Образ медвежонка в английской литературе (доклад). (Humanoid Bears in English Children’s Literature)

Третья международная научно-практическая

конференция – конкурс

научно-исследовательских инициатив школьников

«Дорога в Малое Сколково»

                                        Название работы:

Образ медвежонка в английской детской литературе

(Humanoid Bears in English Children’s Literature)

Номинация: литературно-лингвистическая

Авторы:

 Мадина Абиева, 5 класс, ГБОУ СОШ № 490 с углубленным изучением иностранных языков Красногвардейского района Санкт – Петербурга,

Дария Иванова, 5 класс, ГБОУ СОШ № 490 с углубленным изучением иностранных языков Красногвардейского района Санкт – Петербурга,

Руководитель: Семенюта Галина Васильевна, учитель английского языка, ГБОУ СОШ № 490 с углубленным изучением иностранных языков Красногвардейского района Санкт – Петербурга

                                         Санкт – Петербург

2015

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our English teacher Semenuta G.V. for her assistance in preparing this project. We gratefully acknowledge all her contributions and advice.

Contents

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………..4

2. The Most Famous Bears in Children’s Stories……………………………... 5

2.1 Winnie-the-Pooh ………………................................................................5

2.2 Paddington Bear…………………………………………………………….8

2.3 Corduroy Bear………………………………………………………………12

2.4 Rupert Bear …………………………………………………………………13

3. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………15

4. Bibliography………………………………………………………………….17

Appendix: Famous Winnie- the- Pooh Quotes

                                     1 .Introduction

Bears featured as central characters in Celtic and Northern European tales for thousands of years (they also featured in Russian and Native American tales).

European folk tales reformatted those old tales for more recent audiences.  And Aesop used bears in his fables. But, unlike other animals — dogs, horses, cats, foxes — bears as central fictional characters arrived later on the literary scene.

On the whole, bears didn’t arrive in animal fiction until the 20th century. Some of them were real animals — civilized Bears — some were living teddy bears.  They were all beloved characters.

Children’s fiction (Kidlit) has been replete (насыщена) with fantastic stories of bears, that transcend (превышать) their animal status and become actual ‘persons’ who the children can easily relate to.

Each new generation has grown up on a steady (постоянный) diet of bear tales and handed down the ‘bear’ legacy to their children, and they to their children.  So much so that even now, bear stories and characters continue to be among the all-time favourite bedtime stories of children around the world.

This children’s story gained popularity when it appeared as a narrative by English author and poet Robert Southey. The tale was first published under the title “Story of the Three Bears” in 1837. In Southey’s version, the intruding (вторгшийся) human was an old woman with no name.  In later retellings the woman was called Silver Hair.  By the late 1800’s, the intruder was a young girl named Golden Hair and, finally, Goldilocks.  In every version, the bears were the victims of a destructive human, who runs away when discovered.

And then came Baloo.  Baloo was a sleepy old sloth (медлительный) bear” who taught the human boy Mowgli the jungle laws  in the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. It was first published in 1894.

The aims of the project are

• to find the most popular children’s stories in which main characters are anthropomorphized (humanoid) bears;
• to understand why bear characters are so popular with children

2. Most Famous Bears in Children’s Stories

Here are some of the all-time favourite fictional bears from English children’s literature

2.1 Winnie-the-Pooh

Winnie-the-Pooh, commonly known as Pooh Bear or simply Pooh (and also referred to as Edward Bear), is perhaps one of the most famous of all fictional bears.

Winnie- the –Pooh is a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear written by A.A. Milne. The first collection of stories about this little bear was the book Winnie the Pooh (1926), and this was followed by The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Milne also included a poem about the bear in the children's verse book When we were very young (1924) and many more ones in Now We Are Six (1927). All four books were illustrated by E.H. Shepard. The Disney company adapted the Pooh stories into  a series of features that became one of its most successful cartoons of all times. The Pooh stories have been translated into many languages.

