THE ABSURDITY OF FOCUSING ON DIFFERENCES

The Sneetches
by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) (New York: Random House, 1961, 1989)

Introduction

This story, though simple and written for children, has a complex level of meanings. It shows the stupidity of judging individuals based on their appearances. The star on the bellies could represent any physical difference: skin tone, eye color, hair type, nose shape, body shape, etc. The star can represent the latest fashions and unchecked consumerism—spending too much money on clothing the wealthy and beautiful wear on the streets of urban centers. The moral of the story is discrimination, being shunned in society and being treated as inferior members of a society based on some aspect of physical appearance. Luckily, these Sneetches learn a valuable lesson on their beaches. It is a lesson that we beach, inland, mountain, and dessert dwellers need to learn: a human is a human and it doesn’t matter what we look like or what we wear. We all require food, shelter, love, understanding, kindness, acceptance by our societies, and a warm welcome by the world

Summary

The Sneetches are an imaginary race of yellow, long-necked, duck-billed creatures that live on beaches. The race is divided by stars—some sneetches have stars on their bellies and some have starless bellies. These stars create a deep divide between the Sneetches. The Star-Belly Sneetches are the popular Sneetches, and any Sneetch with a star is invited to all the fun parties, beach games, and other social gatherings. They hold themselves out as superior to the starless Sneetches. The starless Sneetches are pained at their exclusion.Then one day, equality is offered by Sylvester McMonkey McBean, a type of traveling salesman. He sets up his machines and tells the starless Sneetches that for just three dollars, his machines will put stars on their bellies. They all rush in, pleased with the result, and quickly show off their new stars to the Star-Belly Sneetches and declare their equality pointing out that there is no longer any way of distinguishing between the Sneetches. The Star-Belly Sneetches are, of course, furious. “We’re still the best Sneetches and they are the worst. But, now, how in the world will we know,” they all frowned, “If which kind is what, or the other way round?” (p.13)Then sly Sylvester McMonkey McBean offers to erase their stars, so as to be able to again distinguish the Sneetches, for just ten dollars. Human nature dictates the rest of the story: the Sneetches run from machine to machine, paying more and more money to have the star or not, depending on who is able to convince the others of the requirements for beauty and acceptance in society.Eventually, all their money is spent and Sylvester McMonkey McBean packs up his star machines and leaves with a laugh. Those Sneetches had gone in and out of machines so often and so fast, that “neither the Plain nor the Star-Bellies knew whether this one was that one . . . or that one was this one or which one was what one... or what one was who.” (p21)An expensive lesson, but it was a lesson that the Sneetches learned on the beaches that day. They learned that stars or starlessness was not important at all. Sneethces are Sneetches, regardless of appearance or apparel. They became friends with those with stars and those without.

Questions and Discussion

What are the “stars” in our society that we use, or that are used against us, to distinguish the beautiful and powerful from the less desirables?

Is there someone or something in our society that can be equated to the workings of Sylvester McMonkey McBean and his fancy machines? There is, of course, tanning lotion or anti-tanning lotion to alter skin hue. There is makeup and cosmetic surgery to alter eye shape, nose shape, lip shape, body shape. There are hair products that help minimize frizz, add volume, change hair color. There is expensive jewelry and clothing to help us gain acceptance from social groups.

Do you know of historical events, stories, fables, folktales, or other examples of a people or peoples learning that they are the same—at least that they have much more in common than not?

In the Sneetches, the Sneetches with no stars on their bellies are shunned by the Star-Belly Sneetches. As a result, the starless Sneetches are always sad, sit around and do nothing. Why did these starless Sneetches not organize their own parties and picnics and games instead of pouting about not being invited to the Star-Belly Sneetches organizations? Sometimes the best way to advance in society is not to assimilate to the powerful elite, but to live life better than the elite is living it. Which means enjoying life more, being happy, and especially not looking to others for acceptance.