A Child’s Imagination
The narrative is the introduction to Dr. Seuss’s literary universe that explores the fantasies appreciated by children. In it the protagonist Marco is a child with a wild imagination alluding to the sense of wonder and creativity shared by many children. Marco lets his imaginations run wild creating a fantasy story that he wishes to narrate later on to his father. Dr. Seuss acknowledges this sense of imagination that children possess that allows them to ‘decorate’ their reality. Marco is not satisfied with the story of a plain horse and cart and begins to imagine a parade of imaginary people and objects.
Creativity versus Fabrication
The line separating mundane reality and ingenuity is a little bit of imagination and willingness to allow it to blossom. Marco turns his mundane walk from school and turns it into a world of fantasies by fostering his sense of wonder. Dr. Seuss explores the idea of creativity versus lying in that the two can be confused especially if coming from a child’s point of view. In teaching morals, adults teach the young ones to not lie which can also extend to their imaginations. Therefore children tend to abandon their creativeness in order to not break the rule of telling the truth. However, when the truth only acts as an inspiration for their imagination then it is not a fabrication but creativity.
Parent-Child Relationship
Through the short narrative, the relationship between the Marco and his father is demonstrated clearly with few words. Marco addresses the instances where his father scolds him for his imaginations as he views them as lies. Therefore, his father’s take on his sense of wonder influences how he chooses to share them. He is aware that his imaginations are not reality but then again are not lies but his father will not see it that way. Rather than abandon his creativity to please his father he chooses to tell him the truth that he wishes to hear. Thus, explores how a child balances the dilemma of pleasing their parent while enjoying their sense of wonder.
