A Common Ground: Save the Trees. for instance, is quick to turn a blind eye to the dangers of chopping trees in order to build

Transcription

1 Dewey 1 Tri Luvver Mrs. Dewey English, Period 1A 6 October 2014 A Common Ground: Save the Trees Deforestation occurs without much thought for many industries. The housing industry, for instance, is quick to turn a blind eye to the dangers of chopping trees in order to build millions of new homes for people. Project developers, additionally, look into forests and woods and see potential of cleared land and new housing developments. Even so, these people fail to realize the dangers involved in deforestation. In Dr. Seuss short story, The Lorax, and in the Illumination Entertainment film production of the movie by the same title, we learn, in a cutesy, childlike manner, that deforestation and a greed for any sort of consumerism is dangerous, not only to natural habitats, but also to the people who take up this mindset. Although the media forms are different, and although different elements of the story are slightly changed from the story to the movie, the overall message of the dangers of deforestation and a consumer mentality are blatantly clear. First, in the story The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, we are introduced to the character of Once- Ler, an individually who came across Truffula trees and harvested them for all kind of wonderful uses especially Thneeds, a woven creation advertised and sold by himself. The crave for Thneeds is widespread, but soon, the Once-Ler runs out of Truffula trees, and the area that once thrived with three trees becomes polluted, causing many animals, such as the Barb-a-loots, the Swomee Swans, and the Humming Fish, to relocate. In the end, the Once-ler remembers the warnings of the Lorax, and, in remorse and yet hopeful desperation, hands off the last Truffula

2 Dewey 2 tree to a boy in hopes that the environment will be restored to what it once was. The story itself is simple, straightforward, and this plot, easy to follow. For example, Dr. Seuss use of rhyme and rhythm throughout the story allow it to be catchy, drawing us in and compelling us to listen to the details of the story. The opening lines read, At the far end of town/ where the Gricklegrass grows/ and the wind smells/ slow-and-sour when it blows/ and no birds ever sing excepting old crows.../ is the Street of the Lifted Lorax (Seuss 1). This is the kind of rhyme that would draw children in and, additionally, draw adults, with a flavor for nostalgic rhyming, in. It also begins with a somber mood; because of the slow-and-sour wind and the lack of birds singing, readers are immediately drawn to feel serious, reflective, and ready to anticipate some type of warning throughout. With this mood in mind, Seuss then develops the story of the Once-ler and his relation with three Truffula trees and the Lorax, ultimately ending with a mood of hopefulness, as the Once-ler explains to the observant boy that You're in charge of the last of the Truffala Seeds./ And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs./ Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care./ Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air./ Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack./ Then the Lorax and all of his friends/ may come back (Seuss 14). The warning is noted throughout the story, and the mood gradually shifts from somberness to sadness and loss, to hopefulness, ultimately displaying that, despite mistakes and damage made to our natural environment, a healthy environment can still be recovered. Similarly, the movie The Lorax, produced by Illumination Entertainment and inspired by Dr. Seuss story, presents the same message of hope, warning us of the dangers of deforestation, and allowing us to see the potential of restoring natural habitats. The movie itself is different images are brighter and more vivid in color, which, instead of the constant hum of rhyme as the story, has its own way of drawing viewer s eyes in like candy, and forcing viewers

3 Dewey 3 to continue watching. Moreover, we meet new characters who help us learn the same message the story presented. This makes sense, since viewers are given 95 minutes of storyline development time, allowing the reader to be introduced to details never imagined or possible in the story. For instance, in the opening scene of the movie, people are selling air, since the air has become so polluted that it is not suitable to breathe anymore. This scene is never mentioned in the story. Additionally, the boy who receives the one remaining Truffala tree from The Once- Ler is given a name in the movie: Ted. Ted himself is not without challenges; an individual named O Hare, in charge of selling oxygen, tries to steal the tree from Ted, but Ted enlists help from his family and lady interest, Audrey, and recovers the tree. Even despite such differences, the plot is kept rather similar; the Once-Ler tells the tale of how he deforested three land, how the Lorax had warned him not to, and now how the Once-Ler now has the chance to turn things around and make it right, providing trustworthy Ted with the opportunity to plant a new Truffala tree. Therefore, DreamWorks is able to stay true to the heart of Seuss message that even devastatingly harmful damage done to the natural environment can and should be reversed. The similarities and differences between the original story and the movie are clear and intentional, both pointing to a common theme, that of the importance of the protection of the natural environment. Seuss uses obvious literary techniques, such as the development of catchy rhyme and noticeable shifts of mood, in order to draw readers in and help them see the message of the dangers of deforestation. Illumination Entertainment, on the other hand, took liberties with the movie title, creating new characters, adding bright color, and developing the plot further, since a full 95 minutes is allotted to do so. Additionally, the story was intended to be read to children, with simple vocabulary and an engaging rhyme scheme, while the movie was intended to be watched. Thus, Illumination Entertainment did what nearly all movie-creators do

4 Dewey 4 best: it created engaging images and superb sound effects, since a movie viewer s primary methods of receiving information from screen are visual and auditory. It also added more suspense with new characters like O Hare, and a subtle love plot between Ted and Audrey, since additional suspense keeps viewers engaged for a longer period of time, and love, quite frankly, tends to sell. Thus, both the story and the movie excellently set up the warning that damage to the natural environment is harmful to all, and yet, changes can be made. Ultimately, I enjoyed the movie better, since the images were clean and crisp, and my mind responds to visual stimuli much more quickly than reading words on paper. I went away with images to remember in my mind, empathy toward the characters, and hopeful that Ted and Audrey would indeed make it and help the entire town become what it once was. The movie, light-hearted in form, still held for me a deep message to protect our resources, something I can still remember and hold with me today. Changes Made: Wording. 5 paragraphs to 4. Longer plot summary for each element. Each element s paragraph lists major similarities and differences. Inclusion of Works Cited (use easybib.com). Use and emphasis on transition words.

5 Dewey 5 Works Cited The Lorax. Perf. Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, and Zac Efron. Illumination Entertainment, Film. Seuss. The Lorax. New York: Random House, Print.