Thread: The Lorax

Originally Posted by mpg

I've read many books to my daughter and seen many movies with her. This is the first time that any of those tried to shape her politics. It's Dr. Seuss's right to do that, but that doesn't make it less disgusting, and it doesn't negate the fact that it's an example of media bias.

No worries.

Show her a Merry Melodies cartoon on YouTube and the political programming will get completely overwritten in her brain.

Originally Posted by smb

Do not teach the children about politics liberal teacher,
Do not tell that kid what to think conservative preacher,
It is far better to keep our children ignorant,
So that they can be far less competent,
We must not teach the children anything of use,
Lest we be convicted of abuse.

http://www.debatepolitics.com/bias-m...post1060257412 (The Lorax)

I don't even like it when parents do it. My brother taught his children to be conservative Republicans when they were growing up. That's his right, but it doesn't pass the smell test. When a children's movie does it, that's carrying the idea much much further.

Originally Posted by Redress

Conservative teacher after reading The Lorax to class: "But Dr Suess is a commy socialist so you better not have been entertained."

Liberal teacher upon reading The Lorax to class: "What is the message, and what is right and wrong with it?"

*eyeroll*...........

Originally Posted by Redress

Conservative teacher after reading The Lorax to class: "But Dr Suess is a commy socialist so you better not have been entertained."

Liberal teacher upon reading The Lorax to class: "What is the message, and what is right and wrong with it?"

Although I had a lovely experience with the latter example, with The Crucible which was an exercise in anachronism that went uncommented except to say it was a commentary upon the author's contemporary concerns with anti-Communism.

Truth be told, one hears all sorts of interesting commentary or withholding of information when it comes to politics and literature.

Originally Posted by mpg

http://www.debatepolitics.com/bias-m...post1060257412 (The Lorax)

I don't even like it when parents do it. My brother taught his children to be conservative Republicans when they were growing up. That's his right, but it doesn't pass the smell test. When a children's movie does it, that's carrying the idea much much further.

I cannot believe that movies or literature should teach,
That would be an abusive overreach,
We must instead remain as neutral as possible,
And be sure to not teach anything responsible,
If we keep this practice up over the next eon,
We can all live in a world like Bergeron,
Oops but there I go using a story to teach again,
I surely mustn't do that for the sake of the chidren?

smb, have you asked me about the DP Limerick Contest?

Originally Posted by Josie

*eyeroll*...........

It was an exageration, but based on this very thread. Let's face it. Not only is there absolutely nothing wrong with having a message in children's books and movies(see for example the Narnia books, which despite it's religious overtones I would recommend to any kid), but in fact it is a teaching opertunity for any worthwhile parent or teacher.

Originally Posted by mpg

Even if I agreed with his politics 100%, brainwashing kids is despicable.

Dr. Suess was an EDUCATOR. Brainwashing requires telling lies and he never did.
The Lorax told the truth. Cutting down all the trees was wrong, just like killing all the Passenger Pigeons was wrong not so long ago. That's the purpose of education. Not having to relearn the same lessons generation after generation.

Originally Posted by iguanaman

Dr. Suess was an EDUCATOR. Brainwashing requires telling lies and he never did.
The Lorax told the truth. Cutting down all the trees was wrong, just like killing all the Passenger Pigeons was wrong not so long ago. That's the purpose of education. Not having to relearn the same lessons generation after generation.

Except that isn't the lesson in the story. The Lorax was angry at the FIRST tree cut down and all the rest. He didn't want ANY trees cut down.

Originally Posted by Redress

It was an exageration, but based on this very thread. Let's face it. Not only is there absolutely nothing wrong with having a message in children's books and movies(see for example the Narnia books, which despite it's religious overtones I would recommend to any kid), but in fact it is a teaching opertunity for any worthwhile parent or teacher.

On that we agree. We had a good discussion about Yertle the Turtle and Horton Hatches the Egg too. Great lessons in those.