Bisy+Backson+Summary

SUMMARY Soyeon

Hoff first uses the story of Rabbit going down to the edge of the Hundred Acre Wood, looking for Christopher Robin at the tree where he lived. There is no reply and he finds a letter saying:

GON OUT BACKSON BISY BACKSON. C.R. He figures that Christopher Robin is not home, but doesn't know what a Backson is. He went to ask Owl, but Owl didn't know either. Hoff says that Chuan-tse, was able to describe what a Backson is quite accurately. Chuang-tse states that a man who hates seeing his footprints and shadow runs and eventually dies from exhaustion; if he had just stood in the shade, he would have been okay. Hoff then groups "Backsons" as people that are almost desperately active. "Bisy Backsons" make loud breathing noises, stampede through parks, struggle on asphalt and concrete, and inhale poisonous exhaust fumes while you are enjoying a picnic in the grass.

There are many types of Backsons; one of them being the Athletic sort that is concerned with physical fitness. These Backsons think that physical fitness is something that has to be forced rather than simply created. Athletic Backsons confuse work with everything; work with exercise, work with play, etc. A Bisy Backson actually does the oppositte of what makes a person healthy, relaxed, and contented. Because Bisy Backsons always seem to have to be going somewhere superficially (or physically). They never truly go out for walks, because they never have the time.

Eeyore says that a conversation has to be a Give and Take, and that Rabbit is too fast and does not wait enough for a reply. Hoff then changes the words of the letter to fit what a Bisy Backson is most like; a person always On The Run:

GONE OUT BACK SOON BUSY BACK SOON

BACK OUT GONE SOON BUSY GONE SOON

Bisy Backsons live a lifestyle that never satisfies them or make the Happy and Good. Instead, they blame the world, but it is because they are always looking for a Reward that we have been taught to expect and On The Move to find this Reward. Pooh says that in his nightmare, a jar of honey kept moving out of his reach, and Hoff uses this to show Rabbit's way of life. He continuously reaches for the Great Reward, but it is always out of his reach because he thinks that rewarding things require so much effort. However, Hoff states that the true rewards are Happy and Good, not to be able to do all physical activities in the world to tell people when they ask about Life Interests. Rabbit then comes once again looking for the Uncarved Block but fails to listen and runs off again. Hoff says that the Puritans, who failed to leave the farmland alone, in the end created famine because they depleted the soil, causing it to be useless.

Pooh then says that because it is a nice day, he is listening to the birds and squirrel say it is a nice day. He wants to confirm that others think so too, and does not want to be Educated by listening to a horrible incident on the radio. He wants to enjoy life and listen; not be too busy to see the good aspects of life. Because the Puritans did not like singing or Bears, Hoff shows that they did not like life in general, and were therefore Confused. He states that the Miserable Puritan led to the Restless Pioneer, which led to the Lonely Cowboy. These Bisy Backsons always look for the Great Reward, but never feel at home or at peace with the Friendly Land. Backsons think in terms of fighting and overcoming, when growing and developing from changes inside are the real progressive ways to receive Rewards.

Meanwhile, Rabbit finally comes back to Pooh with Eeyore. He finally listens enough to realize that the Uncarved Block is Pooh and then is simply disappointed by the Reward. Hoff then talks about Bisy Backson Society, and how it destroys youthfulness with the False Front approach of cosmetics, plastic surgery, etc, while praising youthful energy and appearance. These damaging activities, which are not part of the journey for the Great Rewar, while trying to save time. The Hamburger Stand, Microwave Oven, Nuclear power Plant, Poisonous Chemicals are all "timesaving devices." However, these timesaving devices don't really save time, since we should have more time available to us with these devices. Instead, we have less time than ever. You cannot save time, but only spend it, so the Bisy Backson has no time because it is wasted while trying to save it.

Pictures:

__Dordogne Quilter__. 1 Mar. 2009 .__Kanga, Roo & Rabbit__. 1 Mar. 2009 .