“Did you ever
have the feeling
there’s a
ZAMP
in the
LAMP?”
This is one of the books by Dr. Seuss that is geared toward his younger audience and so derives its pleasure from sound and illustration images more than story. The story, such as it is, involves a young boy going through his house and asking a series of questions similar to this opening line. The premise is based upon creating rhymes with everyday objects in the house that describe imaginary creatures. And that’s pretty much the beginning, middle and end of it.
“Sometimes
I am quite CERTAIN
there’s a JERTAIN
in the CURTAIN.”
As the tour of the house and the creation of more imaginary creatures moves along, the rhymes become a little more sophisticated. On the page opposite this particular quote, for instance, there is another threefold rhyme, this one with clock: tock and zlock. The narrative itself does not become any more integrated or complicated, but the evolution will continue.
“The YEPS
on the STEPS
are always fun
to have around.
And so are
many, many
other friends
that I have found…”
At this point it is worth mentioning that there is only one actual non-imaginary character in the house: the little boy. There are no signs of parents, siblings, babysitters, or friends. He appears to be not just an only child, but a latchkey kid. If this particular aspect has gone unnoticed to this particular point in the story, here is where the theme becomes impossible to overlook. It is a story about the necessity of imagination for lonely kids.
