Analysis of 'The Butter Battle' Book written by Dr. Seuss

As children, numerous individuals can recall reading Dr. Seuss’s books from time to time. In his book The Butter Battle Book, Dr. Seuss illustrates a silly fight about butter as a way of showing classic judgment of our world. There are two different groups of people on each side of the wall: one side is the Yooks, which eat their bread with the butter side up; and the Zooks, which eat their bread with the butter side down. Both sides believe one their way is the right way, causing tension and leading to a battle. Through this battle of beliefs, each side begins to realize they must be better than the other and do whatever they can to win. Throughout the book, Dr. Seuss portrays meaning through the effective use of parody, dramatic irony, and conflict development.

Dr. Seuss’s effective use of parody helps convey his meaning clearly. Dr. Seuss writes, “That was old-fashioned stuff. Slingshots, dear boy, are not modern enough” (Seuss 14). From this statement, the reader can understand that Dr. Seuss uses a slingshot to imitate nuclear weapons. Within the Cold War, having more superior nuclear weapons than the other was a general idea. Illustrating that the slingshot isn’t modern enough can relate to nuclear weapons within the Cold War. Dr. Seuss also exclaims, “Who’s going to drop it? Will you…? Or will he…?” (Seuss 26). This is a parody because it is imitating the relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States. The author chose to question the character's intentions because within the Cold War neither side fought each other directly. This clearly shows that questioning the character is related to the concept of the Cold War. From these examples, it is clear that Dr. Suess is a master of parody.

Furthermore, Dr. Seuss’s effective use of dramatic irony helps to convey his meaning clearly. Dr. Seuss writes, “VanItch had a Sputter exactly like mine!” (Seuss 20). This shows that the audience knew the Zooks would bring the same weapons as the Yooks, but grandpa Yook thought his was better and would surprise the Zooks. This is dramatic irony because the audience knew something the characters didn’t. Dr. Seuss also exclaims, “The boys in HIS Back Room had made him one too!” (Seuss 25). Again, the audience knew this event would occur. This is dramatic irony because it was predictable that during the butter battle they would be surprised that they each had the same weapons. From these examples, it is clear that Dr. Suess is a master of dramatic irony.

Moreover, Dr. Seuss’s effective use of conflict development helps to convey his meaning clearly. Dr. Seuss writes, “All the Zooks stayed away and our country was safe. Then one terrible day a very rude Zook by the name of VanItch snuck up and slingshotted my Snick-Berry Switch!” (Seuss 10). This line illustrates that there was a specific conflict between both sides. The author made the conflict clear by introducing it right at the beginning. By writing this line, the audience has a clear view of the concept of the book. Dr. Seuss also writes, “He said, ‘you’re not to blame. And those Zooks will be sorry they started this game” (Seuss 11). This shows conflict development because the Yooks are blaming the Zooks for starting the battle. By writing this line, it sets the mood between the characters and allows the readers to not have confusion throughout the book. From these examples, it is clear that Dr. Suess is a master of conflict development.

Dr. Suess’s collection of books is not simply a group of fictional literature for children. His books allow readers to understand a wide variety of issues in our world through satire. Struggles with war, judgment, deterrence, and importance are accomplished through his books because these were the concepts of The Butter Battle Book. His use of parody, dramatic irony and conflict development are the perfect choices in that they serve to highlight and clearly reveal the problems within our world.