Yellow things are everywhere in the world of Horton Hears a Who; yellow flowers, yellow birds, and most famously, the speck of dust that is home to the microscopic Whos.
The color yellow is central to the tale of Horton and his mission to save the Whos. Yellow is often seen as a happy, cheerful color and this is true in the world of Horton. The bright yellow flowers that surround the speck of dust which is home to the Whos represent a sort of cheerfulness and hope, symbolizing that despite the fact that the Whos are so small and the world around them is so big, there is still a sense of joy to be found in the world.
The yellow birds in the story are portrayed as sources of laughter and companions for Horton, bringing more happiness and joy to the story. Furthermore, the yellow birds provide Horton with the company and support he needs on his mission to protect the Whos from danger. The birds even come to the rescue at one point, scaring away the animal adversaries of the Whos.
However, yellow also represents danger for the Whos. The yellow cat, for example, serves as a symbol of the danger that Horton and the Whos face due to their small size. The yellow cat is the ultimate enemy, representing all of the dangers and perils of being so small and the need for Horton to protect the Whos from harm.
The most famous example of the color yellow in the world of Horton is, of course, the speck of dust which is home to the Whos. Throughout the story, the speck of dust serves as a reminder of the beauty, fragility, and resilience of the Whos, even in the face of danger and potentially unimaginable odds.
Ultimately, the color yellow in the world of Horton Hears a Who represents both the joy and beauty of life, as well as the danger and peril that comes along with it. Through his mission to protect the Whos, Horton is able to show the importance of remaining steadfast, courageous, and hopeful despite the odds. Yellow serves as a reminder of all of these things, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that it’s such a cheerful and optimistic color.