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the teddy bear
Research essay
Abstract
Do you have a special teddy bear that means more to you than any other toy? Have you ever wondered how the teddy bear came to? Well in this paper you will find out many things that very few people have learned about.
Amanda White
English 10-29410077300
the teddy bear
Research essay
Abstract
Do you have a special teddy bear that means more to you than any other toy? Have you ever wondered how the teddy bear came to? Well in this paper you will find out many things that very few people have learned about.
Amanda White
English 10-2
Amanda White
Courtney Schafers
English 10-2
31/10/18
The Teddy Bear
We all have that special, memorable toy from our childhood that we will not ever forget. For some it could be that toy car that took you across the universe and back, others it maybe Legos that could tower into a whole city of your own. As for me it is the classic old “Teddy Bear” that protected me day and night and was always by my side. The teddy bear has an interesting back story that few have learned about. Although the bear itself has evolved into more than just a bear physically, it still warms and comforts a child’s heart.
A child can hold onto a bear when he or she is sad and take them on their first day of school, when they travel, during their times of play or to help them fall asleep. From a simple toy to a protector, best friend and part of the family. The teddy bear has been around for years but very few know the story of the plush toy. Even a toy has a background story. The teddy bear was named after the former president Theodore Roosevelt. While out on a hunting trip with the governor of Mississippi in 1902, a group of Roosevelt attendants captured an American black bear after chasing it through the woods. They suggested Roosevelt to shoot the cub while it was tied to willow tree, Roosevelt refused to shoot the bear cub himself but told them to put the bear out of his misery. Clifford Berryman made a political cartoon after the event in the woods with Theodore and the cub, in the illustration he has his back turned refusing to harm the animal. Morris Michtom saw the cartoon and was inspired to create a new toy. He asked the president permission to name the toy after him, creating the “Teddy” bear. He created a stuffed bear and placed it in his stores window, the toy was an instant hit. The teddy bear is one of the first stuffed animals in America in the evolution of stuffed animals. The bear grew popular in just a few years and was the hot new toy on the shelf. It was even a big hit with the parents because it was easy to wash. The classic teddy bear did resemble a real bear, but it has evolved to much more than the average bear. Back in 1902 the teddy bear had small black eyes with the large mouth and nose. As the years have gone by the average teddy bear has evolved to something else. It has become more animated, cartooned, and unrealistic.
Now the bears wear hats, bows, big grins, sunglasses, blue fur, pink fur, a wide range of clothes to dress a bear in and they come in so many different colors now. After the bear was created more stuffed animals were made such as rabbits, monsters, giraffes and pigs it is no longer just the bear. Although the toy has evolved much more than when it was created in 1902, it still has the same purpose. The purpose being to comfort young children, make loved one’s smile, be a gift or be a friend to the elderly. As gifts, they mark and commemorate life events, from the most important to the smallest experience. They give us feelings of safety because they were given out of love usually from someone close to us. The teddy bear has come a long way throughout the years, but it still manages to fulfill its purpose and still be that teddy bear we all love. There is that memorable toy from our childhood that we will always keep in our heart and never forget. That toy that we could tell our secrets to and be as silly as we wanted and not be scared that they will judge us. They all have their own little back story before they even met us. They have grown up throughout the years but are still always there to bring us comfort at the end of the day.
It has become a best friend from young to the old, strong memories for decades and more to come. The teddy bear is more than a toy, it has a history all its own and it has evolved into many things but still comforts the young and old. Felt, stuffing and a few buttons can mean the world to someone. My present at birth became my best friend, Mr. Cuddles Worth. Although he was just a toy he became part of my family. I created memories and stories throughout the years with him. An inanimate object can mean the world to someone, it is no longer just a toy rather a member of the family. When I was younger, I could tell my teddy everything knowing he would not speak a word to anyone. He was a shoulder to cry on when hard times came around. At night he would protect me from the monsters under my bed and make the night a little less scary. We would have so many adventures in the backyard from fighting off dragons to exploring the jungle. Although I am older I plan on keeping my teddy bear for as long as I live because he stores so many files of memories I could never just throw away. A thing of plush has become part of my life, not as a toy but as a best friend and a family member. Almost every person has that special toy that became more than just an object. Teddy bears create comfort for the young and store memories for the old. These soft toys are often very treasured to us and can help us get through the hard times that come our way in life. We know this a teddy bear is a trusted friend who shares in our happy times and stays by our side through the most difficult times. Teddy bears help us when we are separated from our parents such as going to school or while they are gone to work. I would take my teddy bear everywhere and he helped me when I was terrified at school.
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The teddy bear has stolen many children hearts from 1902 and for years to come. It has files of memories and warrior scars from the many adventures it has been through. It takes its name from the former president Theodore Roosevelt because he could not shoot a bear cub. It has grown throughout the years to keep up with the time period, but still stayed a friend to all. There will always be that toy that was much more special than any other toy and it holds all the memories and love that was created through many years of friendship.
Work cited pages
Gustainis, Justin. “Teddy Bears.” St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, edited by Thomas Riggs, 2nd ed., vol. 5, St. James Press, 2013, pp. 68-69. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.allbvc.talonline.ca/apps/doc/CX2735802684/GVRL?u=lac73470&sid=GVRL&xid=2eb7995f, Accessed 29 Oct. 2018
Coulthard, Caldas. Rosa1, Carmen. Leeuwen, van. Theo1
Social Semiotics. Apr2003, Vol. 13 Issue 1, p5-27. 23p. 6 Black and White Photographs
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.allbvc.talonline.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=0ff9f238-5cc1-4598-9208-833aad89f5ca%40pdc-v-sessmgr01, Accessed 29 Oct. 2018
America’s story from America’s library
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/roosevelt/aa_roosevelt_bears_1.html, Accessed 29 Oct. 2018
Clay, Marianne teddy bear & friends the ultimate authority
https://web.archive.org/web/20110723184018/http:/www.teddybearandfriends.com/archive/articles/history.html, Accessed 29 Oct. 2018
