The Sneetches by Dr. Suess
Discussion Questions & Cartoon Analysis
Part I. Disscussion Questions
Directions: Read the book, The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss (link provided below) and answer the following
questions in complete sentences. Provide textual evidence for each answer.
1. How do the children Sneetches learn how to act?
2. What language is used to distinguish between the different types of Sneetches?
3. What privileges do the Star Bellied Sneetches have? How do they make the Plain Bellied Sneetches feel?
4. How does the Plain Bellied Sneetches behavior change once they have stars on their belly?
5. Who (or what) does McBean represent? What is his role in the book?
6. Does McBean really cared about the Sneetches? Why or why not?
7. How much does it cost to get a “star on” and a “star off”? What can be inferd from this?
8. What does The Star Machine represent?
9. Do the Sneetches learn anything? At what cost?
10. List two historical situations where this story is applicable. Justify your answer.
11. List two common, everyday situations where this story is applicable. Justify your answer.
12. Historically, who are the Plain Bellied Sneetches? What privileges may not be afforded to them?
13. Who are the Plain Bellied Sneetches in our culture? What privileges may not be afforded to them?
14. What is Dr. Seuss‘s message? Is it important? Why or why not?
15. Is the message appropriate for his audience? Why or why not?
Part II. Cartoon Analysis
Directions: Review the Cartoon Analysis Guide notes on Persuasive Techniques (from It’s No Laughing
Matter). Create a chart and evaluate three illustrations from the book based upon the five categories. Provide
page numbers for each illustration. Once you’ve identified the persuasive techniques that the cartoonist used,
answer the questions below.
1. Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?
2. What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?
Links:
The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss
http://www.sanjuan.edu/webpages/rhaak/files/sneetches%20book.pdf
It’s No Laughing Matter: Cartoon Analysis Guide
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/activities/political-cartoon/cag.html
Paired Reading Activity: Holocaust Literature
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The Sneetches by Dr. Suess
Discussion Questions & Cartoon Analysis
Paired Reading Activity: Holocaust Literature
Page 2