The Cat in the Hat

Sigmund Freud a neurologist, developed one of the most comprehensive, complicated and controversial personality theories in psychology. It went around the basis of being made up pf three distinct components; the ID, Ego and superego. He believed the Id was the animal part of our psyche, the superego our morality and ego are reality principal that balances out our ID and Superego. In the book the cat in the hat we see all three ego's displayed through each character.

I will argue in the beginning of the story, The cat is controlled by his Id, but makes a transition by the end of the story to his ego. How the cat acts, talks and his effects on others represents his id's domination over his ego and superego, but changes throughout the book.

The cat's actions, barging in the door, trying to keep everyone entertained by balancing things on his head, and hopping up and down on a ball, shows that he is an attention seeker. The cat wants to have fun, and he wants everyone to pay attention to him, so he does whatever it takes. He doesn't take into consideration what others want to do because he is selfish. He does what he wants and doesn't think about the possible consequences of his actions. At the end of the story, after being asked to leave the house, the cat returns with his cleaning machine and cleans up his mess. This shows how he has changed his attitude, and his actions now represent those controlled by his ego.

The cant wants to play, and he tried to convince the unwilling fish to let the children play with him. "I know some new tricks. I will show them to you. Your mother will not mind at all if I do." He says things to try and convince them that it' okay, and he keeps talking so nobody has a chance to say no. He says whatever he wants to, to get what he wants. When the cat comes back to clean up his mess, he says, "Have no fear of this mess, I always pick up my play things. And so... I will show you another good trick that I know". He is doing the right thing, but still is keeping the attention on himself. This shows how his personality is changing, but his id is still largely represented, along with his ego.

The cat has a different effect on different characters in the story. For example, he makes the fish, which is dominated by his superego, upset and uncomfortable. But, he intrigues the children, who are controlled by their egos, and want to have fun, as long as they don't get into trouble. He intimidates the children, and he is rude, but he is exciting and has a way of making people want him to stay. " I can hold up the cup and the milk and the cake! I can hold up these books! And the fish on a rake! I can hold the toy ship< and little toy man ! And look with my tail, I can hold a red fan! I can fan with the fan as I hop on a the ball...". He is suspenseful, making the children want to see more. After the cat