The Cat in the Hat
The Cat in the Hat Theme of Dissatisfaction
For a book about having fun, there's a whole lot of dissatisfaction and negativity in The Cat in the Hat. The fish's favorite word seems to be "no," and the kids aren't too psyched about their situation either. The Cat, on the other hand, oozes satisfaction from all four of his whiskers. This exuberance rubs off on some of our characters, but it makes others—ahem, fish—even more disgruntled. But hey, by the end, even the fish is smiling and satisfied. No harm, no foul.
Questions and Answers
Q: Why is the boy so bummed at the beginning?
A: He's probably just bored. Or maybe he's upset that he doesn't have elbows.
Q: Is it okay to make a mess when you're bored?
A: The Cat isn't making a mess to keep from being bored. He's making a mess to have fun. And it's always okay to have fun when you're bored. (Mess optional.)
Q: Why is the Cat so happy all the time?
A: Some people can just let stuff roll off their shoulders. It's called being laid back.
Q: Why doesn't the fish want the cat to stay?
A: Pure fear.