Benjamin Hoff
The author of The Tao of Pooh is an American Taoist who uses Winnie the Pooh to illustrate the central concepts and principles in Taoism (like Tao, P’u, and Wu Wei). Throughout…
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Winnie-the-Pooh
The novel’s central character is the protagonist of the Winnie-the-Pooh books and, according to Benjamin Hoff, a model Taoist sage. Hoff argues that Pooh Bear has the kind of mindset that Taoists strive to…
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Piglet
In the Winnie-the-Pooh books, Piglet is Pooh’s best friend and frequent companion. He’s kind and loving, but also shy and cowardly, in part because he’s a “Very Small Animal.” As a result, the other…
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Rabbit
In the Winnie-the-Pooh books, Rabbit is a sociable, energetic, obsessive, and bossy animal who is always trying to organize and direct everyone else. Much like Owl, he tends to think that he’s smarter than…
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Eeyore
In the Winnie-the-Pooh books, Eeyore is a miserable, pessimistic donkey who spends his time wallowing around his riverbank, worrying and complaining. The other characters constantly look out for him and try to brighten his mood…
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Get the entire The Tao of Pooh LitChart as a printable PDF.
Owl
In the Winnie-the-Pooh books, Owl is a scholarly old owl who lives in the Hundred Acre Wood. He thinks he’s highly intelligent, and everyone seems to agree with him. But actually, Owl’s abstract knowledge is…
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Tigger
In the Winnie-the-Pooh books, Tigger is a hyperactive, self-confident tiger who bounces around the Hundred Acre Wood on his spring-like tail. For Hoff, Tigger’s bounce illustrates why people ought to understand their inner nature—when…
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Bisy Backson
Bisy Backsons are people who live “almost desperately active” lives pursuing their goals. Unlike Taoists, they’re constantly going somewhere, doing something, and fighting for some “Great Reward.” Unfortunately, Hoff argues, they only frustrate and embitter…
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Christopher Robin
In the Winnie-the-Pooh books, Christopher Robin is a young boy who lives near the Hundred Acre Wood and befriends Pooh, Piglet, and the other animals. Notably, he helps rescue them when they run…
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Minor Characters
Roo
In the Winnie-the-Pooh books, Roo is a young kangaroo who gets roped into the other characters’ adventures. In one memorable scene, he falls into a stream, and Pooh saves him. Hoff uses this episode to illustrate the importance of compassion or care.
Confucius
Confucius was a highly influential ancient Chinese philosopher. His teachings—which are known as Confucianism—set the foundation for much of Chinese culture throughout the ages.
Lao-tse
Lao-tse was the ancient Chinese philosopher who founded Taoism. He wrote Taoism’s most important text, the Tao Te Ching, which Hoff repeatedly cites throughout The Tao of Pooh. (His name is also spelled Laozi or Lao Tzu.)
Chuang-tse
Chuang-tse (also known as Zhuangzi or Zhuang Zhou) is one of the two central ancient Chinese Taoist philosophers, along with Taoism’s founder Lao-tse. Hoff frequently cites parables from Chuang-tse’s collected writings, which are commonly known as The Book of Chuang-tse or The Zhuangzi.
The Unbeliever
The Unbeliever is Benjamin Hoff’s friend, who tells him that “the Great Masters of Wisdom” are all from the East and doesn’t believe that Pooh has anything to do with Taoism.
