Yooks annoy the Zooks, and vice versa)
- Gerald McBoing-Boing (Gerald annoys everyone)
- Ten Apples Up on Top! (the lion, dog, and tiger annoy the bear family)
- In a People House (the bird and mouse annoy the people)
Tags: Gerald McBoing-Boing, Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax
July 19, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I’ve got another one! In “The Sneetches”, the star-bellied and the non-starbellied Sneetches annoy one another. They annoy each other so much so that they PAY SOMEONE to take their annoyance away.
I had not ever thought about this, but it’s very cool. Thanks for cracking the Dr. Seuss code for all of us!!
Michael
July 20, 2008 at 1:14 pm
But isn’t this just conflict, which is necessary for plot? And because it’s a kids book, the conflict won’t be anything more brutal than annoyance?
July 23, 2008 at 8:32 am
But there are countless examples of children’s books which don’t use annoyance as the primary conflict. The Tawny Scrawny Lion, Hippos Go Berzerk!, and Are You My Mother? off the top of my head. Dr. Seuss seemed to latch onto annoyance quite specifically.
(Also, I now wish I had titled this article “The Dr. Seuss Code.” )
(I changed it. Couldn’t resist.)