The Pooh books аге а father's gift to his sоп, Christopher Robin, who inspired him to create it. Milne named the character Winnie-the-Pooh for a teddy bear owned by his son, Christopher Robin Milne, who was the basis for the character Christopher Robin in the famous books. Christopher's toys also lent their names to most of the other characters, except for Owl and Rabbit. Christopher Robin's toy bear is now on display at the Main Branch of New York Public Library. /4/

Christopher Milne had named his toy bear after Winnie, a Canadian black bear, that he often saw at London Zoo, and "Pooh", a swan they had met while on holiday. The bear cub was bought from a hunter for $20 by Canadian Lieutenant Harry Colebourn in Canada, while on route to England during the First World War. He named the bear "Winnie" after his hometown in Winnipeg, Manitoba. "Winnie" was brought to England with her owner. Colebourn left Winnie at the London Zoo while he and his unit were in France; after the war she was officially donated to the zoo, because she had become a great attraction there. /9/

In the first chapter of his book Milne offers this explanation of why Winnie-the-Pooh is often called simply "Pooh":

“But his arms were so stiff ... they stayed up straight in the air for more than a week, and whenever a fly came and settled on his nose he had to blow it off. And I think – but I am not sure – that is why he is always called Pooh.” /3/

The Winnie-the-Pooh stories are set in Ashdown Forest , Sussex, England. In 1925 Milne, who lived in London, bought a country home at Cotchford Farm, near Hartfield. According to Christopher Milne, the Milne family visit the farm  every weekend. And they would spend a whole month there in the spring and two months in the summer.  Most of his father's visits to Ashdown forest at this time were, his son noted in his autobiography, family expeditions on foot. Christopher added that, inspired by the beauty of Ashdown Forest, his father had made it the setting for two of his books.

Many locations in the stories can be linked to real places in and around the forest. As Christopher Milne wrote in his autobiography: "Pooh’s forest and Ashdown Forest are identical". The landscapes depicted in E. N. Shepard’s illustrations for the Winnie-the-Pooh books were directly inspired by the landscape of Ashdown Forest. /9/

The game of Poohsticks was originally played by Christopher Milne on a footbridge across a tributary of the River Medway. Poohsticks is a game in which a group of people throw sticks off a bridge in a stream and then watch to see whose stick appears first on the other side of the bridge. The wooden bridge is a tourist attraction, and it has become traditional to play the game there using sticks gathered in nearby woodland. When the footbridge recently had to be replaced, the engineer designed a new structure based closely on the drawings of the bridge by E. H. Shepard in the original books. /2/

Pooh has got several friends. Their names are Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo, Owl, and Christopher Robin. Piglet is a small pink pig. Eeyore is an old grey donkey.. Tigger is an energetic tiger. Rabbit is  awhite rabbit. Kanga is a female kangaroo. Roo is a baby kangaroo, Kanga’s son. /3/

In the Milne books, Pooh is naive and slow-witted, but he is also friendly, thoughtful, and steadfast. Although he and his friends agree that he "has no brain," Pooh is often smart and has a clever idea, usually driven by common sense. These episodes include riding in Christopher Robin's umbrella to rescue Piglet from a flood, inventing the game of Poohsticks, and getting Eeyore out of the river by dropping a large rock to wash him towards the bank of the river.

Pooh is also a talented poet, and the stories are often punctuated (прерывать, перемежать) by his poems and "hums." Although he tells his friends about his slow-wittedness, he is very creative. When Owl's house blows down in a storm, trapping Pooh and Piglet and Owl inside, Pooh encourages Piglet (who is small enough to do so) to escape and rescue them.  He promises that "a respectful Pooh song" will be written about Piglet's feat (подвиг).

Pooh is very fond of food, especially "hunny" (honey) but he also likes condensed milk. Не especially loves the moments just before eating them. Не loves counting honey pots. 

