Jose Fernando C.

Gemperle September 13, 2021

The Lorax – Ecological Inquiry and Discussion

1. Make a chart listing the different species in this movie, where they are normally
found and what happens to them at the end of the movie (and why it happens).

Where they are normally

Species What happened in the end
found
Truffula trees were used
by the Once-ler to make
Truffula Trees Forest Thneeds. In the end, when
trees were not sustained,
they went extinct.
They used to live under
the Truffula trees and eat
its fruits. However, when
there were only few trees
Brown Barbaloots Trees/Forest
left, barbaloots were
forced to leave and go
somewhere where they
can find foods.
The Swomee Swans used
to happily fly in the sky.
Unfortunately, when the
Swomee Swans Air/Pond Thneeds factory’s smoke
covered the atmosphere,
they were forced to leave
the place.
Humming Fishes used to
live in a clear and peaceful
pond. However, when the
Thneeds factory’s waste
Humming Fish Pond
turned their home into a
dark, dirty and messy
pond, they had to leave
and go somewhere safe.
2. Name some of the reasons the lorax gives for saving the trees.

 They are the source of foods for the brown barbaloots.

 It provides shelter for the brown barballots.
 Trees absorb the carbon dioxide that humans and animals release.
 It provides fresh air to breathe.
 It serves as an aesthetic for the nature.

3. Do you really need a thneed? Give examples of why the Once-ler thinks you do.

- I think, people nowadays would need a thneed that can be used as a shirt, a carpet,
a pillow, a sheet, a glove etc. This is because of the social construct that these are
a necessity. People cannot walk around the street without wearing anything such
as clothes which makes the thneed, in the lorax, a need. However, if we will
consider the era when people do not use anything to cover their bodies, thneed
might not be needed. Thus, for me, thneed is in between the need and a luxury. It
will be a necessity if people do not have something that can be useful as thneed.
However, if they already have it and still wants to buy another, that’s the time it
would become a luxury.

4. What is the Once-lers rationale for keeping the factory open and continuing to sell
thneeds?

- The Once-ler kept manufacturing and selling thneeds because he thought that it
was a need and he was helping people to provide it. For him, it is more important
to serve men than the nature.

5. Why was the word “UNLESS” left behind by the Lorax?

- The word “UNLESS” was left behind by the Lorax because he wanted somebody
who will see it to realize that, unless someone really cares about something,
there’s nothing to improve. The Once-ler in the film did not care about the
environment especially cutting the Truffula trees, and its impact to other lives.
Thus, when the nature was destroyed, there will be a lot of improvement just to
bring back everything to life.
6. Who does the Once-ler entrust with the last truffula seed? Why do you think it
was given to this person?

- The Once-ler entrusted the last Truffula seed to a boy to plant it, treat it with care,
give it clean water, and grow a forest with it because the Once-ler realized that the
Truffula trees are what people really need, not the thneeds. He gave it to the boy
because, I think, if he would do it, there’s a possibility that he could make the
same mistake, as what he did before. Also, he gave it to the boy who is less likely
to do what he did with Truffula trees; a boy who has a pure heart and can be
trusted.

7. Why do you think you never see the Once-ler’s face?

- I think, the Once-ler’s face was hidden in the whole duration of film because he
represents people who are liable for abusing natural resources, especially those
who are in businesses that are inclined with logging activities.

8. The use of technology requires the use of natural resources. The use of natural
resources often has an effect on the environment. How did the production of
thneeds affect a key biotic (i.e., living) natural resource, truffula trees?

- The Truffula trees was essential for the production of thneeds. So, when the
demand for the thneeds got bigger and bigger, the Once-ler had to invent
something that can cut more trees at a time to increase productivity. With these,
the barbaloots who used to live under the Truffula trees and eat its fruits were
affected and had to find a place where they can find foods and shelter. Moreover,
the factory’s wastes that are dumped in the ponds compromised the humming
fish’s habitat, making it unhabitable for them. Lastly, the swomee swans could
not fly comfortably because of the smoke coming from the factory that covered
the sky.

9. What is more important, making lots of money or preserving the environment?

Why?

- For me, making money out of natural resources is not bad, as long as it is in
moderation and the nature is taken care of. However, what is more important
between making lots of money and preserving the environment is the latter,
though it is also important to make money to buy people’s needs. What makes the
former of less importance is the word “lots.” People can still continue to use
natural resources to make “enough” money for their needs without harming the
environment.
 10. What do you think the message in this film was? Write a half page reflection on
the movie (350-400 words).

- The Lorax depicts the conflict between environmentalists/ecological activists

(represented by the Lorax), and companies associated with logging businesses
that continue to abuse the natural resources (represented by the Once-ler). The
story is not subtle, and neither should it be. With the Once-ler, Seuss personifies
industry as a whole in order to call attention to unbridled corporate greed as a
threat to nature. The Lorax shouts the alarm, but, like many environmental
groups, it is disregarded until it is too late. However, industry isn't the only one to
blame in this cautionary story. Industry will only manufacture what it believes
will be purchased by customers. So, in some degree, we're all accountable for the
environment's fate. In his narrative, Dr. Seuss is kind with us, but our
participation is strongly suggested. This is the world we'll end up with if we, as
consumers, are so readily influenced by the next great thing without consideration
for how it's created.

In general, I think that the message conveys what Dr. Seuss was intending to
convey. If you own and operate a business, you should do so in the most
environmentally friendly manner feasible. It will help conserve the environment
by preventing pollution and contamination, because once the climate is wiped, it
is gone for forever. In addition, The Once-narrative ler's teaches us to be cautious
in order to avoid repeating past mistakes. Take advantage of your setbacks. Profit
from the blunders of others, both those you know and those recorded in history.
Continue to try, keep moving forward, and strive to be just a little bit better than
we were before. We must use caution while dealing with the environment since it
is unique. Neglecting the environment can have disastrous consequences, such as
the death of plants and animals.

Lastly, The Lorax serves as a timely reminder to speak out against injustice and
oppression, as well as to fight to bring about change. Despite the fact that The
Lorax is a children's book and film, the lesson it conveys is one that we should all
remember as adults.

  I affirm that I have not given or received any unauthorized help on this assignment and
that this work is my own.