How's Tricks?
I was grading away when I came upon this little gem. It's so good I had to show it to all of you. It's by Elizabeth Anderson, one of my AP Lit students. Enjoy.
"Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids." This common phrase has haunted the minds of furry, white herbivores for decades. This long eared animal has risked life and limb to rescue the sweet fruit divine of Tricks cereal, however, he is stopped in his pursuit. The white rabbit's pursuit may go beyond his lust for fruity flavored cornmeal. His quest may, symbolize a greater movement in the world towards equality and freedom.
The white rabbit of Trix cereal was first created in 1959. The cereal's commercial opened with a rabbit saying," I have a problem. I'm a rabbit and rabbits are supposed to love carrots, but uh what I love is Trix." The rabbit does not try to steal the cereal from the children in this entertaining commercial. He simply talks about Trix, he jumps with joy when he thinks about the cereal's "raspberry red, lemony yellow, and orangey orange." Though it is clear he does not desire carrots like a good rabbit should, he is not aggressive in his pursuit of the Trix. But the question remains: has this rabbit tasted the Trix these children hoard?
The rabbit is common symbol of fertility. The while rabbit is often associated with purity. It is said that a female white rabbit could conceive without the necessity of male rabbit. This presents itself with an opportunity for homosexual relationships because heterosexual relationships are not needed to reproduce. The rabbit can have sexual relations with whom he or she pleases.
Hares were also associated with the Greek goddess Artemis. She was the
goddess of hunting. The sole goal of the Trix rabbit is to attain the fruity cereal. In order to do this he hunts. He sneaks around and camouflages himself, hoping to capture the prey he so desires. The term "fruit" is a common slang term for homosexuals. The rabbit is trying to attain a male partner. On a broader level he is trying to gain sexual freedom.
The rabbit is confined by society's regulations of what a rabbit should want. Society tells him that rabbits love carrots and this is why he believes he has a problem; he does not love carrots. An interesting fact is that the rabbit desires to eat the fruity flavors of Trix, but these Trix are in fact made out of a vegetable: corn. Corn is a common rabbit food, and though the rabbit believes he is in a dilemma because he does not like carrots; he actually is quite normal for the food he seeks is corn. He even acknowledges that the fruity bits are made out of com, but he becomes increasingly joyful as he talks about the fruit flavoring and fruit color. There is nothing wrong with him wanting to eat Trix; it is technically still a vegetable, but society (the children) tell him he cannot. This draws a further parallel between the innate right for a person to prefer whichever food (partner) they desire, because they are all vegetables (people: men and women).
In the original commercial the rabbit does not pursue the Trix cereal. He sees and
desires, but he does not touch. He is a rabbit, and thus Trix are forbidden. This would
describe the sexual atmosphere of the late fifties. People of the same sex could not like
each other because they were characterized as liking people of the opposite sex (like a
rabbit that is characterized by liking carrots).
As time goes on the rabbit becomes more aggressive in his pursuit of the Trix
(sexual freedom). He starts to pursue the cereal. He disguises himself, and hopes to stay incognito (in the closet) but still be able to satisfy his appetite. The gay liberation movement increased throughout the 1960s, and the rabbit became more intent on acquiring his Tricks. The original view of women in Trix's commercial was extremely sexist. The little girl in the commercial uttered, “When I grow up I’m gonna have a whole house full of Trix.” This implied that women belonged in the house; it was her domain. The little girl did not say that when she grew up she wanted to get a job so she could get Trix. She said that she was going to have a house full of them. This plays off of the common assumption that women should want a house full of kids. The dialogue of the girl in the commercial sent overt messages to the girls at the time. They should want to become homemakers so they can have homes full of Trix cereal.
In order to be politically correct the cereal company changed the view of women in their commercials. Girls became equal with boys as they played sports in the commercial or interacted socially with their companion of the opposite sex. Though it would seem that the commercial changed to fit the political correctness of society, the commercial also innately bore some of the messages that a women has a right to her body.
At the time doctor's used rabbits for pregnancy tests. A woman's urine was
injected into the rabbit. If the woman were pregnant, the rabbit's ovaries would enlarge.
They had to kill and dissect the rabbit in order to see the ovaries and find out if the
woman was pregnant. Either way the rabbit dies, but it was done to see if the woman
would bear "fruit" and produce a child. In doing this, the rabbit's own reproductive
system was abused and its life was taken from it. It was a nice "trick" to see if the fruit of a relationship would bring forth a kid.
The parent company for Trix cereal, General Mills, donated tens of thousands of
dollars to Planned Parenthood. They donated to help increase the rights of women over their bodies. The rabbit originally helped a woman discover if she was pregnant. By donating to Planned Parenthood, General Mills furthered the pregnancy-test purpose of the rabbit. It helped them past the first stage of discovering the pregnancy and gave them the ability to terminate that pregnancy or use contraception to prevent the pregnancy entirely. The white rabbit could also, be a reference to the playboy rabbit; and a woman’s right to exploit her body in the entertainment business.
