Did Hobbes really come to life when no-one was looking, or did Calvin just imagine it?

Answer 1

You know the story of the Velveteen Rabbit, don't you? I hate to get all mushy (it is one of my favorites) on you, but the story is about how the love of the boy made the velveteen rabbit real.

Just like Calvin's obvious affection for Hobbes made him real.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get 'The Essential Calvin & Hobbes' off the shelf & lose myself for awhile.

Sounds like your having a really nostalgic sort of day. Is it your birthday or something?

Answer 2

Hobbes is part of Calvin's reality. So to Calvin, Hobbes is very real, and in fact, probably more real to Calvin than anyone else in his life as he shares everything with Hobbes and even channels some of his own thoughts and feelings through Hobbes. Its like every child who has an "imaginary" friend. No-one else believes you, but to you, they are really there.

Hobbes is a reality of Calvin's existence, but, like the loss of innocence that everyone experiences, he loses Hobbes as a friend in the final comic strip as Calvin grows up. Its like when people say that children are more able to be spiritually intuitive, more likely to see spirits, more inclined to believe in fairies. At that time in your life, reality and fantasy are all the same thing, the line is totally blurred and whatever you see, IS reality (through your child's eyes). Its only when older people tell you that you are seeing things, or that you are being silly, that the process of the loss of innocence begins, you start doubting what you see and believe because of the figures of authority in your life and the need to conform. Cynicism then creeps in and the belief in Santa et al disappears.

So whether Hobbes comes to life for "real" or not, should not be the question. Its whether its right to ridicule / be cynical about / dissuade that right to believe that Hobbes is real.

Answer 3

Interacting with Hobbes was a part of Calvin's reality. Calvin's parents had a different reality and did not interact with Hobbes. Hobbes was always a sentient being with Calvin, so he didn't just "come to life" when no one was looking. Anyone other than Calvin was unable to understand the communication, and therefore failed to appreciate the total experience. It's as if they listened to a stereo with one channel out. They didn't hear all that was happening.

Answer 4

siiiiiiiiiiiigh. Calvin and Hobbes is a classic story of a child that was too smart and cynical for other children yet still had the imagination of a child. Therefore he turned a stuffed tiger (hobbes) into his imaginary friend. In his mind the tiger was alive all the time but only spoke to him and played with him but to others the tiger was exactly what it was... a stuffed toy. This is why when the neighbor girl steals Hobbes you see him as a stuffed animal while Calvin still sees him a Hobbes. You can also tell as you read these hillarious yet touching comics that often Calvin will project his own feelings into what Hobbes does in any given situation.
DUH
Simpleton

Answer 5

In my opinion, Hobbes was only in Calvin's imagination. My favorites of those cartoons were the amazing snow people Calvin would do.

Answer 6

Calvin just imagined it. It was very sad in the final cartoon, when Calvin "realized" Hobbes was just a stuffed animal.

Answer 7

To Calvin, Hobbes was real. That's why he was always walking and talking. His parents just saw him as a toy, though. Hobbes was always there, always in on things, but the perspective from either side was what changed.

Answer 8

One assumes that Calvin imagines it. But I think Hobbes come to life really!! Of course!! lol


Bye!!

Answer 9

there is a fine line between imagination and reality for children. in calvin's perspectice Hobbes really did come to life.

Answer 10

How do we know Hobbes WASN"T real and imagine Calvin?