This next entry is somewhat ironic, because Pooh is a great example of everything a Campbellian hero is not. He ignores the call to action that is growing up, forever stuck in the Hundred Acre Woods of our innocence, while the rest of the world moves on. Luckily for me, this is not an English assignment and I can say that Pooh is a hero. I never really liked reading Joseph Campbell anyway.
Currently Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne sits at the edge of my bookshelf, right next to my computer. I admit that this wasn’t my book until I stole it out of Sophie’s empty room earlier this year, but reading it again brought back great memories that I had of the show, which I remember watching frequently. Pooh, like Alex, serves as a testament to the fact while we do have to grow up, our entire future is waiting for us, there will always be some part of our childhood waiting for us to come back home. Just as Christopher Robin returns to the Hundred Acres Woods, filled with the wisdom and worldliness needed to solve Pooh’s problems, Christopher is still ultimately a part of that world. He can still visit his childhood imaginings even though he is growing up. In this way Pooh acts as Christopher Robin’s connection to his childhood, and saves him from losing his innocence forever. Pooh gives me hope that I can step into the future, grown up and unafraid, yet still have a connection to who I once was.
Illustration by Ernest H Shepard
Comments
Sue, you know I haven't not read "The Te of Piglet". I will put that one on my list. thanks!
Have you ever read the Tao of Pooh?
This is great! I love Pooh :)
I love this post jido Valerie! simply love it.