Theme Of Discrimination In The Sneetches

Discrimination is a universal theme that resonates in both stories. Dr. Suess clearly intends the audience to recognize the devastating effects of bias be it cultural, racial, and even the superficial- and how these behaviors have lasting impact on society. Specifically, in the “Butter Battle Book,” there is discrimination between the Yooks and Zooks. The Yooks prefer their butter on top of the toast, while the Zooks enjoy their butter underneath. The disagreement leads to years of intense hatred. The strong bias against each other builds walls of misunderstanding. The discrimination results in a war and destruction. Additionally, in “The Sneetches,” there is discrimination based on appearances and class. The star-bellied Sneetches believe

they are “better” than the plain-bellied Sneetches. They refuse to associate themselves with the plain-bellied Sneetches. The discrimination and prejudice brings chaos and loss of money. Ultimately, star-bellied Sneetch and Yook propaganda lead to discrimination.
The universal themes of discrimination and competition are evident in both stories. In the “Sneetches,” there is discrimination between the Sneetches. The Sneetches with stars on their bellies have the mindset that they are better than those without stars. For years, the star-bellied Sneetches ignore the plain-bellied Sneetches and leave them out of activities. With the actions of the star-bellied Sneetches, Dr. Seuss displays the theme of discrimination. Like, the sat-bellied Sneetches, people often form prejudice and discriminate over what others may consider silly or pointless. Because of something so simple as having a star, the plain-bellied Sneetches are isolated and persecuted. Dr. Seuss uses this to make the point that in modern society, people are prone to prejudice over unreasonable things such as gender, class, and race. They are incapable of overlooking minor differences leading to discrimination. Similarly, the theme of competition can be seen throughout the plot of the “Butter Battle Book.” Grandpa and VanItch attempt to outdo the other by the other by bringing newly developed weapons. They compete to be the better adversary. Regrettably, neither side tries to solve their differences by talking. The result, is a war. With this conflict, Dr. Seuss conveys that people don’t think clearly when swept up in competition. Like, Grandpa and VanItch, in the midst of a competition, people cannot swallow their pride to find a resolution.
In the “Butter Battle Book,” the main conflict is society versus society. There is a disagreement about how butter is put on toast. The Yooks prefer their butter on top of the toast, while the Zooks enjoy their butter underneath. Both sides are headstrong on their opinions and detest the other. The Yooks and the Zooks believe that their own way of eating butter on toast is the correct way and any other method is wrong. Hate arises over a minor difference. Walls are built to separate the two societies eventually leading to a war including countless dangerous weapons. Overall, the Zooks and Yooks are affected by fear of the unknown. Misunderstanding between the two could have been avoided if they had simply confronted their differences. The walls only make matters worse by adding onto the tension. In the “Sneetches,” the main conflict is once again society versus society. The star-bellied Sneetches believe they are “better” than the plain-bellied Sneetches. One day, the plain-bellied Sneetches are given the opportunity to pay to get stars on their bellies. The original star-bellied Sneetches become upset that every Sneetch now has a star. They proceed to remove their stars. This process continues to proceed until the community is in entire chaos. Because of a difference in appearances, the star-bellied Sneetches discriminate and in the end, the all Sneetches lose money.
The symbol that impacts the characters’ behaviors in the “Butter Battle Book,” is bread and butter. The entire conflict of this story is a result of how the Yooks and Zooks eat butter on bread. The Yooks prefer their butter on top of the toast, while the Zooks enjoy their butter underneath. This minor difference in lifestyles separates the two communities.
In “The Sneetches” the stars on the star-bellied Sneetches are a factor in the Sneetches’ behaviors.

Because the plain-bellied Sneetches lack the stars that the star-bellied Sneetches have, they are discriminated. The benefit of symbolism is that it enhances the writing and provides insightful meaning. Dr. Seuss provides insight about discrimination and prejudice. The danger of symbolism is that it can offend others. For example, the “Butter Battle Book” is an allegory for the Cold War. Those who fought in the war may find the book and the symbolism behind it offensive. However, those who are interested in the war may find that symbolism in the book has great

information.
In the “Butter Battle Book,” Chief Yookeroo appears to be the commander-in-chief of the Yooks. Chief Yookeroo encourages Grandpa by saying “You’re not to blame” and motivates him to continue to fight by supplying him with more weapons. At first glance, Chief Yookeroo seems to be a happy-go-lucky character whom Grandpa respects. He is encouraging and appears to have confident in the Yooks. However, throughout the entirety of the story, Chief Yookeroo is only seen inside his office. He doesn’t actually confront the Zooks face-to-face like Grandpa, but watches and gives orders on the sidelines. He leaves the war in the hands of Grandpa. Chief Yookeroo does not step up to his role as a commander. Not to mention, after handing the “Bitsy Big Boy Boomeroo” to Grandpa he runs off with the rest of the Yooks ordered to hide. At first, Chief Yookeroo had strong faith in the Yooks, but by the end, this faith had dissipated. For these reasons, one might conclude that Chief Yookeroo is a coward. In addition, Sylvester McMonkey McBean is an entrepreneur that comes to the beach of the Sneetches in machine called the “Fix-it-Up Chappie.” Oddly enough, the machine is able to do exactly what the Sneetches want: take off stars and put on stars. At first, the price to go through the machine is three bucks, but the price slowly rises as his business becomes more popular. By the end of the story, Sylvester McMonkey McBean nearly has the Sneetches broke. Overall, he can be seen as a clever and realistic character. Sylvester McMonkey McBean’s actions remind readers that people are greedy and are willingly to do whatever to achieve their goals. However, his cleverness is a problem to the Sneetches. Sylvester McMonkey McBean takes advantage of the Sneetches’ insecurities and desires. By being manipulative, he is able to make money off of them. Sylvester McMonkey McBean can be viewed as a character who thrives off the chaos and worsens it.
In the “Butter Battle Book,” the settings of Yookville and Zookville look almost entirely the same.

Each side is drawn with grassy hills and similar looking houses. The similarity between Yookville and Zookville suggests that its residents are alike besides the fact that their eating habits are different. This shows that conflicts did not arise from major differences, but prejudice against the other’s culture and lifestyle. In “The Sneetches,” the scenery shows a plain, typical beach. The simplicity of the beach does not distract readers from the plot. Also, the typical beach makes it seem like the theme and overall story applies to everyone and not a particular

group.
Propaganda is biased, misleading, and promotes a certain point of view. As a result, a creates a chosen result in people’s attitudes. Further, it can manipulate people, making them things they wouldn’t normally do. In both stories, propaganda is prevalent. The Sneetches say that they’ll “have nothing to do with the Plain-Belly sort” (Seuss 10). It appears that everyone in the star-bellied circle has this mindset drilled into their heads or is forced to follow this. Likewise, in the “Butter Battle Book,” Grandpa makes it seems like the Zooks are horrible people. He firmly tells his grandson that every Zook cannot be trusted and “has kinks in his soul” (Seuss 280). All Yooks, including children, are forced to believe that the Zooks are bad people. They are told unreasonable information with no evidence. Propaganda controls people into blindly following the rest of society’s opinion.
Both stories are a realistic interpretation of how people behave. All people are prone to prejudice, competition, discrimination, and power; all of which are themes of the stories. Many of Dr. Seuss’s books are political or social allegories. It is difficult to recognize faults in human nature and write a children’s book about them. Dr. Seuss’s storytelling in the “Butter Battle Book” and “The Sneetches,” as well as many of his other books, carry deep messages and lessons with them.