If I Ran the Zoo Essay Questions

What role does public recognition play in If I Ran the Zoo?

As one of the book's major themes, public recognition plays a significant role in If I Ran the Zoo. From the outset to the end of the story, the theme arises whenever Gerald imagines visitors to his theoretical zoo marveling at his invented creatures and praising Gerald's genius as a zookeeper. By the end of the book, when Gerald imagines his fully stocked zoo having its grand opening, he comments that the public would cheer and call his zoo "the gol-darndest zoo / On the face of the earth!" Ultimately, Gerald's grandiose vision contrasts sharply with the actual zookeeper's humble comportment as he stands contentedly before his lion display, seemingly untroubled by what anyone might think of his modest zoo. This contrast further highlights the gap between the reality of adults and the imagination of children.

How is the theme of imagination reflected in the writing style used for If I Ran the Zoo?

In If Ran the Zoo, Dr. Seuss's trademark combination of style elements enhances the book's thematic preoccupation with the power of imagination. In the book, Seuss uses his usual verse style of anapestic tetrameter and combines it with creative rhymes, invented creatures, and made-up words, such as "nerkle," "skeegle-mobile," and "lunks." The result is a tonal playfulness that is well-suited to capturing the child narrator's imaginative voice. In doing so, Seuss mirrors the book's content in its form.