Where The Wild Things Are Themes | GradeSaver
Maybe your like
Imagination
Imagination is a central theme of Where the Wild Things Are. When Max's anger gets the better of him and he is sent to bed without supper, he turns to his imagination for solace. Alone in his bedroom, he creates fantastical "wild things" as his company. Using his powers of imagination, he plays with them, satisfying his angry impulses and ultimately resolving them. In other words, imagination is Max's tool to process and successfully handle his emotions and his temper.
Independence
Independence is a significant theme in Max's world. Seeking independence, Max imagines a forest growing in his bedroom that transports him far away from his mother's discipline. A private boat arrives for Max alone, allowing him to sail off on an individualized adventure. Max then becomes king of the wild things, flipping roles from a child subject to the rules of adults to a king able to set his own rules. At the pinnacle of independence, he gives the same order to the wild things that he received from his mother: go to bed without dinner. Yet in the end, his love for home, his mother, and a hot dinner trumps his desire for independence, and he gives up his kingdom to return home.
Anger
When Sendak first published Where the Wild Things Are, it was met with some criticism for its unflinching portrayal of child anger. At the time of its writing, Sendak's work stood out in contrast with the usual style of children's books, which contained dogmatic moral lessons and featured children behaving properly. In this story, Max's wild behavior is featured prominently. When subject to his mother's discipline, he reacts with anger. Rather than subduing his anger in favor of obedience, he shouts at his mother: "I'LL EAT YOU UP!" Max's mother promptly punishes him for his terrible behavior, but Sendak never shows Max apologizing, or directly addressing his wrongdoing in a way that would directly provide a moral lesson. Instead, Max works through his anger on his own terms. Left to his own devices, he regains control by embarking on an imaginary adventure and only then returning home. Max's anger is not the only emotion to dissipate: he finds his hot dinner waiting for him upon his return, showing that his mother has forgiven him as well. Thus Sendak seems to break the taboo of anger, indicating that it is a normal emotion for adults and children alike and that when treated with patience and respect, it takes its leave.
Home
Where the Wild Things Are revolves around the importance of home. The story's exposition and conclusion are set in Max's home, which appears to be a classic middle-class American suburban home. There is a dog in the home, and Max has a bedroom to himself. But at the beginning of the story, home is a site of conflict. Max and his mother get into a verbal altercation, and she sends him to bed without supper. Max then travels far away from home, to the land of the wild things. The story ends, however, with Max returning home—now a site of comfort rather than turmoil.
Where the Wild Things Are Questions and Answers
The Question and Answer section for Where the Wild Things Are is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Why is it banned in so many schools?
There are many reasons why his book was banned from libraries, schools and even homes when it came out. People in the south were the first to start pulling the book off shelves in libraries and schools. His book was thought to be too frightening,...
Where do you find the sources of the motifs, symbols and such
Check this out:
https://www.gradesaver.com/where-the-wild-things-are/study-guide/symbols-allegory-motifs
Who is the antagonist of Where the Wild Things Are?
The "wild things" serve as the antagonist.
Study Guide for Where the Wild Things Are
Where the Wild Things Are study guide contains a biography of Maurice Sendrak, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
- About Where the Wild Things Are
- Where the Wild Things Are Summary
- Character List
- Glossary
- Themes
Tag » Where The Wild Things Are Theme
-
Where The Wild Things Are - Children's Literature Book Reviews
-
Where The Wild Things Are Themes | Course Hero
-
7 Life Lessons From 'Where The Wild Things Are' - Bustle
-
The Hidden Adult Themes Of "Where The Wild Things Are" - Big Think
-
Where The Wild Things Are - Teaching Children Philosophy
-
3 Storytelling Lessons From Where The Wild Things Are - Forbes
-
The Deeper Meaning Behind "Where The Wild Things Are"
-
Where The Wild Things Are Themes | Shmoop
-
Where The Wild Things Are Summary | SuperSummary
-
Where The Wild Things Are By Maurice Sendak
-
Where The Wild Things Are - Wikipedia
-
The Unconventional Beauty Of Where The Wild Things Are - Max Fedyk
-
Where The Wild Things Are | Summary, Analysis, Movie, & Facts