Horton Hears a Who! Theme of Madness

Poor Horton. When he starts talking to the Whos, everyone in the jungle assumes that he's gone completely insane. Just because he can hear voices that they can't, they think that it's all in his head and that he should be ridiculed. In the end, though, the jungle animals (all those judgmental Wickershams and kangaroos) learn that just because you don't see or hear something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. It seems like Horton Hears a Who! is telling us to look at things from different perspectives before we make a judgment call.

Questions and Answers

Questions the little ones might ask and how you might respond

Q: How come Horton never wonders whether the Whos are real or not?
A: If you started hearing voices, would you wonder if they were real? Actually, wait a second. If you start hearing voices, please tell me immediately.

Q: Is Horton really crazy?
A: We don't think so. He's just a guy who's talking to some tiny little people. Sounds fine by us.

Q: Why would they boil the speck of dust in oil if it isn't anything?
A: Honestly, littl'un, we hadn't thought of that. Maybe they're the crazy ones.