When he visits his friends, he wants him to be offered a snack. His desire is in conflict with the impoliteness of asking tasty things directly. He intends to give Eeyore a pot of honey for his birthday, but Pooh cannot resist eating the honey on his way to him, and so he has to give Eeyore "a useful pot to put things in". Pooh makes it a habit to eat "a little something" at about 11am. As the clock in his house "stopped at five minutes to eleven some time ago," any time can be the right time for having snack. /3/

Pooh is very social and kind-hearted. His closest friends are Christopher Robin and Piglet, and he most often spends his time with them. But he also visits the other animals, often search for a snack or an audience for reciting his poems. /11/

Winnie-the-Pooh is, of course, the main character of the two Winnie the Pooh books. Pooh's best friends are Christopher Robin and Piglet, although he is on good terms with аll of the animals in the forest due to his friendliness. Because of his lack of bгаin Pooh sometimes finds it difficult to follow plans оr keep up with the аnimаls when they аrе planning something like аn Expotition to Sоmеwhеге intеrеsting. Не also finds it hard to understand Owl because Owl does talk in such long and boring sentences that it's almost impossible to undегstаnd him

Рооh is scared оf Неffаlumрs and Woozles. Не loves hоnеу and he especially loves the moments just before eating it. Не also loves counting honey pots. 

Christopher Robin is the owner of Winnie the Pooh. Не lives in the 100 Асге Wood with the other animals. Не is а great friend of the other аnimаls like Piglet, Roo, Rabblt, Kanga, Owl аnd Ееуоге. Не always helps his friends in the forest.

Christopher Robin оftеn repeat the phrase "Silly old bеаг", but he says it in а kind and loving mannег.  /3/ At the bеginning of the book hе is intгоduсеd as the bоу who these stогiеs аге told to, later hе is оnе of main рагtiсiраnts оf all advеntuгеs. Thе other аnimаls usually ask him for help and advice to solve their problems, which he always sorts out. 

2.2 Paddington Bear

A classic character in children’s literature, Paddington Bear has been casting his spell (очаровать, околдовать) over children of all ages since he was first created by a British writer, Michael Bond, in 1958 and was subsequently featured (изображать) in more than twenty books. This adorable little bear is actually an immigrant who came from Darkest Peru. He hid himself on the lifeboat of a ship and arrived in England, as advised by his Aunt Lucy. /1/

Paddington bear books have been translated into 30 languages across 70 titles and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

This polite bear immediately entrenched (занять прочное положение) himself in his young readers’ minds with his old hat, battered (потрепанный) suitcase, duffel (шерстяной, байковый) coat and love of marmalade sandwiches. Although he attracted trouble, he also had an almost-human sense of right and wrong and wild adventures. He is kind-hearted, though he inflicts hard stares on those who incur (навлечь на себя) his disapproval. He has an endless capacity for innocently getting into trouble, but he is known to "try so hard to get things right." He was discovered in Paddington Station, London by the (human) Brown family sitting on his suitcase (bearing the label "Wanted on Voyage") with a note attached to his coat that reads "Please look after this bear. Thank you." He is an adoptive member of the Browns, who give him his full name as Paddington Brown. Paddington bear is extremely polite (he never addresses people as anything other than “Mr.”, “Mrs.” and “Miss”).  

Paddington was sent to England by his Aunt Lucy (one of his only known relatives aside from an Uncle Pastuzo who gave Paddington his hat) who has gone to live in the Home for Retired Bears in Lima. He claims, "I came all the way in a lifeboat, and ate marmalade. Bears like marmalade." He tells them that no-one can understand his Peruvian name, so the Browns decide to call him Paddington after the railway station in which he was found. Paddington's Peruvian name is ultimately revealed to be "Pastuso" (not to be confused with his "Uncle Pastuzo").

The Browns take him home to 32 Windsor Gardens. Paddington frequents the nearby Portobello Road markets, where he is respected by the shopkeepers for driving a hard bargain. When he gets annoyed with someone, he often gives the person one of his special "hard stares" (taught to him by Aunt Lucy), which causes the person to become embarrassed. Paddington's adventures usually rise from his misunderstanding something and trying to right (what he perceives (осознавать, ощущать) to be) in unfair situations. But in all his adventures he ends up on top and everyone involved can laugh about it. An exception to this rule is the Brown's next-door neighbour Mr. Curry, who in every adventure always ends up in trouble. /1/

The stories follow Paddington's adventures and mishaps (неудача) in England, along with some lack of information about his past.  For instance, in one story we learn that Paddington was orphaned in an earthquake, before being taken in and brought up by his Aunt Lucy.

