Schizophrenia In Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears A Who

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Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears A Who is a short story about a lonesome elephant in The Jungle of Nool who comes upon a certain spec of dust that calls to Horton for help. Over time Horton becomes very emotionally connected to the spec and thinks that the Who’s are talking to him. Horton also is paranoid about leaving the clover the spec is on because he is afraid something bad will happen to the Who’s. The behavior exhibited by Horton; paranoia, delusions and hearing voices, is very similar behavior to that of individuals suffering from schizophrenia; a disease where one has a distorted view of reality and perceiving what is real (schizophrenia). Dr. Seuss writing style is very unique from the styles of other writers in the time he was writing, …show more content…

alone there are as many people with schizophrenia as the combined populations of Wyoming, Vermont, Delaware, and Hawaii” (Johnston 302). Schizophrenia defined is a severe mental condition that interferes with normal thought processes and is known to cause delusions; “an incorrect belief about reality that is clearly false”, hallucinations; “A disruption in one’s perception of reality, in which the senses perceive stimulation that does not actually exist”, paranoia; “fear of threats and persecution not based on reality”, and mental disorganization. Similarly to Horton people who suffer from schizophrenia will have delusions and hallucinations. They have mistaken beliefs, perceive things that do not exist, and will often hear voices (Schizophrenia). Horton can very easily fit this disease since throughout the story he is seen believing that there are who’s living on a spec of dust, and he hears them talking to him though none of the other animals in the jungle hear any voices whatsoever. Also the Schizophrenia article mentions how people with this disease are often very depressed and have little interest in the ongoings of daily life. This defines Horton well because he is nagged by the kangaroo for a reason why he never wants to do the things the other animals want to do all he ever seems to do is laze about the