The Tao of Pooh

The Tao of Pooh

In The Tao of Pooh, the concept of Taoism is the main focus and each and every character in The Tao of Pooh represents a certain human vice and virtue. He uses every character but Pooh to show how not to live life, according to the Taoists. Pooh is basically how Taoism tells one to live while two characters, Piglet and Rabbit, are shown as ways not to live life.

Pooh, just is, as it says in The Tao of Pooh and that is the key to Taoism. Pooh never worries about anything. He is called, "The Uncarved Block." This means that everything is in its simplest form. Also, Pooh represents the joys of childhood or the joys of being a child. He has no worries and no responsibilities, he just is. He does not do much thinking before doing things, he just does them. He goes with the flow of things and that is why his life is so simple and worry-free.

The Tao of Pooh also shows how not to live life. One of the characters he uses is Rabbit and he is always rushing and is always fast to do things. He is always on the run and does not have much time for himself. He worries so much and he is fast forwarding through his life. This is a way not to live life because when one speeds through life, one misses out on all the pleasures and great things of life. Taoism is mainly about enjoying life and the simple pleasures it has to offer. So as Rabbit does, speeding through life can cause one to miss out on the little things that make you happy as well.

Another character Benjamin Hoff uses to demonstrate how not to live life is Piglet. Piglet is the worst character in this book because he is always worrying about something; even the smallest things. In The Tao of Pooh, Piglet asks Pooh what he thinks about when he wakes up. Pooh simply replies with, "What am I going to eat for breakfast.?" Piglet, on the other hand, wonders what exciting thing is going to happen today and this indicates he is not satisfied with life. When opportunity comes for Piglet to accomplish something, his hesitance and worries get in the way so he ends up not accomplishing anything at all. Piglet is a perfect example of what Taoists do not believe in.

In The Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff shows ways to live life and ways not to live life. Pooh's simplicity and innocence is what Taoists think life should be like. His worry-free life is how life should be lived, although characters like Rabbit and Piglet