The Cat in the hat

Khalia Thompson
Section 1,2


Was Dr. Seuss implanting Freud’s psychical theory in the Cat In The Hat? Yes, Freud’s psychological theory is based on three parts the id, ego, and superego. The character I chose to analyze and fidget with is the narrator. Our narrator is stuck between the ego, and superego as the story starts. Superego dominated toward the end. The narrator’s speech, and actions, three indirect characterization proves my opinion.

“ I do not like the way that they play “, the narrator says. At the end or toward the end the narrator shows his superego kicking in. Superego is the moral part developed due to the moral part placed on us by caregivers. The narrator began to think about the mother’s absence & return.

Wasn’t the ego also working though? Of course. For example the narrator says, “ Sally and I did not know what to say”. This text appears at the begging. The ego knows the Cat in the Hat isn‘t allowed in the house when their unsupervised. But this ego is the stage in which the situation. But its still considering its own needs to have fun, which is the need of the id. The id doesn’t car about anyone else. This narrator’s indirect characterization shows its confusion between the ego & superego.

“ Now you do as I say “. You pack up these Things and you take them away.” This shows the superego dominating through and winning.
In conclusion to my thoughts, the narrator is torn at the beginning but matures into the superego toward the end.