Escalation of Material Progress: Decadence in the Life of Once-ler in The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Abstract

This dissertation explores the decadence in the life of Once-ler due to the escalation of material progress in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax by applying eco- critical perspectives. Once-ler in The Lorax shows his anthropocentric view guided by his hubris to accumulate infinite wealth so as to be wealthy in short time. The researcher's claim is that Once-ler feels alienated due to his inability to see the inseparable relationship between nature and human beings. Nature is always giving- A Gaia whose abundance is taken for granted by Once-ler whose material thirst becomes problematic for him as he does not get happiness. The focal point of my research hits on the very aspect of unhappiness which according to the common thought must be rewarding after material pleasure. The researcher draws the answer for the question whether material pleasures are true bliss or taking resort to nature is more rewarding to humans. The major argument of the research work Once-ler's alienation and inability to balance personal happiness and economic prosperity has been substantiated taking the insights from Jhan Hochman's "Green Cultural Studies", Paul W. Taylor's "The Ethics of Respect for nature",Claire Palmer's "An Overview of Environmental Ethics", "Eco criticism in Context" by William Howwarth, Lawrence Buell's "Representing the Environment", Aldo Leopold's "The Land Ethic" and Arne Naess' "The Deep Ecological movement: Some Philosophical Aspects". The researcher selects these approaches as they give insights that the act of dishonoring the environment leads human beings towards chaotic life which Once-ler meets in The Lorax. The research work examines the act of Once-ler guided by the headlong thirst for material gain due to anthropocentric drive that ultimately declines the condition of human beings along with nature.After scrutinizingThe Lorax, the researcher has reached to the conclusion that material pleasures are not true bliss, andtaking resort to nature is more rewarding to humans. Once-ler, in the narrative, feels alienated due to the loss of affinity to the nature. As he can't blend his nature with nature, he develops the feeling of alienation.