Fantasy In Theodor Geisel's Dr. Suess

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities” (Dr. Seuss Quotes 1). Theodor Geisel, much better known as “Dr. Suess” was a 20th century poet who made a magnanimous contribution to children’s literature. Because of his artistic abilities and “inner child” Geisel was able to teach children basic life lessons and skills through attention grabbing, spontaneous, and energetic characters in his stories. He made his readers laugh at the realities of life through fantasy. From his life story, his sources of inspiration, and a poetical analysis of his works one can

Suess” to millions of readers.

Theodor Seuss Geisel’s own story began on March 02, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts. In Geisel’s early years, he attended Dartmouth College and quickly became the editor and chief of the magazine at the college. Because of an incident that involved underage drinking, Geisel was relegated from the magazine staff but continued writing stories under the name “Seuss” (Bio.Com). After graduation, Theodor moved to England and enrolled in Oxford hoping to become a professor. While in England he met and married Helen Palmer, in 1927. During that same time he left Oxford and returned to America with his new bride. It was at this time that Geisel really dove into story writing and became known for his cartoons and illustrations in children’s literature. In 1937, his first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street was

Seuss” is an artful, descriptive story that teaches children not to be stubborn. The speaker Sam-I-am offers green eggs and ham to another unnamed character who refuses it. The main setting of the story is located in a grassy, plains area but moves from place to place throughout the story. The theme of the story is stubbornness because the unnamed character refuses to try the green eggs and ham. An example of this behavior is; “I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam- I-am” (Geisel 16). The speaker feels compelled to speak out because Sam-I-am is very persuasive to the unnamed character to try the green eggs and ham. A recurring pattern in the story is that Sam-I-am is continually asking the unnamed character where he would like to be served the green eggs and ham and the question is being answered in the same way. The story’s rhyme scheme is composed mostly of rhyming couplets and word repetition. The poet’s, Dr. Seuss, use of the English language is centered towards children’s literature. Geisel does not use a particular dialect or accent. The turning point of the story is “I do so like green eggs and ham! Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!” (Geisel 62). The unnamed character has a change of heart, realizes his stubbornness and sincerely thanks Sam-I-am. Dr. Seuss uses the image of green eggs and ham to prove his point in the story because normally eggs and ham are not green and it gives the impression that they