Character Analysis
Thidwick is the protagonist of Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose. Bet you're not surprised to learn that, and we're also betting you aren't surprised to learn he's the big-hearted sort. Yeah, it's kind of all right there in the title, isn't it?
But the title isn't a complete spoiler fest. What is missing from it is the fact that being big-hearted—despite what every parent, teacher, and after-school special has told you before—might not be such a great thing.
A Heart of Golden
At the beginning of the poem, Thidwick is the kind of guy who follows the golden rule. You know the one—do unto others as you would have them do unto you—except in Thidwick, it's written a little something like "For a host, above all, must be nice to his guests" (12.4).
The sentiment behind both sayings is very similar though. A host must be nice to his or her guests, and in return, when he finds himself in need or a guest in another's house, he hopes to be treated well, too. In other words, do unto others/put yourself in someone else's shoes/imagine if the roles were switched—all that jazz.
And Thidwick embodies the role of the gracious host right from the start. When the Bingle Bug asks for a ride on top of the moose's antlers, Thidwick says:
"I'm happy my antlers can be of some use.
There's room there to spare, and I'm happy to share!
Be my guest and I hope that you're comfortable there!" (3.2-4)
Here's the perfect example of Thidwick treating others well because, hey, he's the nice sort of guy. That Bingle Bug won't weight him down, and there's plenty of room. Even after the Bingle Bug invites the Tree-Spider and the Zinn-a-zu bird—without Thidwick's permission, we might add—the moose still treats them like a gracious host:
"This bird," murmured Thidwick, "is sort of a pest!
But I'm a good sport, so I'll just let him rest,
For a host, above all, must be nice to his guests." (12.2-4)
But Thidwick is about to learn a valuable lesson.
All That Glitters is Not Gold
As we watch Thidwick deal with his ungracious guests, we start to see an interesting aspect of the golden rule. That is, it really only works if everyone follows it; it's a two-way street type of deal. So if one person treats others well, and another only treats himself well, then things are going to start falling apart.
And guess what? This is exactly what starts to happen to poor old Thidwick.
More and more animals move onto Thidwick's antlers, but Thidwick keeps reminding himself that as their host, he's just got to be kind to his guests. Then winter comes, and Thidwick needs to migrate to the south side of Lake Winna-Bango for some moose-moss; without it, he'll starve.
In a perfect example of how one-sided Thidwick's relationship with his antler tenants has become, they decide to put the matter of moving south to a vote. Thidwick votes yes, since his life depends upon it and all, but he is swiftly outvoted:
"We win!" screamed the guests, "by a very large score!"
And poor, starving Thidwick climbed back on the short.
Then, do you know what those pests did?They asked in some more! (34.1-4)
The point of this passage is pretty clear. Thidwick has gone past the point of kindness to others, and now finds himself in a situation that is actively detrimental to his own well-being. Kindness is important and all, but within reason. And reason is firmly in the rearview mirror at this point.
This is a really unusual stance for a children's book to take. There are tons of children's books dedicated to how great sharing is and how we should do it all the time—heck, even Dr. Seuss's own Green Eggs and Ham can be seen as a book about sharing, if in a pushy sort of way. Thidwick's story, then, provides a counterbalance to all those narratives out there about how great sharing is. His tale is a warning that sharing, while great and awesome in theory, definitely has limits, too.
Starving to death, by the way, is one of those limits.
The Eureka! Moment
Of course, Thidwick learns his lesson, but only after the Harvard Club Hunters chase the overburdened moose around Lake Winna-Bango a few times. Cornered, Thidwick remembers that today is the day his antlers come off. Check it out:
And he called to the pests on his horns as he threw 'em,
"You wanted my horns; now you're quite welcome to 'em!
Keep 'em! They're yours!
As for ME, I shall take
Myself to the far distant
Side of the lake!" (48.1-6)
Having decided the spongers have sponged more than their share, Thidwick drops them and heads across the lake for a moose-moss munching lunch. The story ends on a happy note, culminating in the moment when Thidwick decides to finally take care of himself.
After all, kindness doesn't just flow outward. It's important to give a little love to yourself as well, a lesson that Thidwick finally figures out.