McSweeney's imagines the SparkNotes version of Goodnight Moon:
Themes
Materialism in American Culture — Post-WWII economic boom figures heavily in Brown's sharp critique of our newfound prosperity. A careful Marxist examination might suggest a strong anti-capitalist sentiment. She carefully chooses to set the story in a "green room." While surely the overly materialized room of the bunny excites and overwhelms his senses and severs his relationships, Brown finds fault more in our inability to extricate ourselves from the clutches of capitalism—(think Thoreau)—then in the systemic trappings of the American economic system. [See note on Red Balloon.] However, the title of the book put in the context of the impending space race gives credence to Brown's polemic warning that we—perhaps both Russians and Americans—should say "goodnight moon" and focus our attention on rebuilding relationships.
[from McSweeney's, image from HarperCollins]
ThemesMaterialism in American Culture — Post-WWII economic boom figures heavily in Brown's sharp critique of our newfound prosperity. A careful Marxist examination might suggest a strong anti-capitalist sentiment. She carefully chooses to set the story in a "green room." While surely the overly materialized room of the bunny excites and overwhelms his senses and severs his relationships, Brown finds fault more in our inability to extricate ourselves from the clutches of capitalism—(think Thoreau)—then in the systemic trappings of the American economic system. [See note on Red Balloon.] However, the title of the book put in the context of the impending space race gives credence to Brown's polemic warning that we—perhaps both Russians and Americans—should say "goodnight moon" and focus our attention on rebuilding relationships.
Search for the Masculine Self —As in many other bildungsromans, i.e. The Catcher in the Rye and A Separate Peace, Brown adopts the voice of a young male protagonist trying to find himself. While lacking the acerbic wit of Holden Caulfield and the taut homoeroticism of Finny and Gene, the young bunny's voice is, at the same time, quite powerful. He is dismissive of the world. His complete nihilism and rejection of his parents are ripe precursors to the era to come (1950s).Get the rest of the themes, symbols, and analysis associated with this great American work of by following the link below.
[from McSweeney's, image from HarperCollins]
