The Parables of Dr. Seuss
Robert L. Short
Westminster John Knox Press, 2008,
101 pp., $16.95, www.wjkbooks.com
Robert L. Short’s latest in the “gospel according to” genre, which he kicked off with Peanuts back in 1965, examines the theology of 11 classic children’s books by Dr. Seuss. Seuss’ oeuvre oozes with startlingly simple and savvy images of grace, faith, hope and the human condition, so it is a shame that Short feels the need to force these natural parables toward some ungainly interpretations.
Short insists a story need not have Christian intent to illuminate Christian truth, then labors mightily to portray Seuss as a covert evangelist based on his choice of pronouns, some reverse-engineered acronyms and feats of numerology more suited to Kabbalah than literary exegesis. The Cat in the Hat as a Christ figure? Sure. Thing One and Thing Two’s kites symbolizing the cross? Probably not the author’s intent, but not a bad little conceit. Half of the Seuss books referenced secretly preaching Short’s own brand of Christian universalism? Limber up before reading as you might pull something trying to stretch that far.
All the same, The Parables of Dr. Seuss contains some choice fodder for developing a children’s sermon or Sunday school series or simply for inspiring reflection on your own journey to Solla Sollew.
