Anyway, one of the defining features of Dr. Seuss's books was that many of them had little hidden or not-so-hidden messages behind those simple rhymes and seemingly abstract plots, witness The Lorax (Environmental Sustainability), The Sneetches (Racial prejudice is abhorrent and arbitrary), and of course, the famous Green Eggs and Ham, which advocates open-mindedness.
However, with hefty themes often comes a bit of a trade-off; the literal interpretation of the book often is reduced to mere silliness, which is not only okay, but a highly valued aspect of children's literature. Sometimes, though, the silliness factor floats off way out there, and we get books that can be just the tiniest bit questionable in the literal sense.
Here, in no particular order, are eight examples, some Dr. Seuss and some not, of children's media that seems like fun and games, except for that one brief moment when you realize what's happening. (Note: This is not a criticism. I really loved most of this stuff as a kid and still love quite a bit of it. Any harsh words are for humor purposes only.)
8. The Cat in the Hat
A simple yet elegant story of a boy and a girl having fun with a rambunctious gato con un sombrero. Or, alternately, a story of two children home alone that see their home invaded by either a large, talking carnivorous feline or some sort of creep dressed in a cat suit (Not quite sure which is more disturbing), who proceeds to antagonize their beloved pet fish, make an absolute mess in their house, release Thing 1 and Thing 2, whom I don't even want to try to analyze, and escape without any legal consequences. God, it's like that story where the babysitter gets scary phone calls from inside the house.
7. Santa Claus
Speaking of home invasions, why do Americans feel the need to spend their holidays picturing a fat man coming through their chimney, after hours of watching the children to make sure they're asleep, no less, and leaving both gifts and food items for the little ones? Next thing you know, Rudolph, who was probably unethically genetically modified into bioluminescence, is going to be pulling along a sketchy white van without license plates.
6. Hop on Pop
Kudos for expressing the viewpoint that it is an unwise choice to jump up and down on your father, but other than that, this just doesn't strike me as valuable medical advice. Other scenes depict characters playing ball on top of a 50-foot wall and catapulting each other completely out of town.
5. Where the Wild Things Are
Yes, children! Don't take punishment sitting down! Run away, away into the woods, where all of these creepy monster things lurk! Dance with them like they're not going to eat you! And when you come back it will be like you never left, except no one will be mad at you anymore.
4. The Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly
Not really a problem or anything, I just don't think the food chain works quite that way...
3. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Drugs are bad, kids. I think that's all that needs to be said here.
2. Disney Princesses
I like to believe these young women ended up in genuinely happy relationships.
But,
Cinderella- courtship centers around footwear
Beauty and the Beast- textbook Stockholm Syndrome
Snow White- more breaking and entering, living with seven dwarves
1. Green Eggs and Ham
I hereby swear to always take food from strangers, no matter how suspiciously much they harass me until I do. Even if it clearly does not look properly cooked and said stranger's name is Sam-I-Amonella.
Yes, there is a stock photo up there and a Canada Day hat. You people know my budget.
CORY
No comments:
Post a Comment