We are in our Literature series of Dr. Seuss here at Rinnagade Academy and I could easily write a review on every story. Over the next few weeks I will choose some of our favorites from the collection and try to offer a fresh perspective.
Who doesn't love Seuss? Most Americans could rattle off ten of their favorite Seuss titles without hesitation and entire unit studies are dedicated to his work across elementary schools the week of his birthday. He is indisputably one of the most prominent children's authors of all time...but why? I've been reading Seuss to the boys since they were infants. Not only are they fun to read ("Would you like them in a boat?") and incredibly well-written, but they're full of meaty messages, too. As a child, the rhyming and crazy illustrations kept my attention but as a parent, I love finding the underlying message woven into so many of the stories. Yertle the Turtle is one of those stories. At a closer look, it is laced with heavy moral issues and ethical direction, but as Seuss stated early in his career, "Outside of my Beginner Books, I never write for children. I write for people."
In our particular copy of Seuss the titles are sub headed by dates. This brings better perspective for parents as to what was going on in our country when the words were written. We know all great literature at least scratches the surface of character and values, but to be accidentally teaching American history is an added bonus. Seuss' stories give us opportunities to bounce lightly through rhyming stanzas of unrealized trepidation. We can gently and subliminally teach powerful lessons about mankind through the journeys of imaginary characters. There is much to be learned between the lines of a Seuss tale.
Does Seuss have an agenda with his books? I think oftentimes, yes. But, I've never read one I couldn't get behind. I'm sure Dr. Seuss realized parents would be reading these books to their children and who better to influence in the idea of raising children than the parents doing it?
The story takes place on "the far-away Island of Sala-ma-Sond" where Yertle is King of the Pond. All of the turtles are quite content to begin with plenty to eat, warm clean surroundings, and "everything turtles might need." Then, greed reared its ugly head and Yertle the King decides the kingdom he ruled was too small. Because he's ruler of all he sees, he decides he needs to see more and to do this, he must be higher up in the air - even desiring to surpass the moon that dares to be higher than him. This is achieved by literally standing on the backs of the other turtles, using them as his throne. Yertle becomes more hostile the more power he gets and the higher he goes (from nine turtles to five thousand, six hundred and seven high). There is little attempt by the turtles to free themselves of their plight except for one "plain little lad" named Mack who speaks up politely on behalf of the turtles about being hungry and hurting. In the end it is this little lad's burp that shakes the tower and eventually causes Yertle to fall from his throne, leaving him King of the Mud...which is all he can see. The story concludes that all the turtles are free and "maybe, all creatures should be."
There is a sentiment of Edmund Burke's famous quote: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." It's a classic tale of rooting for the underdog and him eventually being freed from the big bad super power but when you look from the other direction, we have much to learn from Yertle, as well.
Yertle the Turtle was originally published in 1958; not far beyond the shadows of World War II. With one careful read of Yertle's character you'll see an uncanny resemblance to Hitler and Mussolini in his tyrannical approach to taking over the pond. Yertle wanted more no matter how much he had and he abused the weak to get what he wanted.
If it feels a little far fetched for you to start teaching your Kindergartner about Hitler (and believe me, I have not approached this yet myself!), try these lessons on for size...greed, discontent, power struggle, and using the weak...that sounds a lot like sin. It sounds a lot like pride and a certain evil someone's fall from grace. That sounds a lot like the garden of Eden. And even more practical than all that, it sounds a lot like a present day struggle to teach our kids (and ourselves) to resist wanting more, more, more....and to be content with what we have. The truths of the story are universal and many.
Want more Seuss?
Buy the Book
PBS Kids Cat in the Hat
Seussville
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