Here is a cast of characters, all of whom are in some way entangled (запутывать) in Paddington's misadventures. It includes:

• Mr. Henry Brown: A hapless (незадачливый) but well-meaning London worker.
• Mrs. Mary Brown: Mr Brown's more serious-minded yet equally friendly wife.
• Jonathan and Judy: The energetic and friendly Brown children. It is never established if one is older than the other, perhaps they are twins. It is when they are meeting Jonathan and Judy off the train from boarding school that the Browns meet Paddington.
• Mrs. Bird: The Browns' strict but kindly nanny and housekeeper. Though she is often annoyed by Paddington's mishaps (неудача).
• Mr. Samuel Gruber: The friendly owner of an antique shop on the Portobello Road with whom Paddington meets almost every day. He regularly takes Paddington and the Brown children on outings. He is a Hungarian immigrant. He addresses Paddington as "Mr Brown".
• Mr. Reginald Curry: The Browns' mean and bad-tempered next-door neighbour, who serves as a contrast to Mr Gruber. He addresses Paddington simply as "Bear!" Penny-pinching by nature, Mr Curry always wants something for nothing and often persuades Paddington to run errands for him. He tends to invite himself to many of the Browns' special occasions just to sample (пробовать) the snacks. In most of the stories, he gets in trouble (as a frequent victim of Paddington's misadventures); however, he does sometimes benefit from Paddington's mistakes and has even rewarded him for them on occasion.
• Aunt Lucy: Paddington's aunt from South America. She was his former legal guardian up until she had to move into the Home for Retired Bears in Lima Peru. Why she had to do this was never made clear, as she is shown to be of sound mind and body during her visits to England.
• Uncle Pastuzo: Paddington's wealthy globe-trotting uncle. /10/

The first book was published in 1958. Although the books are divided into chapters and each book has a time frame and many of them were used for TV series. In order of publication the titles are:

1. A Bear Called Paddington (1958)
2. More About Paddington (1959)
3. Paddington Helps Out (1960)
4. Paddington Abroad (1961)
5. Paddington at Large (1962)
6. Paddington Marches On (1964)
7.  Paddington at Work (1966)
8.  Paddington Goes to Town (1968)
9.  Paddington Takes the Air (1970)
10.   Paddington's Garden (1972)
11.   Paddington's Blue Peter Story Book (1973)
12.  Paddington on Top (1974) 
13. Paddington at the Tower (1975)
14.  Paddington Takes the Test (1979) /11/

2.3 Corduroy Bear

Corduroy is a classic heart-warming tale of a teddy bear called Corduroy written by Don Freeman in 1968. It tells the story of a bear that is bought in a department store by a girl named Lisa. Corduroy is considered to be one of the best-loved children’s stories.

Don Freeman ((August 11, 1908 – January 1, 1978) was born in San Diego and later went to New York, where he studied graphic design and lithography.  

Frequent subjects of Freeman's  drawings included Broadway theatre, politics, the circus. Freeman was known for carrying a sketchbook with him wherever he went. His images depicted New York City, and the faces of the people he observed on the streets, theatres and Subway. Freeman was also a jazz musician and the brother of hotel entrepreneur Warren Freeman.

In 1951, he began illustrating children's books. Don Freeman was first introduced to children's literature when he was asked by Wiiliam Sarroan to illustrate several books. He was the writer and illustrator of more than twenty children's books. He is best known for his publication of Corduroy. Although he came up with many of his ideas on his own, his wife Lydia Freeman contributed greatly to his success; indeed, she co-wrote two books with him. She was very influential on her husband's work, as he relied on her for inspiration for his pieces. He would read his work aloud to her as well as any children around in order to gain feedback on a particular piece. /6/

The story about Corduroy begins when Lisa sees a teddy bear, Corduroy, in a toy shop. A little girl Lisa seems to fall in love with Corduroy the moment she sees him.  Corduroy waits day after day for someone to come to the department store to take him home. Lisa's mother is unable to buy her the bear she so desperately wants. Lisa returns home sad and decides to find a way to buy Corduroy.

