Allegory and the lorax visible thinking
- 1. Allegory The Lorax – By Dr. Seuss
- 2. Introduction to Allegory Essential questions: What is an allegory? What is the purpose of allegory? Definitions: • a story, poem, or picture which can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. (Google) • a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation; a symbolic representation of something else (Merriam-Webster) • a literary device in which characters or events in a literary, visual, or musical art form represent or symbolize ideas and concepts (Wikipedia) Examples of allegory abound in literature. In fact, you no doubt have already read, watched or listened to many.
- 3. Dr. Seuss Dr. Seuss was an expert allegorist. Nearly all of his full-length books for children are in fact allegories of important political or moral issues targeted at adults. Some particularly well known examples are: - The Lorax - Yertle the Turtle - The Sneetches
- 4. The Lorax Let’s watch the film and makes some notes– consider characters, setting, plot and messages. You can record these in the Analysis worksheet as you go. You should also make note of your reactions to parts of the text that spark an emotion.
- 5. Visible Thinking Routine Unveiling Stories This routine invites you to uncover multiple layers in a text and to investigate world issues.
- 6. Unveiling Stories Step One: What’s the Story? As a group explain the central, most visible story of the text. Step Two: What is the human story? Discuss the way the story helps us understand the lives/nature of our fellow human beings around the world. Step Three: What is the world story? Discuss the ways in which the story highlights global issues with society or systems?
- 7. Unveiling Stories Step Four: What is the new story? Discuss what is new about the issue being explored – what changes and developments have we seen? Step Five: What is the untold story? Decide if there are ideas that have been left out or are not considered in the story.
- 8. Visible Thinking Routine The 3 Ys This routine will help you to discern the significance of the issue - keeping global, local and personal connections in mind.
- 9. The 3 Ys 1. Why might this story matter to me? 2. Why might it matter to the people around me (friends, family, community, city) 3. Why might it matter to the world?