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Construction of the Child through Character in Milne's Winnie the Pooh

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In this book there are who different characters of Christopher Robin (CR). There is, in one realm of narration, CR the listener of the story and in another, there is CR the character in the story. These two characters are quite different. CR, the child over whom the narrator can exercise adult authority is shy, listens to stories, takes baths and plays with toys while the CR the character is the main authority, goes to parties, expeditions and heroic rescue missions.

CR the character seems to possess similar characteristics of the adult narrator. The adult narrator is not only the symbol of authority but is also nurturing. With reference to authority characteristics, the adult narrator has the power to begin and end the story and …show more content…

When Pooh's head is stuck in the vase CR laughs at first before helping him out. These mistakes as well as the spelling errors are seen only by the adult reader just as CR can see the amusing errors of the animals. These mistakes may suggests the adult view of childhood where children make foolish and amusing mistakes from which they will eventually learn. By appointing this position of authority to CR the character suggests that the narrator not only appeals to CR the listener and other listeners but also gives them a character to strive to be like. This then leads to another characteristic of CR the character as nurturing as something that listeners could strive to be like.

Just as the adult narrator is concerned about CR the listener's sensitive emotions and vulnerability, CR the character also shows sensitivity to the animals' emotions. CR is described by the narrator as one of the `nicest people'. He is an emotional, warm and loving child as he `rushes into the bears arms'. Showing sensitivity to Winnie the Pooh's feelings, CR humours Pooh when he plays along with his rain cloud idea so as not to criticize and hurt his feelings. When Pooh sticks in Rabbit's hole, CR reads stories to comfort the bear. When Pooh's sense of self worth weakens, CR provides comfort e.g. "you're the best bear in the world" said Christopher Robin soothingly'. When the other animals have problems, it is CR on whom they all rely for help. To them, CR provides a

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