Essay Questions

How is the idea of dependability brought out in the novel?

Horton becomes an emblem of dependability in this story when he keeps his promise of hatching Mayzie’s egg who opts for a vacation instead. Even though Horton encounters a great deal of troubles including being laughed at by friends as well as being affected by the environment, Horton keeps his promise of hatching the bird’s egg. When later he becomes aware of the fact that the person who had given him the responsibility to hatch the egg would not be coming back, Horton keeps his promise. In this way, he becomes a symbol of loyalty as well as dependability.

How is ungratefulness explored in the novel?

Even though the responsibility of hatching the egg is Mayzie’s, the bird requests help from Horton and, therefore, transfers the responsibility to him. Horton, on the other hand, goes through the downsides of life while hatching the egg and manages to hatch it as had been promised to Mayzie. However, later, Mayzie demands that her egg be returned to her without even being thankful. In this way, Mayzie becomes an epitome of ungratefulness.

Mayzie is self-centered and selfish. Is this assertion correct?

Mayzie’s selfish character is drawn to the reader’s attention when instead of hatching her egg decides to go for a vacation instead. Mayzie’s line of decision-making alludes to her questionable character as a mother. When the Circus and Horton go near her, she demands that the egg be returned to her without even a hint of gratefulness. In this line, the assertion that Mayzie is a selfish and self-centered persona can be argued as true.