Yet the other character, the ham-refuser, is never named in the book. “Sam I am,” reads the sign he holds up as he rides past, again, on another unidentifiable Seussian quadruped, in the other direction. “I am Sam,” reads the sign that the little creature holds up as he rides past the irritated protagonist on an unidentifiable Seussian quadruped. It opens with that drive-by self-announcement. But the business of names in the book is so odd. Naturally, my name being what it is, my parents Sam-I-Ammed me enthusiastically. You will see.” And, lo, he having finally submitted – batter my heart, three-personed ham? – the waters subside and our protagonists walk to the top of the mountain in harmony. And heading for crisis and resolution: a multi-vehicle catastrophe, a sinking ship, and the prospect of death by water – in the face of which the old grump-pot, bobbing about like Ishmael at the end of Moby-Dick, finally submits to try the green eggs and ham. Then, whoosh, we’re out of the tunnel and back to the would-you-could-yous. ‘Would you, could you, in the dark?’ Photograph: TM & © Dr Seuss Enterprises, L.P.
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