Question Authority: Children's Edition

“Hats off to the King!” – The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

Since medieval times, hats have separated mankind by caste.  While nobility wore extravagant headdresses of feathers and gems, knights wore helmets, and peasants generally wore simple flat caps.  Each was a sign of the social hierarchy of the day.  As time went on, hats expanded to include professional designations and personal preferences.

The practice of tipping one’s hat became a way to acknowledge and greet friends and acquaintances along the way, while refusing to remove a hat indoors, during religious services, and formal ceremonies became a faux pas in Western society. 

In his 1938 book, “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins”, children’s author Dr. Seuss tells the story of a hatted peasant who crossed paths with a king and became a victim of bad manners that nearly cost him his life.  A hat collector himself, Dr. Seuss spins the tale of how a peasant's meager hat becomes an elaborate crown, stroking the desires of the wealthy ruler. 

This kingdom, too, was defined by class, from the palaces, castles, and mansions, all the way down to houses and huts.  Bartholomew, of course, was a peasant who left home from his hut one morning to sell his family's wares at the market.  Along the way, the king’s procession would meet up with Bartholomew, who tried, but could not remove his hat, without another one popping up into place upon his head. 

Bartholomew’s inability to remove his hat violated the law, which required him to do so in the king's presence.  In an attempt to force his devotion, the king tried many remedies, including a bow and arrow, black magic, an executioner (who wasn’t allowed to chop off a hatted head), and threats of a fall from the highest turret.  All failed. 

Although the king was known for his abuse of power and unjust treatment of his subjects, Bartholomew was initially unafraid, knowing he was innocent of any crime.  While it might be customary to remove one’s hat in certain situations, creating a law to do so goes too far.  For if the authority figure cannot enforce the law, the law becomes pointless.  In fact, such weak laws expose the limits of authority, showing that where there are no teeth, there is no danger.  Instead, the king is outed as a paper tiger. 

On the other hand, customs and mores are widely accepted social norms that people become conditioned to follow over time and are voluntarily upheld.  While both customs and laws facilitate behavior, control by customs is always preferable to the strict enforcement of laws.

The slogan “Question Authority” originated in the late 1970s, following the end of the Vietnam War, and was popular among anti-government activists who sought to encourage the nation to be skeptical of official narratives.  Authority thrives only when obedience follows, when citizens fear its power. 

Authoritarianism is a system of force and conformity that uses hostility against dissenters.  Since one can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, the uncoerced approach will always yield the best results.