Another connotation for the plight of the white rabbit would be the African American civil rights movement. The rabbit constantly seeks the colorful Trix, but he never truly attains them. He tries a variety of maneuvers, but he is unable to grasp all the colored cereal united harmoniously in one bowl. This could be a reference to the civil rights movement.
In the commercial the rabbit sadly replied that he could eat Trix after school if he went to school. The education comment in the commercial was simply to support children going to school, but may have also been to further encourage the acceptance of, desegregation in schools by showing the desire of an outsider, t he rabbit, to attend school. It induced compassion and a willingness to give the rabbit and others an education common with white, male boys who ate Trix. Though it would seem
to deny the rabbit the cereal, it would have increased the tendencies in children to be mean and selfish especially in a pre-existing culture where there was a strong tendency to view African Americans differently from Whites. This could be why the rabbit was white. The
children witness cruelty at the hand of their peers (the children in the commercial), but it
was to a white rabbit - something they were all familiar with and would probably love. If
the rabbit had been black, it might have a drawn a stark parallel with the notions like "I
can't drink from this water fountain because this water is for whites." Because the rabbit was a white, they felt more of connection to it and felt more compassionate towards it. The cereal company may have instigated this in hopes that the children would be compassionate to everyone who was being withheld their rights of something
In 1974 children were allowed to vote to see if the rabbit would attain the Trix cereal. The vote was counted with 99% of the children allowing for him to partake of the splendid cereal. The rabbit actually succeeded in acquiring his bowl of harmonious colors, however; when he asked for another bowl, he was tauntingly laughed at and told to wait for next year’s elections. It also has a forbidding message to wait till the next election. The rabbit produced the sympathy of the thousands of children who voted for him to have the Trix cereal. They saw that they could make a difference through voting. They also were given opportunity to be compassionate to the rabbit, and see how their voting influences the opportunities of others, the civil rights of others. They learn that they can change the world and bring happiness to others through their vote. The declaration that the rabbit would have to wait for the next election to acquire another bowl of cereal was meant to shock the children and further implement the effect government and their voting has on people.
Their voting power is further encouraged to go against the social trends of society. The children of Trix cereal are never kind to the rabbit. They never give him any cereal. The children in the first commercial were even quite rude to the rabbit as he mournfully look on at them eat. It is obvious that the cereal company succeeded in fostering compassion for this rabbit despite the rabbit's treatment their consumers witnessed. They choose to give him cereal. It is the hope that this compassion carries over to the world outside the breakfast table where they have to make personal decisions to have compassion for others even if other people do not share in their compassion.
The common phrase: "Trix are for kids” would refer to the success of future generations in attaining a society full of civil rights and liberties for homosexuals, African Americans, and women. Though the rabbit is momentarily unable to get the cereal, the Trix lie in the children’s hands and they always have the option to bestow on him a right to eat. The children always have the Trix in each commercial and they always have the power to give that Trix cereal away as We saw in the Trix cereal campaign. As the rights of others continually increase the rabbit's left with nothing, but his pursuit increases and intensifies. This continues to encourage their small consumers to have compassion and understanding towards the plight of others. “Trix are for kids” because they are the ones who will attain "fruity" society where homosexuality is not looked down upon. They will live in a world where people of all different colors live I
harmoniously in one bowl and where women are equal with men.
The plight of the white rabbit has captivated children, cereal consumers, and
television watchers for decades. The rabbit has become more aggressive and clever in
the pursuit of the Trix, and in society we give him what he desires. We have come to the conclusion that the rabbit does not have to love carrots, he can love whatever food he desires. We have been shown that colors can live harmoniously in one bowl together, and that men and women are equal. To confirm that we agree with these matters we have consumed their cereal for over forty years. we even voted for the cereal and from the view of the cereal. Though it would seem impossible for a rabbit to influence us, our society has changed as younger generations, vote for more rights and the issues of the fifties and sixties (gay liberation; racial equality) become things we look back on as silly and hare- brained. We have and will continue to change because “Trix are for kids.”
Works Cited and Consulted
"Commercial." Internet: http://www.tvparty.com/vaultcomsat.html
"Gay Liberation Movement." Internet. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_tov/ai_2419100495
“Planned Parenthood." Internet. http://www.dianedew.com/genmills.htm
"Rabbits.” Internet. http://www.endicott-studio.com/rdrm/rrRabbits.html
“Rabbit Test." Internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_Test
"Trix Cereal” Internet: http://www.tvparty.com/vaultcomsat.html
“Trix Cereal." Internet: http://www.lavasurfer.com/cereal-generalmills2.html
"Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids." This common phrase has haunted the minds of furry, white herbivores for decades. This long eared animal has risked life and limb to rescue the sweet fruit divine of Tricks cereal, however, he is stopped in his pursuit. The white rabbit's pursuit may go beyond his lust for fruity flavored cornmeal. His quest may, symbolize a greater movement in the world towards equality and freedom.
