Why might Sendak have chosen to be vague rather than literal about the passage of time during Max's journey by ship to the land of the wild things?
Sendak describes Max's journey by boat as taking place "through night and day...and in and out of weeks and almost over a year." This is a surreal, nonlinear depiction of time. It takes Max's journey into a less literal, more internal and fantastical realm, suggesting that his adventure with the wild things may in fact be taking place inside his own mind.
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What do you think is one possible lesson to draw from Where the Wild Things Are?
Throughout the text, Sendak shows the importance of listening to and honoring emotions, whether that of an adult or a child. Rather than cast a disapproving eye on Max's anger, he honors it with an adventure for Max that allows him to fully experience that anger and release it on his own terms.
Where the Wild Things Are Questions and Answers
The Question and Answer section for Where the Wild Things Are is a great
resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
There are many reasons why his book was banned from libraries, schools and even homes when it came out. People in the south were the first to start pulling the book off shelves in libraries and schools. His book was thought to be too frightening,...
Where the Wild Things Are study guide contains a biography of Maurice Sendrak, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
