Teddy Bear
A bear, however hard he tries, Repetition
Grows tubby without exercise. Alliteration
Our Teddy Bear is short and fat, Rhetorical Question
Which is not to be wondered at; Dialogue
He gets what exercise he can Personification
By falling off the ottoman,
But generally seems to lack
The energy to clamber back.
Now tubbiness is just the thing
Which gets a fellow wondering;
And Teddy worried lots about
The fact that he was rather stout.
He thought: "If only I were thin!
But how does anyone begin?"
He thought: "It really isn't fair
To grudge one exercise and air."
For many weeks he pressed in vain
His nose against the window-pane,
And envied those who walked about
Reducing their unwanted stout.
None of the people he could see
"Is quite" (he said) "as fat as me!"
Then, with a still more moving sigh,
"I mean" (he said) "as fat as I!"
Now Teddy, as was only right,
Slept in the ottoman at night,
And with him crowded in as well
More animals than I can tell;
Not only these, but books and things,
Such as a kind relation brings -
Old tales of "Once upon a time,"
And history retold in rhyme.
One night it happened that he took
A peep at an old picture-book,
Wherein he came across by chance
The picture of a King of France
(A stoutish man) and, down below,
These words: "King Louis So and So,
Nicknamed 'The Handsome!'" There he sat,
And (think of it!) the man was fat!
Our bear rejoiced like anything
To read about this famous King,
Nicknamed "The Handsome." There he sat,
And certainly the man was fat.
Nicknamed "The Handsome." Not a doubt
The man was definitely stout.
Why then, a bear (for all his tub )
Might yet be named "The Handsome Cub!"
"Might yet be named." Or did he mean
That years ago he "might have been"?
For now he felt a slight misgiving:
"Is Louis So and So still living?
Fashions in beauty have a way
Of altering from day to day.
Is 'Handsome Louis' with us yet?
Unfortunately I forget."
Next morning (nose to window-pane)
The doubt occurred to him again.
One question hammered in his head:
"Is he alive or is he dead?"
Thus, nose to pane, he pondered; but
The lattice window, loosely shut,
Swung open. With one startled "Oh!"
Our Teddy disappeared below.
There happened to be passing by
A plump man with a twinkling eye,
Who, seeing Teddy in the street,
Raised him politely to his feet,
And murmured kindly in his ear
Soft words of comfort and of cheer:
"Well, well!" "Allow me!" "Not at all."
"Tut-tut! A very nasty fall."
Our Teddy answered not a word;
It's doubtful if he even heard.
Our bear could only look and look:
The stout man in the picture-book!
That 'handsome' King - could this be he,
This man of adiposity?
"Impossible," he thought. "But still,
No harm in asking. Yes I will!"
"Are you," he said,"by any chance
His Majesty the King of France?"
The other answered, "I am that,"
Bowed stiffly, and removed his hat;
Then said, "Excuse me," with an air,
"But is it Mr Edward Bear?"
And Teddy, bending very low,
Replied politely, "Even so!"
They stood beneath the window there,
The King and Mr Edward Bear,
And, handsome, if a trifle fat,
Talked carelessly of this and that….
Then said His Majesty, "Well, well,
I must get on," and rang the bell.
"Your bear, I think," he smiled. "Good-day!"
And turned, and went upon his way.
A bear, however hard he tries,
Grows tubby without exercise.
Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
Which is not to be wondered at.
But do you think it worries him
To know that he is far from slim?
No, just the other way about -
He's proud of being short and stout.
Grows tubby without exercise. Alliteration
Our Teddy Bear is short and fat, Rhetorical Question
Which is not to be wondered at; Dialogue
He gets what exercise he can Personification
By falling off the ottoman,
But generally seems to lack
The energy to clamber back.
Now tubbiness is just the thing
Which gets a fellow wondering;
And Teddy worried lots about
The fact that he was rather stout.
He thought: "If only I were thin!
