Deconstructing Geisel
On Intrigue and Temptation
Gabrielle Lambert
Issue date: 4/1/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Theodor Geisel's works are masterpieces of literature. One of his most famous tomes was written on a dare, to see if he could create a story in 50 words or less. This story, despite its brevity, is an exploration of the murky depths of temptation and desire, and the will to surmount them.
As the story opens, a forthright gentleman sits quietly reading his daily paper (the Wall Street Journal or Financial Times, no doubt). A character named Sam introduces himself to the sober man, who is quite displeased with the interruption. Undeterred, the enigmatic Sam offers the gentleman a troubling substance, suspiciously colored in a fluorescent shade of green. The gentleman, possessing impeccable scruples, refuses to sample Sam's wares. However, Sam is persistent. Sam hounds the man, despite his vigorous protestations. First, he offers a change of venue, believing the man simply does not want his friends and family to discover him doing something untoward. However, this is not the man's motivation, and he firmly declines. Sam offers the gentleman all of the earthly delights: houses, luxury cars, wild animals, trains, anonymity, yachts, and simultaneous summer internships at Moldman Tachs, McQueesy and Draft. He even alludes to some unmentionable activity with a goat, but our gentleman's virtue remains intact and all the offers are declined.
As he reaches the limits of his tolerance, the gentleman proffers one final act of defiance, a vehement assertion of his manhood and the right to refuse fluorescent green substances. He declares, "I do not like green eggs and ham! I do not like them, Sam-I-am!" The gentleman's proclamation of resistance is a profound moment in English literature. Alas, the wily Sam changes tactics and dons a mask of innocent inquiry. He promises the gentleman that he will leave him alone if he simply tries the green eggs and ham, just this once. The gentleman succumbs to Sam's subtle entreaties and hesitantly swallows the potentially psychotropic substances. Much to his surprise and our dismay, the green eggs and ham are addictive and the gentleman develops a habit, announcing, "They are so good, so good you see!"
Geisel's story of the moral temptation of the Everyman illustrates humanity's inherent goodness and decency when faced with depravity. Indeed, Geisel's narrative is especially resonant today, as good people are bombarded with addictive substances like US Weekly, Jesse McCartney and Desperate Housewives. However, Geisel's ending offers a somewhat troubling "try it, you might like it" reversal. The reader is unsure whether Geisel is condemning the gentleman's weakness after such an epic moral battle, or simply encouraging people not to be so fussy about trying new things. In either event, Geisel's Green Eggs and Ham offers much fodder for intellectual and spiritual debate, thus ensuring its proper place in the American literary canon. Readers who enjoy Green Eggs and Ham may also enjoy Geisel's tale of neglected children and home invasion titled, The Cat in the Hat.
As the story opens, a forthright gentleman sits quietly reading his daily paper (the Wall Street Journal or Financial Times, no doubt). A character named Sam introduces himself to the sober man, who is quite displeased with the interruption. Undeterred, the enigmatic Sam offers the gentleman a troubling substance, suspiciously colored in a fluorescent shade of green. The gentleman, possessing impeccable scruples, refuses to sample Sam's wares. However, Sam is persistent. Sam hounds the man, despite his vigorous protestations. First, he offers a change of venue, believing the man simply does not want his friends and family to discover him doing something untoward. However, this is not the man's motivation, and he firmly declines. Sam offers the gentleman all of the earthly delights: houses, luxury cars, wild animals, trains, anonymity, yachts, and simultaneous summer internships at Moldman Tachs, McQueesy and Draft. He even alludes to some unmentionable activity with a goat, but our gentleman's virtue remains intact and all the offers are declined.
As he reaches the limits of his tolerance, the gentleman proffers one final act of defiance, a vehement assertion of his manhood and the right to refuse fluorescent green substances. He declares, "I do not like green eggs and ham! I do not like them, Sam-I-am!" The gentleman's proclamation of resistance is a profound moment in English literature. Alas, the wily Sam changes tactics and dons a mask of innocent inquiry. He promises the gentleman that he will leave him alone if he simply tries the green eggs and ham, just this once. The gentleman succumbs to Sam's subtle entreaties and hesitantly swallows the potentially psychotropic substances. Much to his surprise and our dismay, the green eggs and ham are addictive and the gentleman develops a habit, announcing, "They are so good, so good you see!"
Geisel's story of the moral temptation of the Everyman illustrates humanity's inherent goodness and decency when faced with depravity. Indeed, Geisel's narrative is especially resonant today, as good people are bombarded with addictive substances like US Weekly, Jesse McCartney and Desperate Housewives. However, Geisel's ending offers a somewhat troubling "try it, you might like it" reversal. The reader is unsure whether Geisel is condemning the gentleman's weakness after such an epic moral battle, or simply encouraging people not to be so fussy about trying new things. In either event, Geisel's Green Eggs and Ham offers much fodder for intellectual and spiritual debate, thus ensuring its proper place in the American literary canon. Readers who enjoy Green Eggs and Ham may also enjoy Geisel's tale of neglected children and home invasion titled, The Cat in the Hat.