The symbolism that Benjaman Hoff uses with the Pooh characters to learn a very difficult philosophy amazes me!
2007-02-04 13:11:28 · 2 answers · asked by me 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Love those books.
Its a great metaphor to translate an idea so simple its hard to understand into common terms everyone does understand. Pooh may not have been read by everyone, but most people understand the characters well enough for the metaphor to serve its purpose.
Good books and movies do this all the time through symbolism rather than trying to use definitions that are easily misinterpreted.
Taoism takes years to understand yet rumor has it that once you do, its like a slap in the face - as if you are if anything left wondering how it took so long to realize the obvious.
On the other hand, if you really do get Taoism, you wouldn't be contemplating how or why it took so long to 'get' Taoism in the first place.... just like Pooh doesn't spend time contemplating how or why or what purpose being a bear is.... he just eats honey and hangs out with Christopher Robins and Piglet.
Personally, I liked Te of Piglet more between the two, but I think Tao of Pooh was necessary to read first.
How un-Taoist of me to even state my opinion. LOL
2007-02-04 13:25:04 · answer #1 · answered by Justin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love those books as well. Although I prefer the Tao of Pooh. I had to read them for a Chinese/Japanese Religion class. The books make Taoism so much easier to understand. I must confess I was an Eeyore fan before I read the books. But now after reading them I appreciate Pooh much more.
2007-02-04 13:34:09 · answer #2 · answered by meeko6811 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