At night when all is still in the store Corduroy climbs down from his shelf to hunt for his lost button. He fails to get back to his shelf by the daytime.

In the morning, he is bought by Lisa, who uses up all the money she has saved in her piggy bank. She takes him home and gives Corduroy a room of his own. Thrilled to discover that he has finally reached ‘home’, he decides gratefully that Lisa and he must be friends.

In the sequel "A Pocket for Corduroy," the bear realizes that he has no pocket and immediately decides to search for it. /7/

2.4 Rupert Bear

Rupert Bear is a beloved fictional character with children across the UK. Initially created as a comic book character by the English artist Mary Tourtel, he first appeared in the newspaper Daily Express on the 8th of November 1920. Rupert Bear also features (показывать, изображать) in a series of books that centre around his many adventures. /5/

Rupert's initial purpose was to win sales from the rival Daily Mail and Daily Mirror. In 1935, the mantle (облицовка, главная часть) of Rupert artist and storyteller was taken over by Alfred Bestall. He was successful in the field of children's literature and worked on Rupert stories and artwork into his 90s. Bestall expanded the stories and plots of Rupert; and in addition to precise and detailed drawings for the Daily Express panels he also created beautifully crafted illustrations in the Rupert Annuals. More recently, various other artists and writers have continued the series. The successors to Bestall were Alex Cubie (1974-1977), John Harrold, who was succeeded by Gina Hunt and Stuart Trotter.

The comic strip was, and still is, published daily in the Dai8ly Express, with many of these stories later being printed in books, and every year since 1936 a Rupert annual has also been released. Rupert Bear has become a well-known character in children culture in the UK. The success of the Rupert stories has led to the creation of several television series based on the character. The character also has a large fan following, with such groups as The Follows of Rupert. /5/

The comic strip has become such an indispensable part of the newspaper that it continues to appear daily even today. Some children in England practically learned to read in the newspaper adventures of Rupert Bear and the Christmas Annuals.

Tourtel's home was in Canterbury in Kent, and the Rupert Bear Museum, part of the Museum of Canterbury, has collections that cover much of the history of Rupert and his Friends, as well as Tourtel and other illustrators.

Rupert is a humanoid bear and Bill, a humanoid badger, is his best friend. Rupert and his friends have remarkable adventures in magical, faraway lands.

Rupert is a bear who lives with his parents in a nice house in Nutwood, a fictional idyllic village. He wears a red sweater and bright yellow checked trousers, with matching yellow scarf. Most of the other characters in the series are also anthropomorphic animals (animals with humanoid forms). Rupert's animal friends are usually referred to as his "chums" (приятель) or "pals". Aside from his best friend Bill Badger (барсук), some of the most enduring pals include an elephant (Edward Trunk), a mouse (Willie), Pong-Ping the Pekingese, Podgy Pig, Bingo the Brainy Pup, Freddie and Ferdy Fox, and Ming the dragon. The kindly Wise Old Goat also lives in Nutwood, and helps Rupert in some of his adventures. One of the most unusual characters is Raggety, a woodland troll-creature made from twigs, who is often very grumpy and annoying.

There are also a few human characters in the stories, such as the Professor (who lives in a castle with his servant), Tiger Lily (a Chinese girl), her father "the Conjuror", and several less often occurring characters. /7/

The series often features fantastic adventures in faraway lands. Each story begins in Nutwood, Rupert usually sets out on a small errand for his mother or to visit a friend, and then it develops into an adventure to exotic fictional countries such as King Frost's Castle, the Kingdom of the Birds, underground, or to the bottom of the sea. Sometimes one of the Professor's inventions opens the door for his adventures. At the end of the story Rupert returns to his parents in Nutwood, where all is safe and well.

