Lesson Plan: Who was A.A. Milne?

Learning Objectives:

• Students will learn about the life of A.A. Milne, the author of Winnie-the-Pooh.
• Students will understand the complex relationship between A.A. Milne and his son, Christopher Robin.
• Students will explore the historical context of World War I and its impact on individuals.
• Students will explore the similarities between Milne and Siegfried Sassoon

Read the facts below and in groups of 2 or three discuss the following questions:

• Which fact surprised you the most? Why?
• What does this information tell you about A.A. Milne as a person and his interests?
• How do these facts change your perception of him beyond just being the author of Winnie-the-Pooh?

Six Facts You May Not Know About A.A. Milne

1. He was a mathematician: Before becoming a successful writer, A.A. Milne graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge with a degree in mathematics.
2. He fought in World War I: Despite his later pacifist views, Milne served as a soldier on the front lines during the war. This experience had a significant impact on his life and writing.
3. He wrote beyond children’s literature: While best known for Winnie-the-Pooh, Milne also wrote plays, poems, novels, and even a detective story.
4. He wasn’t thrilled about being known for Winnie-the-Pooh: Although the books brought him immense success, Milne felt his reputation as a serious writer was overshadowed by the popularity of children’s characters.
5. His son inspired Winnie-the-Pooh: The character of Christopher Robin and many of the other animals in the stories were based on Milne’s son and his stuffed animal toys.
6. The Hundred Acre Wood has a real-life inspiration: The setting of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories was inspired by Ashdown Forest in Sussex, England, which is now a popular tourist destination for fans of the books.

Read the facts below and in groups of 2 or three discuss the following questions:

• Writing style: How did their writing differ? Was it influenced by their wartime experiences?
• Attitude toward war: Did they share similar views, or were they markedly different?
• Impact on literature: Discuss how their works contributed to the literary landscape.
• Legacy: How are they remembered today?

Comparing A.A. Milne and Siegfried Sasson

A.A. Milne:

• Served: 1916-1919
• Role: Signal officer on the Western Front
• Experience: Witnessed the horrors of trench warfare firsthand, including the Battle of the Somme.
• Impact: The trauma of the war is believed to have contributed to his later disillusionment and pacifist views. He rarely spoke about his wartime experiences publicly.

Siegfried Sassoon:

• Served: 1915-1918
• Role: Infantry officer and later reconnaissance pilot
• Experience: Awarded the Military Cross for bravery but became increasingly disillusioned with the war’s brutality. He suffered from shell shock and was briefly treated for mental illness.
• Impact: Vocal critic of the war, expressing his opposition through poetry and public statements. His experiences deeply influenced his writing, which often portrayed the war’s psychological and emotional toll on soldiers.

Comparison:

• Similarities: Both men served on the Western Front and witnessed the devastating realities of trench warfare. The war had a profound impact on both their lives and works.
• Differences: Milne’s experience seems to have been marked by a quieter internal struggle, while Sassoon became a vocal critic of the war. Their differing temperaments and approaches to expressing their experiences are evident.

Watch the movie “Goodbye Christopher Robin” and answer the questions below.

Classroom activities after watching the movie

1. A.A. Milne was a soldier in WW1, the war to end all wars. Describe the role of the soldier under WWI and the trauma they experienced.
2. How many soldiers died during WWI?
3. When A. A. Milne returned from the war, how did he adjust?
4. Happiness, what makes you happy? What did Christopher Robin want from his parents?
5. Why did Christopher Robin have such trouble with the characters in his father’s books?
6. What was his relationship with his father?
7. What was his relationship with his nanny, and how did it develop in the movie?
8. Christopher Robin went to a private boarding school. Describe life at an all-boys school before WW2.
9. Write a post on your blog where you share your thoughts about the movie, using some of the words highlighted here as your point of departure.

Essay Questions based on “Goodbye Christopher Robin”:

1. The film explores the complex relationship between A.A. Milne and his son, Christopher Robin. Analyze the impact of fame and public perception on their dynamic. How did their individual needs and desires clash throughout the story? How do you think their relationship ultimately evolved?

2. “Goodbye Christopher Robin” portrays the psychological effects of war on A.A. Milne and its influence on his creative process. Discuss how the film depicts the lasting trauma of war experiences and how they manifested in Milne’s life and work. How does the movie challenge the traditional portrayal of war heroes and emphasize the emotional toll of conflict?