Lessons from animals, real and imaginary, in the work of Theodor Geisel

Arlene L. Barry

pp. 117-131

in: Suzanne RICE, A. G. Rud (eds), The educational significance of human and non-human animal interactions, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016

Abstract

My purpose here is to explore the role of real and imaginary animals in the work of Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Animals, through Geisel's pen, have helped children learn to read and to contemplate many of life's difficult problems while doing so. The animals were able to connect with their readers because of their anthropomorphic qualities. Anthropomorphism, or the assignment of human traits to a non-human animal, is a practice that is "ancient" and "universal," according to Brown (2011). It has been displayed by Neolithic people in their cave paintings, by Native Americans in their totem poles, through cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, and in the mascots of sports teams. Today, questions abound as to which traits belong to animals and which belong to humans. But the practice called anthropomorphism is still pervasive.