Isnt it true that Horton hears a who is a metaphor for American Politics?

Question

Isnt it true that Horton hears a who is a metaphor for American Politics?

Answer 1

Nope, american politicians are tolerated, but not heard...

Answer 2

not sure, never saw it!

Answer 3

Although I believe that the book, "Horton Hears a Who," can be read on many levels, including that of a poignant social and moral parable, I do not find the story to be a metaphor for contemporary "American Politics."  I should add that I have not seen the recent film adapted from the book.

As to the book, although Theodor Seuss Geisel (i.e., Dr. Seuss) was not apolitical by any means (e.g., his early WWII political  cartoons for "PM" urging America to enter the war against the n***s), "Horton Hears A Who" has his signature animal fable with a science fiction twist; and it contains his delightful teaching words and sentences in rhyme.

The book can also be seen as containing a parable of social justice and morality.  Surely, Horton, a comical character, represents kindness, trustworthiness and courage.  Perhaps most touching and instructive is Horton's proclamation that "A person is a person, no matter how small." He hears a cry for help from a speck of dust, and tries to protect the creatures who live on it from the derision and trickery of other animals. Horton prevails when he persuades the Whos to make as much noise as possible to prove their existence.

Thus, this wonderful book can be used to entertain *and* to introduce children to important social and moral questions.  Are the Whos not symbols for any group of individuals who have been rendered invisible and voiceless by an arrogant, dominant group?  Do the Whos not represent the poor and other minorities found in many socieities?   "Yes" seems to be the answer to those questions:  Not only in America, but everywhere there is social injustice.  Taken further, Horton's protection of those weaker than he can be seen as a call for people to unite and speak up for themselves.  

Indeed, Horton's recurring phrase "A person is a person, no matter how small" has become part of the debate in America about abortion. Several pro-life groups have adopted the phrase in support of their views.  However, to her credit, Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss' widow, has objected; and Dr. Seuss' biographer Phil Nel wrote that Dr. Seuss threatened to sue pro-life groups who used the line as a logo.

To conclude, there are surely social and moral issues raised by Dr. Seuss in "Horton Hears a Who," but I do not find persuasive evidence that he intended the book to be "a metaphor for American Politics."  Rather, his intent seems much broader:  To provide a wonderful, entertaining book that, among other purposes, can help the young and old all over the world to see the social and moral issues so apparent in "Horton Hears a Who."