'Rupert Bear Annual Cover' By A. E. Bestall

'Rupert Bear Annual Cover' 1969 By A. E. Bestall

Category: Anthropomorphism.

This Rupert Bear Annual Cover, by A. E. Bestall shows a clear representation of how Bestall incorporated anthropological creatures into his pieces of work. He places them alongside real humans and actual animals, therefore “illuminating distinction between existence and actuality.”(13) We know that humans exist but when they are drawn into a world where the main species are half animal half human the book becomes “one of the most imaginative places” (14) as you would never have come across such an arrangement in real life. As you can see in the image above, the main characters express humanlike qualities in their bodies and how they appear to be moving. However this is then balanced with the head of an animal and a more intriguing character is born. To accompany these characteristics already mentioned, Bestall also includes facial expression in the characters i.e. Rupert is smiling, other characters are looking on with an intrigued expression, all traits that make it easier to connect to the story visually, “the closer something gets to human form and behaviour, the easier it becomes to pretend it is a person.” (15) Bestall intended to create “a good role model” (16) from Rupert Bear. By positioning Rupert Bear at the front of the group of characters, it is clear that “Rupert is full of fun, vitality, adventure and courage” (17) all attributes that young children will pick up on. In the image Rupert is talking to a fish which at first glance appears to have no anthropological tendencies, not in the way Rupert and friends do. However the fish is out of the water and is talking back to Rupert. This demonstrating that for a character to be anthropological it only needs to act slightly human, it is not essential for it to look like a human as “the description is in the extraordinary illustrations.” (18)

References:
(13) Pailin. D (1990) Page 38
(14) Murray. A.
(15) Fisher. J (1991) Page 74
(16) Murray. A.
(17)Murray. A.
(18) Murray. A.