Kriztia Credenda N.

Torayno

September 6, 2016

IV-MAPE IRD

Reflection Paper on The Lorax with Some Integration to Pope Francis Laudato Si
With all the laughs and the adorable animation of the characters in Dr. Seuss The Lorax
(2012), this light and fun respite approach of the movie puts forward not subtle but a deeper message
on the reality of environmental degradationits beginnings and dynamics; and also a suggestion for
all of us.
The film opens with the seemingly perfect world of Thneed-ville. People are singing out of
the beauty of their fake environmentmanufactured trees and a for-sale-clean-air; then focused to a
boy named Ted who also seems to enjoy the perfection of his village until focused to the earnest
desire of his ultimate crush, Audreyof a real Truffula tree in the village. Hence, he placed all his
interests to plant this tree, although clueless of what to do. Amidst the control of the capitalist, OHare
to prevent people from living the village, Ted was able to find the old man named Once-ler. The old
man, instead of directing only on how to plant/where to find trees, shares his story and admits that he
has cut all the treeshad broken his promise and hardened his heart to the guardian of nature, the
Lorax; thus, the cause of all the loss of trees. This then is the business opportunity found by the
capitalist-in-control of Thneed-ville, OHare as he was able to profit zillions from selling clean air.
Ted then realized the opposite of the whole idea of perfection in his village, which now together
with his infatuation- motivation comes the real concern to the truth about the environment. He,
together with his mother, grandma, and Audrey fought the very greedy OHare. In the end, the
villagers have also realized the importance of trees, and then from there, planted Truffula trees to
retrieve back mans degradation to the environment.
The whole film indeed has placed a profound impact to its audiencethis I regretted for not
watching at the very moment of its release in 2012. Two thingsfirst, I thought this animation is only
for kids and second, I thought I already got the message of Dr. Seuss The Lorax in the book when I
was still in gradeschoolthese two things, I am truly mistaken.
This is because this is certainly not only for kids but also for the old. Sure, the kids are
supposedly the market of Dr. Seuss books (in my perception) as they need to learn the value of
taking care of the environment, but now I realized, in my transition from learning it as a story book
back when I was a kid to now as a young adulthave I really got Dr. Seuss message?
Hence, I realized, after watching the adaptation film for the first timethe message is still
applicable to the old but must be integrated to their level of knowledge and supposed wisdom. Indeed,
Dr. Seuss has placed everyone to consider the dynamics of the family, the industry owners,
consumers, the environment, and most importantly the self.
The whole plot tells us that because of the intelligence of man (Ted), he was able to see the
use of the environment. He then sees opportunities to make himself better off as the demand for
thneeds was higher. He also sees it as an opportunity to prove himself in his family (which in Teds
case was a negative turmoil for not guiding him right and only sees him as a family member if he is

successful). Hence, Ted is convinced that the best way is to be an industry ownerproduce and
produce by cutting more and more trees. Here, he is not only to provide the consumers need but to
meet his greed by undermining the sustainability of the resources from which he is getting his raw
materials. In the end, there was no more trees. The Lorax confronted himand everything is gone but
not one last hopethe last seed (here, a prelude for the man who will care about treeswhich will be
Ted, together with his family and Audrey).
On a plain perspective, I saw the greed on the part of the industry ownersthe capitalists that
degraded the environment; moreover, I have to move forward (as this was the only thought I had
when I was a kid). Hence, on a more elevated perspective on the reality of environmental degradation
is my integration of my understanding of Pope Francis Laudato Siwhich then, I am able to go
beyond the given and sawthe very reality of the self.
I realized the truth of the individual. Man, as represented by Ted, desires self-fulfillment. I
realized how man have good intentions and good dreams from how he has discerned the use of the
things of this Earth. However, somewhere along the way (towards the realization of these dreams) lies
the issues. There are various factors/influences.
Man as a social being is influenced by the people around him. I have looked into first the
importance of mans upbringing in his family as it is from this core that he shall first meet the
fulfillment of belongingness, which then, he shall also obtain the learning of values and virtuesor
unfortunately, he can also be influenced from the opposite of such. Either way, these shall affect how
he shall meet his self-fulfillment. In the case of Ted, he is influenced by how his family has acted
greedily to meet the goal of wealth. Teds family has pushed him to do all the means to reach wealth
for Ted to earn his belongingness and love in the family. Hence, I was moved to also ponderwhat if
there are also many Teds in our world now?
Hence from this negative orientation, comes the intensifying stage as the business is prompted
by the high demands of the consumers. Here then I realized that if I am part of a very consumeristic
culture, I have also influenced those many Teds in our society to create more. Here then as a
consumer, I am truly responsible.
Here I see the integration of things from Pope Francis Laudato Si 1 and the effective
illustration of The Lorax. The cause of environmental degradation is not just because of the producers
but the causation of the factors prompted by everyone.

