Smokey The Bear Mascot Analysis

1327 Words3 Pages

In collaboration with Roosevelt taking pity upon the wild bear cub and the nature-based values of the 19th late century, the teddy bear became a symbol of childhood innocence.
Once ferocious beasts, bears in popular society now represent a human-like, expressive, docile, creature. Internationally, bears are used for as mascots in today’s society, examples include Smokey the Bear, Coca Cola Polar Bear, Snuggle Fabric Softener Bear, and Kumamon. These mascots are each unique in that they contribute different characteristics to the concept of virtual bears. Smokey Bear was created in 1944 to educate Americans about the prevention of forest fires. Being one of the first bear mascots used in popular media, tracking the physical appearance of Smokey …show more content…

This internal conflict between how society characterizes bears versus the natural behaviors of wild bears is exemplified in the documentary Grizzly Man, by German film-maker Werner Herzog. The documentary analyzes the life and death of Timothy Treadwell, a want-to-be filmmaker, who spent the later years of his life living amongst wild bears while compiling footage of wild bears that aimed at educating the public about bears and how to preserve bears and their habitat. Unfortunately, Treadwell and his girlfriend are later mauled to death by the bears he was attempting to protect. In the film, it is immediately evident that Treadwell’s perspective on wild bears is abnormal; he treats the bears as if they were harmless animals by petting them, turning his back, reading to them, and giving each bear a nickname. However, throughout the film it is apparent Treadwell is fighting with an inner struggle, shown by baby-talking to the wild bears, yelling at them when they get too close, and then immediately apologizing for yelling and professes his love of the bear. In an interview Treadwell states that bears are misunderstood, and that people should not harm wild bears. In one scene, Treadwell films himself in his tent, cuddling with his favorite teddy bear, so it is apparent that the concept of virtual bears has clouded his beliefs about wild bears. In For the Love of Nature: Documenting Life, Death, and Animality in Grizzly Man and March of the Penguins, Jennifer Ladino describes Treadwell’s view on nature, “The fact that he frequently occupies the frame alongside the bears undermines the tendency of the wildlife film to draw a stark line between animals and humanity” (Ladino, 75). While Herzog conveys the message that wild nature is indifferent to humans, Treadwell is

Open Document