Cottleston+Pie+Thematic+Analysis-+Megan+Song

Thematic Analysis

**Introduction:**
Through this section of the book, an important theme that applies to everyone is explained. It's the truth about self identity and how Taoist view it. How individual talent and difference must be developed and seen as.

__Shallow Cleverness__ Clever plans fail as the example of Rabbit shows. Hoff mentions that Cleverness has its limitations because it can’t observe and analyze the deeper meanings of the events.

__Inner Nature__ Hoff explains that the Inner Nature makes a human unique and different from others; a concept that the intellectuals will never understand. He supports it with the Cottleston Pie Principle.

“A fly can’t bird, but a bird can fly.” (39)

This basically means that things are as they are. This corresponds to the inner nature of everyone. This is the reason everyone is unique: things are as they are. Everything is different but still exists in order to serve a purpose. In the writings of Chuan-tse a useless tree for earning money can be used to make a shelter and preserving its existence. According to Hoff, it is when one gives respect to his or her Inner Nature, that the person can finally fit in the society. Hoff agrees that humans can be different from each other, but the those who appreciate their Inner Nature and their true identity will succeed. The second idea of Inner Nature is recognizing What’s There. Hoff’s theory is that if no one notices What’s There, it is not wise. An example with Tigger and Jagulars are given in the book. Tigger doesn’t reveal his real identity and does not see the Jagulars. In the end, Tigger regrets showing off and being blind right infront. There are limitation or boundaries when judging others through their looks. It is limitations of oneself that develop the Inner Nature even more. With these limitations, one can work with them. For illustration there is small piglet who can save himself in many dangerous since she is tiny. The last criteria that explains Inner Nature is the fact that we don’t have to know. Similarly to the Uncarved Block, there is no need to learn anything about anything. The Taoist belief is just leaving things as it is without interference since that is the way nature wants. We don’t have to know everything. The Nature of Heffalumps proves that everyone has different desires and purposes that no one will exactly know. Thus should not try to learn through education. When piglet and pooh try to catch a Heffalump by persuading them with honey. Evidently this will not work because of the different Inner Natures of everyone. __Self-Identity__ It is important when practicing Taoism, Inner Nature to understand his or herself fully without doubt. The Way of Self-Reliance will develop confidence and reliance on Inner Nature.

“Inner Nature, when relied on, cannot be fooled” (57)

Thus to practice Inner Nature, self-identity must be sought. During the search of true identity, one can easily fall to their faults and negative characteristics. Hoff explains that it is, however a theme of Taoism to view all negative things in a positive manner. It must be an unbounced nature as Hoff explains it through the characters.

**Conclusion:**
Just like the example of the Ugly Duckling, Hoff’s main theme in Cottleston Pie is individual uniqueness that can only be acquired through first knowing oneself and then trusting the Inner Nature rather than Shallow Cleverness.

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