Pope Francis: Laudato SiReviews the present ecological crisis based on the results of the best
scientific research available today.Considers principles drawn from the Judaeo-Christian tradition
related to the commitment to the environment.

Considers the symptoms and causes of the crisis to provide an approach to ecology which respects
our unique place as human beings in this world and our relationship to our surroundings.

Offers broader proposals for dialogue and action for both individuals and international public policy.

Offers guidelines for human development based on the Christian spiritual experience.
From: http://blog.acton.org/archives/79408-a-guide-to-laudato-si-a-section-by-section-summary-of-pope-francisencyclical-on-the-environment.html

The irresponsibility, then, that I see in the producers is a long complex causation of the factors
of: upbringing (hence the importance of the familyto rear children with the right values and virtues)
and the lack of responsibility from the consumers to choose a throw-away culture that moved these
producers to produce more, and hence spoiling them of such a long standing great profit
accumulation.
Here then I see how responsibility is indeed a big word. The capitalists, producers, industry
owners have only overlooked responsibility because of how values and virtues are absent in the core
foundation in their upbringing and also the consumers have spoiled them to hold a greater wealth.
Indeed, this is the problem that needs to be addressed.
It is in this context that I have understood in a better light the call of Pope Francis to every
person living on this planet2 to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home 3
because indeed we affect each other in this environmental degradation. Pope Francis has presented us
that we can do this together if everyone would take his/her part to provide an approach to ecology
which respects our unique place as human beings in this world and our relationship to our
surroundings.4 This means that we must do our part, regardless of how small it is. This would still
mean a lot especially if the others will also do their part. Let me put in Ted. Although he is still very
young, he is still able to do something. You and I can also do that, putting aside our thinking that we
do not do much because our efforts are just petty.
Another thing is also the need for a governmenta responsible one. This is probably what Dr.
Seuss would want to show that as he put the government as an absent factor: putting in the capitalists
ruling the village (just like how Marxism is describing the negative reality of the times during the
industrialization and in the times forward), he would want his audience (and to the government) of
what the governments roles are: to lead the citizens to the truth and intervene in the moments of
greed between capitalists and the consumers. They must not also act like the capitalists but must
remind and lead the citizens of the need of balance. Thus, this will make the citizens and the
capitalists be reminded that businessproducing and consuming are not bad things (in fact they
should make everyone better off)but the lack of prudence, hencethe excess and greed are the
deterrents to the realization of responsibility to one self.
Placing it in context to our world now: if we adhere to this Truth prompted by the Catholic
Church, the adherence to the proper calling of the families, the initiated dialogue and action
(initiative) and prudence of consumption among the individuals, the prudence of international and
local public policy by the government, and the prudence of the producers to look at meeting the
demands and the sustainability of the resourceswe can all indeed achieve that holistic responsibility

2 ibid
3 ibid
4 ibid

towards the environment; hence, elevating the usual commercial propaganda of just planting, just
turning off lights, justjust but all the morenow to start with our own self-realization.