But how does anyone begin?"
He thought: "It really isn't fair
To grudge one exercise and air."
For many weeks he pressed in vain
His nose against the window-pane,
And envied those who walked about
Reducing their unwanted stout.
None of the people he could see
"Is quite" (he said) "as fat as me!"
Then, with a still more moving sigh,
"I mean" (he said) "as fat as I!"
Now Teddy, as was only right,
Slept in the ottoman at night,
And with him crowded in as well
More animals than I can tell;
Not only these, but books and things,
Such as a kind relation brings -
Old tales of "Once upon a time,"
And history retold in rhyme.
One night it happened that he took
A peep at an old picture-book,
Wherein he came across by chance
The picture of a King of France
(A stoutish man) and, down below,
These words: "King Louis So and So,
Nicknamed 'The Handsome!'" There he sat,
And (think of it!) the man was fat!
Our bear rejoiced like anything
To read about this famous King,
Nicknamed "The Handsome." There he sat,
And certainly the man was fat.
Nicknamed "The Handsome." Not a doubt
The man was definitely stout.
Why then, a bear (for all his tub )
Might yet be named "The Handsome Cub!"
"Might yet be named." Or did he mean
That years ago he "might have been"?
For now he felt a slight misgiving:
"Is Louis So and So still living?
Fashions in beauty have a way
Of altering from day to day.
Is 'Handsome Louis' with us yet?
Unfortunately I forget."
Next morning (nose to window-pane)
The doubt occurred to him again.
One question hammered in his head:
"Is he alive or is he dead?"
Thus, nose to pane, he pondered; but
The lattice window, loosely shut,
Swung open. With one startled "Oh!"
Our Teddy disappeared below.
There happened to be passing by
A plump man with a twinkling eye,
Who, seeing Teddy in the street,
Raised him politely to his feet,
And murmured kindly in his ear
Soft words of comfort and of cheer:
"Well, well!" "Allow me!" "Not at all."
"Tut-tut! A very nasty fall."
Our Teddy answered not a word;
It's doubtful if he even heard.
Our bear could only look and look:
The stout man in the picture-book!
That 'handsome' King - could this be he,
This man of adiposity?
"Impossible," he thought. "But still,
No harm in asking. Yes I will!"
"Are you," he said,"by any chance
His Majesty the King of France?"
The other answered, "I am that,"
Bowed stiffly, and removed his hat;
Then said, "Excuse me," with an air,
"But is it Mr Edward Bear?"
And Teddy, bending very low,
Replied politely, "Even so!"
They stood beneath the window there,
The King and Mr Edward Bear,
And, handsome, if a trifle fat,
Talked carelessly of this and that….
Then said His Majesty, "Well, well,
I must get on," and rang the bell.
"Your bear, I think," he smiled. "Good-day!"
And turned, and went upon his way.
A bear, however hard he tries,
Grows tubby without exercise.
Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
Which is not to be wondered at.
But do you think it worries him
To know that he is far from slim?
No, just the other way about -
He's proud of being short and stout.
Analysis
In 1924, the children's poem 'Teddy Bear' by A. A Milne was published as part of a collection of poems entitled 'When We Were Very Young. The poem personifies a stuffed teddy bear named 'Edward', which originally belonged to Milne's son Christopher Robin, from whom he gained most of his inspiration. 'Teddy Bear' although written for children, demonstrates the effect of societal expectations and values on ones self image and esteem. Furthermore, the poem identifies the way in which humans idolise others, especially those who are famous or wealthy.
