Psychological Warfare and Green Eggs and Ham

Although frequently tendered as an entertaining children's story, Green Eggs and Ham is much more. When viewed from the psychologically critical point of view, Dr. Seuss' simple tale of Sam-I-Am's promotion of a unique dietary delicacy can be interpreted with relative accuracy as a social criticism. The story, Green Eggs and Ham, is actually a commentary on the societal pressures of conformity and one individual's attempt, though futile, to usurp the will of the society.

At the onset of the story, the main character is both introduced and confronted by Sam-I-Am and the insistence that he enjoy a dish of green eggs and ham. Startled by this proclamation, the main character promptly refuses to partake of the repast. Not to be dissuaded, however, Sam-I-Am repeats his invitation and seemingly ignores the main character's denials. Sam-I-Am eventually progresses to offering a variety of locations and dining companions as a means of inducing the character to eat the meal.

Sam-I-Am enjoins the character to eat the green eggs and ham in a house. Then, Sam suggests the inclusion of a mouse as another incentive. Still, the main character refuses. Sam-I-Am is not deterred, however. He proceeds to suggest a variety of locations including "here," "there," a train, a tree, and a boat as possible dining locations. The main character obstinately rejects any and all suggestions while adamantly pleading for Sam-I-Am to abandon the entreaties.

The climax of this dispute finally comes to play when both characters have been plunged both literally and figuratively into the waters of change. Capitalizing on the Biblical and archetypal meaning of transformation through the inundation of water, Seuss' narrative reaches its apex.

Ultimately, Sam-I-Am offers a Faustian bargain, of sorts. He suggests that the main character simply "try" the green eggs and ham to determine their gustability. Under great duress, but seeing no other way out, the main character agrees to Sam's urgings. He guardedly samples the green eggs and ham...and is pleasantly surprised at his own favorable reception of the taste. At last, all resistance has been cleared away.

In conclusion, the main character, though persistent in his initial repugnance for the delicacies presented, eventually succumbs to the insistent urgings of the fiend. Metaphorically, this situation resembles the human desire to protect one's individuality in the face of opposition. However, like all fallible humans, each person is apt to eventually yield his own desires in the face of unfailing antagonism. The similarities of being human, it seems, are overwhelmingly stronger than the innate desire for individuality. How can a race expect to achieve new and greater things, if each member will eventually acquiesce to eating the "green eggs and ham" handed to us by all the Sam-I-Am's of the world?