The Real Business of The Lorax
Dr. Seuss is known for writing many great children’s books. While younger children can enjoy the made-up words and the colorful pictures, they can’t always analyze the writing, as more experienced readers such as you and I can. In one of his best pieces of work, The Lorax, Seuss writes about a Once-ler cutting down trees in a forest, producing Thneeds, a popular product, and forcing all of the forest’s inhabitants to leave. This story has a deeper meaning, though, involving ethics and moral practices in the real world. Seuss uses The Lorax to show the evils of greed and economic growth being prioritized over the wellness of the people.
An example of these evils can be found in the Once-ler’s business. Seuss uses this business to represent a large and expanding company in the real world. The Once-ler is intent on growing his business, even though the Lorax strongly advises against it. While the Lorax cries out at the Once-ler, telling him to stop cutting down the trees, the Once-ler responds: “… I’m figgering on biggering and Biggering and BIGGERING and BIGGERING!! Turning MORE Truffula Trees into Thneeds.” (49) This need to grow causes big problems throughout the story.
Also, a noticeable literary technique Seuss uses on several occasions in The Lorax is the rule of three. Before the Once-ler’s business begins consuming all of the forest’s trees, there are creatures inhabiting the forest. Three different types of these creatures are forced to leave, as a result of the Once-ler’s new industry. The Lorax reprimands the Once-ler, screaming “my poor Bar-ba-loots are all getting the crummies” (35), and “My poor Swomee-Swans… why, they can’t sing a note!” (40), and tells the Once-ler he’s “glumping the pond where the Humming-Fish hummed!” (47) These events are what make clear Seuss’ intended emphasis on the well being of people being infringed upon by industry and large businesses.
Shortly after, the Lorax makes sure that the Once-ler knows the effects
An example of these evils can be found in the Once-ler’s business. Seuss uses this business to represent a large and expanding company in the real world. The Once-ler is intent on growing his business, even though the Lorax strongly advises against it. While the Lorax cries out at the Once-ler, telling him to stop cutting down the trees, the Once-ler responds: “… I’m figgering on biggering and Biggering and BIGGERING and BIGGERING!! Turning MORE Truffula Trees into Thneeds.” (49) This need to grow causes big problems throughout the story.
Also, a noticeable literary technique Seuss uses on several occasions in The Lorax is the rule of three. Before the Once-ler’s business begins consuming all of the forest’s trees, there are creatures inhabiting the forest. Three different types of these creatures are forced to leave, as a result of the Once-ler’s new industry. The Lorax reprimands the Once-ler, screaming “my poor Bar-ba-loots are all getting the crummies” (35), and “My poor Swomee-Swans… why, they can’t sing a note!” (40), and tells the Once-ler he’s “glumping the pond where the Humming-Fish hummed!” (47) These events are what make clear Seuss’ intended emphasis on the well being of people being infringed upon by industry and large businesses.
Shortly after, the Lorax makes sure that the Once-ler knows the effects