Societal views and expectations about physical appearance largely affects the self-esteem and body image of individuals. This is demonstrated in the poem 'Teddy Bear' as 'Mr Edward Bear', a short and fat animal, suffers from a reduced self-esteem and lack of confidence, which restricts him from performing every day activities. The line "And Teddy worried lots about, the fact that he was rather stout." clearly reveals that the self-esteem of 'Mr Edward Bear' has been compromised as his physical appearance does not fit the 'ideal' created by society. The personification of a stuffed teddy bear particularly appeals to children and allows Milne appropriately convey his message to the target audience of the poem. People are greatly influenced by societal 'ideals' about physical appearance. These unrealistic expectations established by society are likely to put huge amounts of pressure on individuals; thus leading to a distorted body image and low self-esteem. It is important that people do not dwell on societal expectations as everyone has unique characteristics.
Societal expectations about physical appearance are often influenced by recognisable or famous figures. This is demonstrated in the poem 'Teddy Bear' as 'Mr Edward Bear' learns that The King Of France is appreciated particularly for his short and stout appearance; thus altering his idea of what is considered to be socially accepted, furthermore lifting his self-esteem and altering his body image. In the sixth stanza, which reads; "To read about this famous King, Nicknamed "The Handsome." There he sat, and certainly the man was fat. Nicknamed "The Handsome." not a doubt The man was definitely stout. Why then, a bear (for all his tub ) might yet be named "The Handsome Cub!" Milne cleverly portrays how well known figures that have the ability to adapt societal 'ideals' surrounding physical appearance. The use of rhyme throughout the poem is used to attract children as well as helping the poem to flow. The first stanza is repeated at the end of the poem but the last line is changed; thus allowing the reader to compare the opinion of 'Mr Edward Bear' at the beginning and at the end. Well known figures in society directly affect an individuals body image.
'Teddy Bear' addresses contemporary issues regarding body image and self-esteem that would have been just as controversial during the early 20th century. The use of a personified stuffed animal allows Milne to convey a message appropriately to children as well as initially interest them. Adults would also be enticed by the simplicity of the poem, and would have a greater understanding of the themes; thus the poem is successful.
Societal views and expectations about physical appearance largely affects the self-esteem and body image of individuals. This is demonstrated in the poem 'Teddy Bear' as 'Mr Edward Bear', a short and fat animal, suffers from a reduced self-esteem and lack of confidence, which restricts him from performing every day activities. The line "And Teddy worried lots about, the fact that he was rather stout." clearly reveals that the self-esteem of 'Mr Edward Bear' has been compromised as his physical appearance does not fit the 'ideal' created by society. The personification of a stuffed teddy bear particularly appeals to children and allows Milne appropriately convey his message to the target audience of the poem. People are greatly influenced by societal 'ideals' about physical appearance. These unrealistic expectations established by society are likely to put huge amounts of pressure on individuals; thus leading to a distorted body image and low self-esteem. It is important that people do not dwell on societal expectations as everyone has unique characteristics.
Societal expectations about physical appearance are often influenced by recognisable or famous figures. This is demonstrated in the poem 'Teddy Bear' as 'Mr Edward Bear' learns that The King Of France is appreciated particularly for his short and stout appearance; thus altering his idea of what is considered to be socially accepted, furthermore lifting his self-esteem and altering his body image. In the sixth stanza, which reads; "To read about this famous King, Nicknamed "The Handsome." There he sat, and certainly the man was fat. Nicknamed "The Handsome." not a doubt The man was definitely stout. Why then, a bear (for all his tub ) might yet be named "The Handsome Cub!" Milne cleverly portrays how well known figures that have the ability to adapt societal 'ideals' surrounding physical appearance. The use of rhyme throughout the poem is used to attract children as well as helping the poem to flow. The first stanza is repeated at the end of the poem but the last line is changed; thus allowing the reader to compare the opinion of 'Mr Edward Bear' at the beginning and at the end. Well known figures in society directly affect an individuals body image.
'Teddy Bear' addresses contemporary issues regarding body image and self-esteem that would have been just as controversial during the early 20th century. The use of a personified stuffed animal allows Milne to convey a message appropriately to children as well as initially interest them. Adults would also be enticed by the simplicity of the poem, and would have a greater understanding of the themes; thus the poem is successful.