The vehicle
The Cat’s red motor vehicle—equipped with protruding white-gloved hands that dust, clean, and place all the items back in their original spot—is one of the most striking pieces of imagery in The Cat in the Hat. Notably, the vehicle’s outlandish appearance and technological capabilities contrast with the ordinary belongings in Sally and her brother's home, including books, balls, an umbrella, a rake, and a bicycle. Because of its visual and functional departure from the "normal" household items, the vehicle is an emblem of the imaginative, fantastical world revealed to the children by the Cat.
Sally and her brother staring out the window
The opening illustration shows the bright red exterior of the house visually clashing with the gloomy, black-and-white, pouring rain. Seuss then connects the hazardous weather to the children’s indoor confinement, as we see discarded outdoor play items—a tennis racket, several balls, and a bicycle—on the following page. Moreover, the image of Sally and her brother sitting together, ignoring the play items, and staring out the window at the lifeless, drab outside world shows how confinement produces their boredom and ennui. This imagery thus paints a static, mundane portrait of childhood, which quickly becomes erased with the Cat’s entrance in the story.
The Cat
One of the most vibrantly illustrated characters in Seuss’s entire body of work, the Cat’s outrageous appearance consists of a red-and-white-striped hat, floppy red bowtie, and blue umbrella. The combination of the Cat’s costume and his upright, towering stature deviates from the conventional image of a reserved, timid domestic cat. The visual imagery of the Cat’s playful, subversive appearance also compliments his playful demeanor and actions.
The Cat's balancing act
The images of the Cat balancing, tossing, and juggling various household items illustrate his dexterity and grand ambition to impress and entertain Sally and her brother. The image of the Cat’s balancing act is paired with his demands for the children to watch his fun: “Look at me!/Look at me NOW!/It is fun to have fun/But you have to know how” (188-191). In other words, the Cat is relying on the striking spectacle of his act to show the children that, with a bit of imagination and creativity, they can amuse themselves with ordinary items—just like him. Moreover, the inclusion of the books in this scene shows books as the type of thing one can toss, balance, play with, and, most importantly, have fun with. While the children do not verbally respond to the Cat’s trick, the illustrations depict their mesmerized, wide-eyed, and intrigued reactions, which suggests that new ideas and practices about fun require participation from both the actor—the Cat—and the receiver—Sally and her brother.
