The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Unless you have been living under a rock, everyone grew up hearing and reading Dr. Seuss books or at least has heard Dr. Seuss's name. Even Dr. Seuss's writing cannot be without controversy. The Lorax, in particular, stirs controversy. The story relays the cautionary tale of a young boy who seeks out the Once-ler to hear about the mysterious Lorax that used to live in the area. Way back when Truffula Trees grew and the fresh air blew. Creatures roamed in nature happily enjoying the scenery. Then one day, the Once-ler decides he can make a profit from the Truffula Trees by making Thneeds. So the business begins... The Lorax, the speaker of the trees, rises out of the stump of the first cut-down Truffula Tree to warn the Once-ler of his actions. The Once-ler ignores the Lorax and continues to chop down more and more Truffula Trees until slowly the pollution spreads, natural habitats are ruined, and finally the last Truffula tree is torn down. Despite the disheartening past, the Once-ler gives the young boy the last Truffula seed.

Critics of The Lorax rouse controversy about the pessimistic nature of this story and its perceived attack on the logging industry. Although Dr. Seuss's example focused on cutting down trees, I feel as though Dr. Seuss's message spreads to the overall impact humans have on the environment. In my opinion, Dr. Seuss was ahead of his time. This simple children's story poses relevant dangers and cautionary information that still exist in society. Even today many people don't want to listen about humans' negative impacts on the environment. They don't hear, or at least want to ignore, warnings about global warming, animals' natural habitats, pollution, etc. As responsible citizens, Dr. Seuss opens our eyes to the worse-case scenario as all the Truffula trees are chopped down. The simple word "Unless" that the Lorax leaves suggests how things could have gone differently had somebody taken note of the devastating effects of cutting down the Truffula trees.

Yet, even though Dr. Seuss is critiquing society about our relationship with nature, he still offers us a small dose of opitmism at the end of the story. By the young boy receiveing the last Truffula seed, he can begin growing new Truffula Trees. It is as though Dr. Seuss is saying that there needs to be a balance between man, business, and nature. If someone cuts down a tree, grow a new tree. However, in this case, this last seed and action taken may be too little too late. Also interesting to note is that a few white pages later after the last page with words is a picture of the Lorax standing by a bare tree with only its branches. The Lorax's expression is distressed. Again, this reminder about not taking action sooner lingers with the reader.

By using bright colors when the Truffula Trees thrived and darker colors in his illustrations when the Truffula Trees are being harmed, Dr. Seuss emphasizes the disastrous results that can take place if there is not a balance between man and nature. Consistent with other Dr. Seuss books, Dr. Seuss uses a sing-songy rhyme to his writing that leaves the reader with even more of a picture in his/her mind after reading this story. Lines such as "Onceler!" he cried with a cruffuous croak. "Onceler! You're making such smogulous smoke!" My poor Swomee-Swanns...why they can't sing a note." Both the written descriptions and the illustrations add to the cautionary message permeating from this story. Dr. Seuss makes up words like the Lorax, Thneeds, smogulous that while entertaining to kids, also contribute to the story's meaning.

Although I can see why this book is marked as controversial due to its anti-logging attitude, I still view this book as a valuable tool in the classroom so that kids can explore some of the problems our society faces. By addressing relevant issues, students develop a more comprehensive understanding of challenges our society faces and can begin to reflect on their own actions and impact on the environment. Appropriate units or times to use this story range from a nature unit, Earth Day, a lesson on symbolism, to even a unit on how we as individuals can begin to change the world. Knowledge is power.