The Paradox of Gender Performativity in Winnie-the-Pooh

Abstract

In a heteronormative society, boys and girls are trained to dress and act in ways regarded appropriate for their respective genders. Even during play, a boy is expected to indulge only in activities that are traditionally considered masculine. A. A. Milne was inspired by his son’s pretend play to write the Pooh books. From the illustrations in the book, which were modeled upon the real Christopher Robin and his toys, and various biographical material on the Pooh books, it can be discerned that the young boy was dressed in a gender-nonconforming fashion. This article probes this paradox of gender performativity in Christopher Robin’s character in Winnie-the-Pooh (1926), wherein the child performs acts considered masculine in his imaginative play, while going against gender norms in his real-life appearance.