The Cat in the Hat Lines 226-260 Summary

The Mother Walks Really, Really Slowly: Part 1

  • At that very moment, the fish (still in the pot and caught on a kite string) spies the mother strolling ever so casually toward the house.
  • All we get to see of Mother here is the hem of her red dress/coat, a bit of leg, and black heels. We get the idea she's a snazzy dresser.
  • How to describe the fish's attitude? We'd say panic. He literally "[shakes] with fear" (222). 
  • He says, "Oh what will she do to us?/What will she say?/ Oh she will not like it/ To find us this way!" (230-233)
  • Completely unafraid of the threat of the mother, the Things keep doing their thing.
  • Soon enough, the fish falls or jumps out of the pot onto a table and begins conspiring with Sally and her brother.
  • They need to step up and get rid of the Things before Mother walks in.