Getting Lost in the Hundred Acre Wood

Abstract

This paper is concerned with A.A. Milne’s use of syntax to explicate meaning in the sixth chapter of The House at Pooh Corner titled “Pooh invents a New Game and Eeyore Joins In.” One of the complex themes within this simple narrative is the constant subversion the reader’s expectations, and Milne employs syntax to provide a language based description that matches the visual imagery provided. Milne’s use of syntax creates and reinforces these elements of surprise as they occur both internal and external to the subject. The syntactic structure demonstrates for the reader not only the feeling of the protagonist, but also the uncertainties and surprises that encapsulates all aspects of experience.