However, once he learns of his mother's impending return home, the boy confronts the mayhem in the home: he catches the Things with a net and even assertively commands the Cat to leave. The boy’s passivity remains his defining characteristic for most of the book: he does not directly interact with the Cat, instead powerlessly watching as the madness unfolds in the household. While he doesn't seek out play opportunities, the boy’s narration reveals that he still wants to have some fun: “And I said, ‘How I wish/We had something to do!’” (7-8). At the beginning of the book, the boy and Sally sit at their chairs and gaze out the window. The boyĪs the narrator, Sally’s older, unnamed brother guides us through the events of the story, often pausing to give us insights into the unfolding story. The Cat is thus a paradoxical character: he values fun and spontaneity, but still respects some of the basic principles of any traditional household-cleaning up and taking ownership of one’s mess. He simply wants to show two children-who have surrendered to their boredom amid the rainy weather and their mother's absence-how to amuse themselves with ordinary items in their house.ĭespite his encouragement of the children to have fun and defy the rules, the Cat restores the house to its original, neat condition and claims that he “always picks up playthings” (179). While embodying chaos and anti-authoritarianism, the Cat’s intentions are not misguided or inappropriate. With his balancing act and unearthing of the Things, the Cat disregards many of the social norms enforced in the children’s home, as illustrated by the fish’s frequent, passionate dismissals of his presence.

As the most complex and fully realized character in the book, the mischievous, human-like Cat introduces Sally and her brother to a new, fantastical world full of fun and chaos.

The cat in the hat returns