The Many Issues Addressed in Dr. Suess Books
The late great Theodor Suess Geisel was ahead of his time. While his books delight, they also educate kids and their parents about vital issues ranging from racial inequality to environmental destruction. Some of his books were cautionary tales.
An animated film version of one of these, The Lorax, will be released in March. Based upon Dr. Suess’ 1971 book, it features a faceless, greedy industrialist “the Onceler (not exactly a sustainable name)” who exploits resources rapaciously, causing major environmental damage while manufacturing “Thneeds” that as he put it “everyone needs.” The Lorax, a wizened advocate who “speaks for the trees, because the trees have no tongues,” confronts the Onceler about the environmental impacts of his business. A fascinating, yet realistic dialogue ensues.
The Lorax represents a voice of environmental consciousness that we once again need to hear. We humans struggle mightily to understand our place in nature. At times we seem to grasp it, as illustrated by the green movement, recycling, sustainable development, and fuel-efficient cars. But then we back-slide, as evidenced by climate change deniers, the anti-science and anti-evolution crowd. It is hard for us to accept our responsibilities as earth stewards.
The new animated film version of The Lorax provides hope. We all know the power that media holds to transform and inspire. The challenge is to change our culture so that acting badly toward the environment becomes socially unacceptable, just like smoking in public places or throwing trash out the window of your car has. Perhaps the film retelling of the Lorax is one step toward this change. The environmental messages contained in it bear repeating, and nobody could say them in a more creative, compelling way than Dr. Suess. To wit: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.”
Welcome back, Lorax!
