Winnie The Pooh Symbolism

Although children’s books are typically written lightheartedly to appeal to a younger audience, the themes that encompass them can be much more powerful. A. A Milne’s well known novel, Winnie-the-Pooh, demonstrates a theme that transcends beyond the childlike structure of which it is written. Milne communicates to his readers that everyone grows up, but it’s up to each individual to make the most out of each day of their childhood. Through the use of symbolism and imagery, Milne enhances this theme and helps children relate to each of the characters and their experiences. One of the significant symbols used throughout the novel is a honey pot. Milne uses this symbol to represent happiness that comes from imagination. For Pooh, the pot brings
Milne uses visual imagery to enhance this symbol. For example, he includes a picture drawn by Ernest Shepard of Owl’s entrance to his home that features Eeyore’s tail as a bell rope. When Eeyore loses his tail in the fourth chapter, Pooh ponders to himself about the bell rope he sees on Owl’s door: “…the more he looked at the bell-rope, the more he felt that he had seen something like it, somewhere else, sometime before” (Ch. 4). This comparison of the bell rope and Eeyore’s tail captures the childlike mindset that is full of imagination. In doing this, Milne helps his audience of young readers get a better picture of what the tail looks like. In addition, this imagery helps show what the tail might be as a symbol. Because characters mistake the tail for other objects, and Eeyore constantly loses it, Milne may be trying to use it as a symbol for identity. All of the other animals play a role in helping him find a happier version of himself. Pooh, for example, helps cheer up Eeyore by helping him find his tail and giving him a gift for his birthday. Likewise, Piglet helps cheer up Eeyore by giving him a balloon. In the beginning, Milne portrays Eeyore as a character that is obviously unhappy and full of self-pity: “‘…But nobody minds. Nobody cares. Pathetic, that's what it is’” (Ch. 6). However, as the novel goes on, he ends up trying to be helpful in the ninth chapter by sticking his tail in the water for Roo to grab on to. Although Roo does not use Eeyore’s tail, the incident shows that Eeyore is growing up and learning to help others instead of just moping around. Furthermore, Milne communicates to his audience through Eeyore’s experiences that life is not always happy and easy, but friendship can help people make the most out their childhood. Without the help of Pooh and the other characters, Eeyore wouldn’t have been able to find his identity and grow up. Thus, the symbol of Eeyore’s tail