The white rabbit of Trix cereal was first created in 1959. The cereal's commercial opened with a rabbit saying," I have a problem. I'm a rabbit and rabbits are supposed to love carrots, but uh what I love is Trix." The rabbit does not try to steal the cereal from the children in this entertaining commercial. He simply talks about Trix, he jumps with joy when he thinks about the cereal's "raspberry red, lemony yellow, and orangey orange." Though it is clear he does not desire carrots like a good rabbit should, he is not aggressive in his pursuit of the Trix. But the question remains: has this rabbit tasted the Trix these children hoard?
The rabbit is common symbol of fertility. The while rabbit is often associated with purity. It is said that a female white rabbit could conceive without the necessity of male rabbit. This presents itself with an opportunity for homosexual relationships because heterosexual relationships are not needed to reproduce. The rabbit can have sexual relations with whom he or she pleases.
Hares were also associated with the Greek goddess Artemis. She was the
goddess of hunting. The sole goal of the Trix rabbit is to attain the fruity cereal. In order to do this he hunts. He sneaks around and camouflages himself, hoping to capture the prey he so desires. The term "fruit" is a common slang term for homosexuals. The rabbit is trying to attain a male partner. On a broader level he is trying to gain sexual freedom.
The rabbit is confined by society's regulations of what a rabbit should want. Society tells him that rabbits love carrots and this is why he believes he has a problem; he does not love carrots. An interesting fact is that the rabbit desires to eat the fruity flavors of Trix, but these Trix are in fact made out of a vegetable: corn. Corn is a common rabbit food, and though the rabbit believes he is in a dilemma because he does not like carrots; he actually is quite normal for the food he seeks is corn. He even acknowledges that the fruity bits are made out of com, but he becomes increasingly joyful as he talks about the fruit flavoring and fruit color. There is nothing wrong with him wanting to eat Trix; it is technically still a vegetable, but society (the children) tell him he cannot. This draws a further parallel between the innate right for a person to prefer whichever food (partner) they desire, because they are all vegetables (people: men and women).
In the original commercial the rabbit does not pursue the Trix cereal. He sees and
desires, but he does not touch. He is a rabbit, and thus Trix are forbidden. This would
describe the sexual atmosphere of the late fifties. People of the same sex could not like
each other because they were characterized as liking people of the opposite sex (like a
rabbit that is characterized by liking carrots).
As time goes on the rabbit becomes more aggressive in his pursuit of the Trix
(sexual freedom). He starts to pursue the cereal. He disguises himself, and hopes to stay incognito (in the closet) but still be able to satisfy his appetite. The gay liberation movement increased throughout the 1960s, and the rabbit became more intent on acquiring his Tricks. The original view of women in Trix's commercial was extremely sexist. The little girl in the commercial uttered, “When I grow up I’m gonna have a whole house full of Trix.” This implied that women belonged in the house; it was her domain. The little girl did not say that when she grew up she wanted to get a job so she could get Trix. She said that she was going to have a house full of them. This plays off of the common assumption that women should want a house full of kids. The dialogue of the girl in the commercial sent overt messages to the girls at the time. They should want to become homemakers so they can have homes full of Trix cereal.
In order to be politically correct the cereal company changed the view of women in their commercials. Girls became equal with boys as they played sports in the commercial or interacted socially with their companion of the opposite sex. Though it would seem that the commercial changed to fit the political correctness of society, the commercial also innately bore some of the messages that a women has a right to her body.
At the time doctor's used rabbits for pregnancy tests. A woman's urine was
injected into the rabbit. If the woman were pregnant, the rabbit's ovaries would enlarge.
They had to kill and dissect the rabbit in order to see the ovaries and find out if the
woman was pregnant. Either way the rabbit dies, but it was done to see if the woman
would bear "fruit" and produce a child. In doing this, the rabbit's own reproductive
system was abused and its life was taken from it. It was a nice "trick" to see if the fruit of a relationship would bring forth a kid.
The parent company for Trix cereal, General Mills, donated tens of thousands of
dollars to Planned Parenthood. They donated to help increase the rights of women over their bodies. The rabbit originally helped a woman discover if she was pregnant. By donating to Planned Parenthood, General Mills furthered the pregnancy-test purpose of the rabbit. It helped them past the first stage of discovering the pregnancy and gave them the ability to terminate that pregnancy or use contraception to prevent the pregnancy entirely. The white rabbit could also, be a reference to the playboy rabbit; and a woman’s right to exploit her body in the entertainment business.
