Examples Of Marxism In Yertle The Turtle

Dr. Seuss’s controversial book Yertle the turtle, provides an accurate example of Marxism. The book involves a struggle for power, where Yertle the turtle has a desire for domination, which involves the unwilling sacrifice of others. In the first few lines, we are transported to the far-away Island of Sala-ma-Sond, where Seuss paints a tranquil society of turtles. The turtles that live there are happy with their life, as long as they have warm water and enough food. “The water was warm. There was plenty to eat. The turtles had everything turtles might need. And they were all happy. Quite happy indeed”. However, Yertle the turtle, “king of the pond”, wanted more.

Yertle is a brutally ambitious turtle who desires to rule much more than the

However, over time his place on the bottom of the pile becomes so uncomfortable that he feels the need to speak up. He says to the Yertle, “I don’t like to complain, But down here below, we are feeling great pain. I know, up on top you are seeing great sights, but down at the bottom we, too, should have rights”. Yertle is un-phased by Mack’s cry for help, for in their society equality does not exist. By Dr. Seuss describing Mack as that “plain little turtle”, he demonstrates how political leaders see their subjects as “little” and easy to manipulate and control. "SILENCE!" the King of the Turtles barked back. "I'm king, and you're only a turtle named Mack”. Yertle continues to build higher and higher creating “a nine-turtle stack”. Ignoring the physical and emotion toll he not only inflicts on Mack, but his people as well. Seuss continues to shows a direct similarity to the bourgeoisie when he displays that Yertle has power over them without even trying to because the turtles believe that this is the way things are supposed to be. “Turtles! More turtles!" he bellowed and brayed. And the turtles 'way down in the pond were afraid. They trembled. They shook. But they came. They obeyed. From all over the pond, they came swimming by dozens. Whole families of turtles, with uncles and cousins And all of them stepped on the head of poor Mack. One after another, they

Frustrated and angry, Mack burps, shaking the carefully piled turtles, and Yertle falls into the mud. His rule ends and the turtles have their freedom. “And tosay the great Yertle, that Marvelous he, Is King of the Mud. That is all he can see. And the turtles, of course... all the turtles are free As turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be”. I believe Dr. Seuss created this story to show that ordinary people can overthrow unjust rules if they understand how to use their own power. Simply anyone can make a difference and their action can bring about change. Also, that equality is crucial but we need to create change in order to gain it, and we need to because, we all deserve it. Analyzing this story made me realize that Dr. Seuss would always have deep and profound themes in his stories. On the surface, Yertle the turtle may look like a simple children’s book, but this story has an underlying message that can apply in today’s