As the political pundits turn their attention to deciphering the agenda of the candidates and looking for "hidden clues" into just who these candidates are, I turn my attention to a children's classic. After reading P.D. Eastman's Go, Dog. Go! for the 90th time, I feel uniquely qualified to reveal the "hidden" message from within this text. It's a message that has been staring me in the face the other 89 times I read it to my children, and yet this time somehow it stood out more clearly.
Ready? Here it is: this book is all about how men control relationships, and how hats, not food, are the gateway into our hearts.
Don't believe me? How does the book end?
A male and female dog driving off into the sunset wearing goofy hats. Right. And how did we get there? A series of encounters between these two dogs and hats.
The first encounter, a casual conversation while walking:
"Hello!" "Hello!" "Do you like my hat?" "I do not." "Good-by!" "Good-by!" She's clearly disappointed that he didn't like that hat, "I was assured this was of the latest fashion!" The male dog isn't wearing a hat. As the story progresses she, attempting to capture his interest, will continue to challenge her local milliner for the finest headgear to catch the eye of the yellow canine. He, meanwhile, will say, "huh. That was random. I have a sudden hankering for a hat," and visit his local hatter.
Second encounter, now on scooters:
"Hello again." "Hello." "Do you like my hat?" "I do not like it." "Good-by again." "Good-by." Note the "hello again." She's making sure he remembers that they've spoken before: "remember me? Check out this doozy I have on my noggin." But, again she's disappointed, "Curses! I thought for sure the feather would win him over!" He now is wearing a bowler, and as he scoots away has stolen her feather. Racy.
Third encounter, on the ski-slopes:
"Hello again." "Hello." "Do you like my hat?" "I do not like that hat." "Good-by again." "Good-by!" Having gone skiing, they're both wearing weather-appropriate hats. His is short and conservative. Hers long and goofy--attention grabbing and impractical. However, he shrugs her off and zooms down the hill, leaving her to grumble "good-by" as she heads back to murder her stylist.
Final meeting, at a party on a tree:
"Hello again. And now do you like my hat?" "I do. What a hat! I like it! I like that party hat!" One can only almost imagine the disdain and snarkiness of her comment, "And now do you like my hat?" But! Instead of the disappointment we've come to expect, her ridiculous hat is met with success! We have a winning combination! The guy is even wearing a fairly silly hat. Maybe it's because they're both drunk from the "big dog party," or maybe it's just that hats have a secret seductive quality.
So what's the rest of the book? A bunch of stuff to distract you from the real message! Don't be deceived. P.D. Eastman clearly has a hat fetish.
Ready? Here it is: this book is all about how men control relationships, and how hats, not food, are the gateway into our hearts.
Don't believe me? How does the book end?
The first encounter, a casual conversation while walking:
"Hello!" "Hello!" "Do you like my hat?" "I do not." "Good-by!" "Good-by!" She's clearly disappointed that he didn't like that hat, "I was assured this was of the latest fashion!" The male dog isn't wearing a hat. As the story progresses she, attempting to capture his interest, will continue to challenge her local milliner for the finest headgear to catch the eye of the yellow canine. He, meanwhile, will say, "huh. That was random. I have a sudden hankering for a hat," and visit his local hatter.
"Hello again." "Hello." "Do you like my hat?" "I do not like it." "Good-by again." "Good-by." Note the "hello again." She's making sure he remembers that they've spoken before: "remember me? Check out this doozy I have on my noggin." But, again she's disappointed, "Curses! I thought for sure the feather would win him over!" He now is wearing a bowler, and as he scoots away has stolen her feather. Racy.
"Hello again." "Hello." "Do you like my hat?" "I do not like that hat." "Good-by again." "Good-by!" Having gone skiing, they're both wearing weather-appropriate hats. His is short and conservative. Hers long and goofy--attention grabbing and impractical. However, he shrugs her off and zooms down the hill, leaving her to grumble "good-by" as she heads back to murder her stylist.
"Hello again. And now do you like my hat?" "I do. What a hat! I like it! I like that party hat!" One can only almost imagine the disdain and snarkiness of her comment, "And now do you like my hat?" But! Instead of the disappointment we've come to expect, her ridiculous hat is met with success! We have a winning combination! The guy is even wearing a fairly silly hat. Maybe it's because they're both drunk from the "big dog party," or maybe it's just that hats have a secret seductive quality.
7 comments:
Wow, I had never even thought about it before. I just thought the male dog was a jerk!
Lisa
who has read this book a combine mazillion times as a child AND to my child.
I loved this book as a kid so I really wanted there to be some logic here, but alas, I am disappointed, just like the male dog.
This book has been my parable- It is just as you say - from my perspective -women are always trying to please men- When this would come up in my life - I would say I am having a Go Dog GO moment! I love your post- thanks for sharing-
Elizabeth
You’re kidding me! I read this book as a child, read it to my child & to my grandchild. These books are for you to create, explore & enjoy your imagination. It has whatever meaning to reader the reader gets out of it, it can be different at different times.
I could come up w many interpretations of the interactions between those 2. To me my other favorite Dr Seuss books are innocent sweet childhood memories. To each his own but I’m not ruining my memories w grown up interpretations. Only my inner child reads these books. : )
And I think it means, “ timing is everything”
Thanks Elizabeth
The book is a religious allegory. The dogs lives become ordered and they start to obey rules after all the craziness. The second night they are dead (fallen asleep in Scripture). The sun rises and they are summoned in the Resurrection. They go to the tree of life, ascend Jacob's ladder to heaven and all are present at a party (Revelation 7). Returning to the remade Earth things are now put right and the hat works. Last page they drive West (think end of Narnia).
Post a Comment