Another connotation for the plight of the white rabbit would be the African American civil rights movement. The rabbit constantly seeks the colorful Trix, but he never truly attains them. He tries a variety of maneuvers, but he is unable to grasp all the colored cereal united harmoniously in one bowl. This could be a reference to the civil rights movement.
In the commercial the rabbit sadly replied that he could eat Trix after school if he went to school. The education comment in the commercial was simply to support children going to school, but may have also been to further encourage the acceptance of, desegregation in schools by showing the desire of an outsider, t he rabbit, to attend school. It induced compassion and a willingness to give the rabbit and others an education common with white, male boys who ate Trix. Though it would seem
to deny the rabbit the cereal, it would have increased the tendencies in children to be mean and selfish especially in a pre-existing culture where there was a strong tendency to view African Americans differently from Whites. This could be why the rabbit was white. The
children witness cruelty at the hand of their peers (the children in the commercial), but it
was to a white rabbit - something they were all familiar with and would probably love. If
the rabbit had been black, it might have a drawn a stark parallel with the notions like "I
can't drink from this water fountain because this water is for whites." Because the rabbit was a white, they felt more of connection to it and felt more compassionate towards it. The cereal company may have instigated this in hopes that the children would be compassionate to everyone who was being withheld their rights of something
In 1974 children were allowed to vote to see if the rabbit would attain the Trix cereal. The vote was counted with 99% of the children allowing for him to partake of the splendid cereal. The rabbit actually succeeded in acquiring his bowl of harmonious colors, however; when he asked for another bowl, he was tauntingly laughed at and told to wait for next year’s elections. It also has a forbidding message to wait till the next election. The rabbit produced the sympathy of the thousands of children who voted for him to have the Trix cereal. They saw that they could make a difference through voting. They also were given opportunity to be compassionate to the rabbit, and see how their voting influences the opportunities of others, the civil rights of others. They learn that they can change the world and bring happiness to others through their vote. The declaration that the rabbit would have to wait for the next election to acquire another bowl of cereal was meant to shock the children and further implement the effect government and their voting has on people.
Their voting power is further encouraged to go against the social trends of society. The children of Trix cereal are never kind to the rabbit. They never give him any cereal. The children in the first commercial were even quite rude to the rabbit as he mournfully look on at them eat. It is obvious that the cereal company succeeded in fostering compassion for this rabbit despite the rabbit's treatment their consumers witnessed. They choose to give him cereal. It is the hope that this compassion carries over to the world outside the breakfast table where they have to make personal decisions to have compassion for others even if other people do not share in their compassion.
The common phrase: "Trix are for kids” would refer to the success of future generations in attaining a society full of civil rights and liberties for homosexuals, African Americans, and women. Though the rabbit is momentarily unable to get the cereal, the Trix lie in the children’s hands and they always have the option to bestow on him a right to eat. The children always have the Trix in each commercial and they always have the power to give that Trix cereal away as We saw in the Trix cereal campaign. As the rights of others continually increase the rabbit's left with nothing, but his pursuit increases and intensifies. This continues to encourage their small consumers to have compassion and understanding towards the plight of others. “Trix are for kids” because they are the ones who will attain "fruity" society where homosexuality is not looked down upon. They will live in a world where people of all different colors live I
harmoniously in one bowl and where women are equal with men.
The plight of the white rabbit has captivated children, cereal consumers, and
television watchers for decades. The rabbit has become more aggressive and clever in
the pursuit of the Trix, and in society we give him what he desires. We have come to the conclusion that the rabbit does not have to love carrots, he can love whatever food he desires. We have been shown that colors can live harmoniously in one bowl together, and that men and women are equal. To confirm that we agree with these matters we have consumed their cereal for over forty years. we even voted for the cereal and from the view of the cereal. Though it would seem impossible for a rabbit to influence us, our society has changed as younger generations, vote for more rights and the issues of the fifties and sixties (gay liberation; racial equality) become things we look back on as silly and hare- brained. We have and will continue to change because “Trix are for kids.”
Works Cited and Consulted
"Commercial." Internet: http://www.tvparty.com/vaultcomsat.html
"Gay Liberation Movement." Internet. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_tov/ai_2419100495
“Planned Parenthood." Internet. http://www.dianedew.com/genmills.htm
"Rabbits.” Internet. http://www.endicott-studio.com/rdrm/rrRabbits.html
“Rabbit Test." Internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_Test
"Trix Cereal” Internet: http://www.tvparty.com/vaultcomsat.html
“Trix Cereal." Internet: http://www.lavasurfer.com/cereal-generalmills2.html