Honestly, we probably wouldn't have addressed this theme in the text, but Don Freeman himself wrote to his editor that he "wanted the story to show the vast difference between the luxury of a department store [and] the simple life [most people live]." (Source)
His book, his rules—that's how it works, right?
His illustrations do provide some interesting contrasts between the opulent department store and Lisa's home, and you'll never guess which one Corduroy likes better.
Just kidding, we all know where this one's going: the small, simple setting of Lisa's room is clearly much cozier, showing kids that bigger isn't always better.
Questions About Luxury vs. Simplicity
- How does Freeman use eye contact to illustrate the difference between the department store and home?
- How do the spatial relationships between the items in the department store and those Lisa's room define the space?
- How does Freeman's use of color connect the two main settings in the story?
Chew on This
Freeman uses eye contact to signal that Corduroy has finally found his home, unlike the lonely department store.
By mixing day and night palettes in Lisa's room, Freeman suggests that it will be a permanent home for Corduroy.