This document provides an overview of Sigmund Freud's theory of personality comprising the id, ego, and superego. It also discusses the children's book The Cat in the Hat and how the characters could represent different parts of Freud's theory. Students are assigned to analyze which characters exemplify the id, ego, or superego based on passages from the book. References are provided for further information on Freud and Dr. Seuss.

1. November 2, 2010

2.  By the end of this class you should be able to
identify what characters identify with the
different parts of Freud’s theory of
personality

3.  This activity will help you to understand the
reasoning behind why the authors create the
characters they do in the novels, stories that
you read.

4.  His real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel. Was born on
March 2, 1904.
 He attended Darmouth College but never did get his
doctorate which he placed in front of his name in all
his books
 He has written many children’s books in his life, The
Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, One Fish, Two
Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.
 There have been Dr. Seuss books which have came
out on video like: How the Grinch Stole Christmas,
Horton Hears a Who, The Cat in the Hat.
 He died in 1991, but he still lives on through his
books and after his death they have published 4
books which have been created from his notes, or
uncompleted projects which other adapted for him.

6.  He was born May 6, 1856 in Czech Republic
and died on Sept 23, 1939 at the age of 83.
 Sigmund is an Austrian neuropsychologist,
and is one of the major intellectual figures of
the 20th century
 He is known as the founder of psychoanalysis
 Other theories that Freud is known for are
 Freud was interested in the unconscious mind
including interpretations of dreams as well as
the relation between the conscious and
unconscious mind (Id Ego and Superego)

8. Definition Word Diagram
Example
Three Point Approach

9.  The Id, Ego and Superego is part of the
Freudian theory of personality

10.  The id is the impulsive, child-like portion of
the psyche that operates on the "pleasure
principle" and only takes into account what it
wants and disregards all consequences.
 Id is the instinctual
 For example– a baby that cries because it is
hungry—it wants it now no questions asked.

11.  Ego is the part of our personality that recognizes that our
behaviors have consequences. The Ego is the balance
between the Id and the Super ego. Ego controls the mental
process of reasoning and problem solving to satisfy both the
Id and Super ego. This is represented by a person having an
angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other.

12.  Superego is the part that represents the
moral part of personality. This part dictates
our beliefs of right and wrong and could be
represented by the angel sitting on
someone’s shoulder

13.  Read Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat and
analyze the character according to Sigmund
Freud’s theory on the id, ego and superego.
 In a paragraph or two write about which of
the characters are Id, Ego or Superego and
find support from the book.
 Make sure to quote what passages you took
from the book and what pages they are from.

14.  The Cat in the Hat cd
 Three-Point Approach worksheet
 Word map layout
 Assignment contract

15.  Akin, David. “The Cat in the Hat: Slightly Revised for the Times.” December 2008. Retrieved October 21, 2010
from: http://davidakin.blogware.com/200812191401.jpg
 Chris. December 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2010 from: http://upstartcrowliterary.com/blog/wp-
content/uploads/2009/12/seuss_cat_in_the_hat_fish_sticker.gif
 “Day 490: Cat in the hat.” December 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2010 from:
http://gooddeedaday.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/cat_in_the_hat.jpg
 Donahue, Allan. “Information on Dr Seuss.” Retrieved October 21, 2010 from:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_4866644_information-dr-seuss.html
 “Erupting Mind Self Improvement Tips.” Retrieved October 21, 2010 from:
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff177/salviaforme/album3/freuperthero32e4.jpg
 “Examining Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory in Relations to Vocational Choice and Its Implications to
Counselling.” Retrieved October 21, 2010 from: http://www.freud-sigmund.com/wp-
content/uploads/2009/10/freud.jpeg
 “Freud’s Personality Factors.” Retrieved October 21, 2010 from:
http://changingminds.org/explanations/personality/freud_personality.htm
 Retrieved October 22, 2010 from: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3286599061_3b34f48ab1.jpg
 Scrape TV. Retrieved October 22, 2010 from:
http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Technology/images/pinocchio-and-jiminy-cricket.jpg
 “Sigmund Freud.” Retrieved October 21, 2010 from: http://www.answers.com/topic/sigmund-freud
 “When did Dr. Seuss Win the Pulitzer Prize?” Retrieved October 21, 2010 from: http://mattoneal.com/wp-
content/uploads/2009/02/dr-seuss.jpg
 Wright, Junuis. “Id, Ego, and Superego in Dr. Suess’s The Cat in the Hat.” Retrieved October 21, 2010 from:
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/superego-seuss-800.html?tab=1#tabs