Neglect
The story of Treehorn’s shrinking may be short, but it is surprisingly robust with metaphorical commentary. The central premise of the young protagonist discovering that he is getting smaller each day becomes the foundation which is examined through a series of interactions with other characters. Each of these episodes can be used to interpret the metaphorical meaning of his shrinking from a different perspective. For instance, the first person Treehorn informs about his condition is his mother. At the time, her attention is entirely focused upon the cake she is baking in the oven and as a result she completely ignores him. This scene can be directly interpreted as a metaphor for as a metaphor for the shrinking self-image of a child who is neglected by parents, guardians, or caretakers.
Condescension
One episode features Treehorn and his parents at the table eating dinner. By this point, he is no longer being ignored, but another issue is quickly raised when his father tells him to sit up straight because he can barely see his head. The visual evidence of Treehorn’s shrinkage is thus made clear, so the focus has shifted away from neglect. The rest of the scene plays out as a conversation in which Treehorn’s claims to be getting smaller are not taken seriously. Outright denial turns to accusations of pretense. A little later, after dinner, in the living room, the accusation of pretense has finally become acceptance, but the issue has now moved to cause and Treehorn’s father blames his son for shrinkage on the basis that he simply wants to be different. At this point, the metaphorical interpretation is related to consequences of condescension by adults toward kids who yearn to be taken seriously. When Treehorn pointedly says “I thought I was shrinking” after his parents finally admit to it, it is the exasperation of delayed recognition.
Consumer Capitalism
Things take a sharp metaphorical twist in the next episode which focuses solely upon Treehorn’s obsession with sending in for the send-away offers on cereal box-tops. Treehorn eats cereal every day for breakfast in part because he likes the cereal, but mostly because he likes to send away for items. Notably, he doesn’t actually care that much for the items so much as he enjoys the process of sending away for them. In fact, he doesn’t care whether the dog whistle which is the latest prize he sends away for can actually heard by dogs or even if can be heard at all, he just wants to send away for it so that he can have one. This scene can be interpreted as a commentary on the devaluation of the individual within capitalist free enterprise in which everyone is reduced to a consumer.
Individualism
When Treehorn is sent to the principal’s office, he has to fill out a form indicating what offense he committed to be sent there. Since shrinking is not one of the choices, he has to write it in himself, but the principal misreads it as “shirking” and even after Treehorn corrects him, he continues to focus on this perceived offense. Characterizing students, teachers, and staff in the school as all being members of a team, his misreading of Treehorn’s handwriting creates a connection between shrinking and shirking in which Treehorn’s getting small is portrayed as a rebellious act of individualism which threatens the cohesion of the team. Thus, within the principals’ office, Treehorn’s shrinking is a metaphor for the smallness of self-centered individualism.
Adolescent Shutdown
The book ends with Treehorn returned to his normal size but noticing that everything’s gone green on his body. His adventures in shrinkage have taught him a lesson. He thinks that nobody else will notice if he just doesn’t say anything. The final scene of the book has his mother entering the room and telling him to turn the TV volume down and come his hair before guests arrive. This scene is juxtaposed against the opening one in which he tries to tell his mother he is getting smaller and she completely neglects him. In this instance, he makes no attempt to inform his mother that he’s gone green and she does not seem to notice. The metaphorical interpretation is thus shifted from the parent to child. With this decision to say nothing and bring no attention to change to his appearance, the ending becomes a metaphor for the emotional shutdown of adolescence in the wake of Treehorn having literally and symbolically matured as a result of his recent experience and overnight growth spurt.
