Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!
Encyclopedia
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! (ISBN 0-394-82490-3) is a children's book by Dr. Seuss
. Written as a book for early beginning readers, it is suitable for children who can not yet read at the level of more advanced beginning books such as The Cat in the Hat
. The book presents in short and funny fashion, Dr. Seuss's nonsensical words, rhymes, and illustrations. The gist of the book is that Marvin K. Mooney -- ostensibly a young child whose bedtime has come -- is asked to Go in many ways.
However, two years later, when Seuss was challenged by political columnist Art Buchwald
for never having written a political book, Seuss took a copy of the book and crossed out "Marvin K. Mooney" and wrote in "Richard M. Nixon
." Buchwald was so delighted that with Seuss's consent he printed the text as his column for July 30, 1974. Nixon resigned ten days later on August 9th.
Some of Seuss's other work contained narrative close to that of other political situations of the time. For instance, The Butter Battle Book
is an allegory
for the Cold War
.
In Maureen Dowd
's column for the New York Times, 'Wilting Over Waffles,' dated April 23, 2008, she suggests that Democrats in the 2008 presidential election might take a cue from this book in their approach to Hillary Clinton's prolonged campaign against Barack Obama
, asking her to 'Just go. I don't care how.'
Even more recently, MEP Daniel Hannan
quoted the book in reference to Gordon Brown
after the 2009 EU elections.
During the protests that led to the 2011 Egyptian Revolution
, various parody versions of the book appeared on the Internet as "Hosni Mubarak
Will You Please Go Now".
Dr. Seuss
Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....
. Written as a book for early beginning readers, it is suitable for children who can not yet read at the level of more advanced beginning books such as The Cat in the Hat
The Cat in the Hat
The Cat in the Hat is a children's book by Dr. Seuss and perhaps the most famous, featuring a tall, anthropomorphic, mischievous cat, wearing a tall, red and white-striped hat and a red bow tie. He also carries a pale blue umbrella...
. The book presents in short and funny fashion, Dr. Seuss's nonsensical words, rhymes, and illustrations. The gist of the book is that Marvin K. Mooney -- ostensibly a young child whose bedtime has come -- is asked to Go in many ways.
However, two years later, when Seuss was challenged by political columnist Art Buchwald
Art Buchwald
Arthur Buchwald was an American humorist best known for his long-running column in The Washington Post, which in turn was carried as a syndicated column in many other newspapers. His column focused on political satire and commentary...
for never having written a political book, Seuss took a copy of the book and crossed out "Marvin K. Mooney" and wrote in "Richard M. Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
." Buchwald was so delighted that with Seuss's consent he printed the text as his column for July 30, 1974. Nixon resigned ten days later on August 9th.
Some of Seuss's other work contained narrative close to that of other political situations of the time. For instance, The Butter Battle Book
The Butter Battle Book
The Butter Battle Book is a rhyming story written by Dr. Seuss. It was published by Random House Books for Young Readers on January 12, 1984. It is an anti-war story; specifically, a parable about arms races in general, mutually assured destruction and nuclear weapons in particular...
is an allegory
Allegory
Allegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
for the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
In Maureen Dowd
Maureen Dowd
Maureen Bridgid Dowd is a Washington D.C.-based columnist for The New York Times and best-selling author. During the 1970s and the early 1980s, she worked for Time magazine and the Washington Star, where she covered news as well as sports and wrote feature articles...
's column for the New York Times, 'Wilting Over Waffles,' dated April 23, 2008, she suggests that Democrats in the 2008 presidential election might take a cue from this book in their approach to Hillary Clinton's prolonged campaign against Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, asking her to 'Just go. I don't care how.'
Even more recently, MEP Daniel Hannan
Daniel Hannan
Daniel John Hannan is a British journalist, author and politician who is currently a Member of the European Parliament, representing South East England for the Conservative Party and the European Conservatives and Reformists political group...
quoted the book in reference to Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
after the 2009 EU elections.
During the protests that led to the 2011 Egyptian Revolution
2011 Egyptian revolution
The 2011 Egyptian revolution took place following a popular uprising that began on Tuesday, 25 January 2011 and is still continuing as of November 2011. The uprising was mainly a campaign of non-violent civil resistance, which featured a series of demonstrations, marches, acts of civil...
, various parody versions of the book appeared on the Internet as "Hosni Mubarak
Hosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak is a former Egyptian politician and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt from 1981 to 2011....
Will You Please Go Now".