Dr Seuss Impact On Society

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” (Dr Seuss). Dr Seuss is still to this day known as one of the most influential children’s authors of all time. Publishing over sixty books throughout his lifetime, Dr Seuss’s novels are sure to leave an impact, receiving many awards such as: The Caldecott Medal, Regina Medal, Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, Pulitzer Prize Award, and two Emmys. Dr Seuss or Theodor Geisel will always be known for his most popular works Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, and many more. Many Dr Seuss books contain deeper meanings that somebody would not initially catch on to. Probably the most major instance of Dr Seuss making an impact is when he would draw his anti-Japanese cartoons. Dr Seuss also is known for promoting the importance of reading, creativity, and education. Dr Seuss often will speak about how essential reading is and how it will get you further in life. Dr. Seuss says, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn,

the more places you'll go.” this shows how even within his books, Dr Seuss would try his best to inspire children and adults to read more often. To this day Dr Seuss is seen as one of the most successful fictional authors as well as a best selling children’s author. Dr Seuss was an incredibly influential author whose influence was not only on children, but adults too.
Dr Seuss accomplished so much throughout his life, publishing over sixty books! A Galegroup article says, Theodor Geisel, or Dr Seuss was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield Massachusetts. The article also states that he would practice sketching at his local zoo, where his father was superintendent (Dr. Seuss 2011). The Galegroup article also states that Geisel graduated from Dartmouth college in 1925, he then went to study at the Lincoln college of Oxford University. Theodor Geisel dropped out of Oxford and spent some time traveling throughout Europe (Dr Seuss 2011). The Galegroup article continues, stating that Geisel eventually returns to New York and spends 15 years in advertising before joining the army and making two Oscar winning documentaries, Hitler Lives and Design for Death. Geisel began writing his first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, in 1936 during a rough sea passage (Dr Seuss 2011). The Galegroup article says that once published, Geisels book won much acclaim, and people loved his unique and bizarre sketches and animals. According to the article, Dr Seuss’s Progressive Politics Geisel took a break from writing his children’s books to become an editorial cartoonist for the left-wing New York City daily newspaper PM, he later became a war-time writer and illustrator for the U.S. government and military, where he would help in making propaganda and films to help with the war effort. Geisel’s last two books spent several months on the best-seller lists, this was due to using themes that would appeal to not only children but adults too. Geisel commented in the Los Angeles Times, “Finally I can say that I write not for kids, but for people” (Dr Seuss 2011). The Galegroup article further explains that Geisel had no children of his own, but did have stepchildren from his second marriage, Geisel said, “I don’t think spending your days surrounded by kids is necessary to write the kind of books I write” (Dr Seuss 2011).
Dr. Seuss, or Theodor Geisel, published his first children’s book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, in 1937. According to the article, Dr Seuss’s Progressive Politics Dr Seuss wrote and illustrated forty four children’s books, and his books, including his two most popular (The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham), have been translated into more than fifteen languages and sold over 200 million copies. Dr Seuss’s work was praised for his imaginative drawings and rhymes. The article Dr Seuss’s Progressive Politics states that, when Geisel finished And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, he could not get anyone to publish it despite his excellent reputation as an advertising illustrator. Finally, in 1937, Geisel found a publisher for the book which earned good reviews for his illustrations, but it sold poorly and so did his next few children’s books (Tikkun, 2011).
Some people believe that books written by Dr. Seuss such as Green Eggs and Ham have a deeper meaning. It is believed by some that Dr Seuss was attempting to promote trying new things, giving everything a chance, and being more open minded. The story begins with two characters, Sam-I-am offering green eggs and ham, and the other character who will not try green eggs and ham is never named. Every time Sam-I-am offers green eggs and ham to the other character he quickly says “I do not like them, Sam-I-am./I do not like green eggs and ham.” this shows how close minded this character is because he has never tried green eggs and ham but he says he does not like them and will not try them. The story continues with Sam-I-am still offering green eggs and ham and the other character saying he will not try them and he lists all of the places he will not try them. Eventually in the end the character tries green eggs and ham, and he ends up loving them and he thanks Sam-I-am for getting him to try them. The moral of this story is to try new things and be more open minded. Another one of Dr Seuss’ most popular works is Oh, the Places You’ll Go.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go was Dr Seuss’ last book published in his lifetime and arguably the most influential. Oh, the Places You’ll Go is a story about the journey of life and the challenges faced. “You have brains in your head./You have feet in your shoes./You can steer yourself/ any direction you chose.” This quote from Oh, the places You’ll Go serves as motivation to get up and do whatever you want. Dr Seuss says, “I'm sorry to say so/but, sadly, it's true/that Bang-ups/and Hang-ups/can happen to you.” This quote explains that throughout life you’ll run into problems and that is inevitable. Dr Seuss continues the story by giving examples of how things can go wrong. He then talks about how much time is spent waiting for things to happen and how that is not for you and that you will find something to do. The story ends with Dr Seuss saying, “And will you succeed?/Yes! You will, indeed!/(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.).” This quote shows that even though everybody will experience problems and obstacles in their life, but if they put forth enough effort they will be successful. Dr Seuss had a bigger impact on American culture than most people think.
Dr. Seuss made his biggest influence while writing and drawing about the Japanese. According to the article, Dr Seuss’s Progressive Politics, during WWII American newspapers were filled with editorials and cartoons using caricature, mockery, and sarcasm to depict Japanese and German leaders and people (Tikkun, 2011). The article continues to say Geisels cartoons reveal how swept up by anti-Japanese hysteria he really was, his cartoons showed blatant racism with stereotypes of Japanese citizens as well as Japanese Americans. One of the worst cartoons is one with a long line of Japanese Americans smiling, waiting to pick up a package of TNT, the caption explains that they are “waiting for the signal from home.” The Japanese were depicted with thick glasses, pig snouts, buck teeth, and squinted eyes, clearly Geisel had become swept up by the anti-Japanese hysteria. According to Tikkun, progressive themes later began to show up in many of Geisel’s books for young readers, Geisel’s books often reveal his sympathy for the weak and powerless and his anger towards bullies and despots. That same theme is seen in Horton Hears a Who, a story of an elephant who finds a whole other world on a little flower, he agrees to protect them, people often refer to the popular quote from this book, “even though you can’t see or hear them at all, a person’s a person, no matter how small.” Dr. Seuss’ influence is still felt today while children and adults read his works.
“Today you are you!

That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” Dr Seuss left an immeasurable impact on American culture and the lives of many Americans, especially the kids who would read his books. Dr Seuss created so many books that have become incredibly successful. Dr Seuss to this day is known for being one of the best and most successful chlidren’s authors. Geisel changed the outlook on youth reading from a boring chore to something exciting and fun. Geisels books continue to be read and sold after so much time. Many Dr Seuss books have been translated into movies which are still watched and produced to this day, continuing his legacy. Dr Seuss accomplished so much throughout his life and even though he is gone his legacy as one of the best children’s authors of all time will live on. “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it

happened.”