Winnie the Pooh

Write a response that explores the construction of childhood in Chapter 9 from A.A Milne's Winnie the Pooh.

In A.A Milne's classic children's story, Winnie the Pooh, the construction of childhood is perceived as being complex, displaying multiple characteristics and is contradicting. This is recognised when analysing Chapter nine from the book. The construction of childhood in the story is a time where children are finding solutions to difficult situations, learning to be independent whilst still relying on the guidance of adults, developing trustworthy and reliant friendships and exploring and experimenting through imagination and creativity. Throughout chapter 9 of A.A Milne's Winnie the pooh, the construction of childhood allows children to develop life long learning skills whilst learning from mistakes.

Throughout chapter 9 of the book, the construction of childhood is comprehended as complex, contrasting and displays multiple characteristics. This is due to the fact that the characters display leadership and bravery however lack certain aspects such as being illiterate. This is shown when Pooh arrives at Christopher Robin's house and is unable to read the note. However Pooh is then able to figure how to save Piglet by asking Christopher Robin to read the note. However if he was able to read the note it would have allowed him to save Piglet earlier. Therefore the chapter displays that childhood is a time where you can be heroic despite lacking certain abilities.

The characters in the chapter display several elements which helped them throughout the chapter. The characters dealt with problem solving, exploring and experimenting through imagination and creativity. However it contrasts with the fact that several characters are still reliant on an 'adult' figure throughout the chapter.

Throughout the chapter characters used simple logic and utilising life long skills to figure out complicated situations. Pooh bear is seen as the 'Bear of Very Little Brain’ however when figuring out how to get to Christopher Robin’s house he uses simple logic to and utilises objects around him to float. ‘If a bottle can float, then a jar can float, and if a jar floats, I can sit on the top if it, if it's a very big jar."

The characters throughout the chapter display various roles. Owl, Kanga and Christopher Robin are seen as the mother/father figure whilst Pooh, Piglet and Roo are seen as the child figure who in their own way are dependent but are still reliant upon adults. Therefore the chapter perceives childhood as a time for using simple logic to figure out complicated situations and also learn to be independent however still rely upon adult guidance.

Throughout chapter 9 of A.A Milne's, Winnie the Pooh, the construction of childhood is viewed as a time of exploring and using your imagination, trying to be independent whilst still relying on adult guidance and it is a time where making mistakes are accepted.