3. Conclusion

The books whose main characters are teddy bears have been popular since they were published. They have been translated into many languages and have captured kids’ hearts and produced a great impression on people all over the world. They are favourite of both children and grown- ups. They are the best bedtime stories that parents read or tell their children before they go to sleep. In their early years children enjoy being read books by their parents and grandparents. When they are older they read these books on their own. Many English speaking children practically learn to read thanks to them. Reading them they are totally absorbed in amazing adventures. Sometimes they devour one book after another.

Why these books which have no common, except of teddy bears as main characters, are so popular with kids and even grown-ups? Why are children keen on reading them, watching cartoons and feature films, playing video games based on them?

The secret of their success is that their authors could get inside the mind of a little child. They understand the way children think, feel and play games. The stories are full of fun and imagination. Most tales are set in fiction countries, exclusively dominated by these furry creatures, with books ranging from picture books to longer children’s novels. Their characters have a lot of exciting adventures that follow one after another and never ends. They are funny and touching. Though children often laugh at the bears in fact they love them all the more. There are a lot of wonderful pictures created by talented artists there. Sometimes they seem to be silly but they have a lot of common sense and courage and sort out difficult problems. They are always true and devoted friends.

These wonderful books taught tolerance, kindness, sympathy and optimism. Children are influenced by good examples. The books are faithful and undemanding friends that can be put away and taken up again in any time.

Children consider these cute bears as their playmates.  Some children cannot go to sleep without their loved stuffed toys. No wonder that teddy bears are the best gifts for children. Parents know about their children attraction to teddies and often give these books and toys to their loved ones. It is impossible to imagine children’s life without fiction books, feature films, cartoons about teddy bears. And these fictional teddy bears have come to represent that part of childhood that is as yet unsullied (пачкать, пятнать) by adult cynicism. No wonder they continue to cast a spell (очаровывать) over both children as well as adults!

Once read these wonderful books we never forget them. Winnie-the-Pooh (created by Alan Milne) said, “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we are apart, I’ll always be with you”. /3/

I am sure this book will always be popular with children. I hope my future children will enjoy reading it as I used to.

English literature can boast of many exciting children’s books. I am going to continue to read and study other books written by English writers.

Bibliography

1. Майкл Бонд «Все о медвежонке Паддингтоне». Изд. группа «Азбука-классика», М., 2009

2. А.А. Milne “When We Were Very Young”, изд. «Радуга», 1983

 3. А.А. Milne А.А. Milne “The World of Winnie-the-Pooh”, изд. «Радуга», 1983

4. O.V. Afanasyeva, I.V. Mikheeva “English, VIII”, Prosveshchenye”, M., 2006

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Bear

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Freeman

7. http://www.factbites.com/topics/Rupert-the-Bear

8. http://donfreeman.info/

9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnie-the-Pooh

10. http://hl.mailru.su/mcached?q=Paddington%20Bear&c=14-1%3A243-1&r=1465628&rch=l&qurl=http%3A//www.paddington.com/global/home/&fr=webhsm

11. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bond

Appendix:  Famous Winnie the Pooh Quotes

A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference.
Winnie the Pooh
Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh

I used to believe in forever
But forever's too good to be true.
Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh's Most Grand Adventure

"I don't see much sense in that," said Rabbit. "No," said Pooh humbly, "there isn't. But there was going to be when I began it. It's just that something happened to it along the way."
Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh

It is hard to be brave, when you're only a Very Small Animal.
Winnie the Pooh
Piglet, Winnie the Pooh

Pooh and Piglet walked home thoughtfully together in the golden evening, and for a long time they were silent.
"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
"It's the same thing," he said.
Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh

"It just shows what can be done by taking a little trouble," said Eeyore. "Do you see, Pooh? Do you see, Piglet? Brains first and then Hard Work."
Winnie the Pooh
The House at Pooh Corner

You can't help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn't spell it right; but spelling isn't everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn't count.
Winnie the Pooh
Rabbit, The House at Pooh Corner

Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.
Winnie the Pooh
The House at Pooh Corner

"Pooh, promise me you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I am a hundred."
Pooh thought for a little.
"How old shall I be then?"
"Ninety-nine."
Pooh nodded. "I promise," he said.
Winnie the Pooh
The House at Pooh Corner