Horton the elephant is a criminal

Using Dr. Seuss to teach social process, conflict, and labeling theory

Bibliographic Data

ID15316215
AuthorsAngela West (Marshall University, corresponding author), Angela D West
Year2005
Volume16
Issue2
Pages340-358
Publication date2005-09-07
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Criminal Justice Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1051-1253 • E-ISSN: 1745-9117
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10511250500082302
OpenAlexW2026167734
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited9

It is fairly well known that Theodor Geisel (“Dr. Seuss”) often used art and storytelling as political and social commentary, but no one has attempted to interpret his work through the lens of sociological/criminological theory. This paper argues that several of his tales can be used as aids in teaching the basic principles of many sociological/criminological theories. The author analyzes several of his works and uses one, Horton Hears a Who to illustrate his subtle but powerful commentary on the creation and application of laws, the impact of social stratification, the pervasive and dangerous influence of social and political power derived from economic power, and the nature of crime, punishment, and rehabilitation. The author describes how to create a classroom exercise to teach theory using this particular Seuss story

Conflict resolution · Conflict theories · Criminal justice · Criminology · Epistemology · Literature · Narrative · Political science · Politics · Power (physics · Process (computing · Punishment (psychology · Social science · Sociological theory · Sociology · Storytelling · Computer Science · Digital Games and Media · Folklore, Mythology, and Literature Studies · Law · Media, Gender, and Advertising · Psychology · Social Psychology

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