h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I could never figure out whether Hobbes was imaginary or whether he just appeared to be a toy when anyone else saw him. He sometimes does things of his own accord, so it doesn't seem possible that he wasn't anything more than a toy. It's like Calvins duplicates doing things, and the 'killer deranged mutant snow-goons' replicating themselves. What do you think?

good question!
It does appear that he is just a toy that Calvin sees as something more-
but maybe he's a kind of Bagpuss being!
Whatever he is-I love him!

I think what Waterson was trying to achieve with Hobbes was two different versions of reality. If you read the 10th anniversary special, he notes that "Calvin sees Hobbes one way, and everyone else sees Hobbes another way." It's like a metaphor for life, no two persons realities are ever identical, which answers the point about Hobbes doing things of his own accord. He would do something, Calvin would see him do it but no one else would - what they see are the results because, in their realities, Hobbes doesn't exist as a living entity. "I show two versions of reality, and each makes complete sense to the participant who sees it"

I, personally, would love to have a reality where a 5 foot tiger was smarter than me...

and a cute, cuddly best friend tiger at that!


from Primord-who wil give anyone who leaves a message at my Basil
Rathbone entry a

I think I read on the official website that Bill Watterson really has no desire to state catagorically whether Hobbs was real or not. I think that as you say the idea is that we have the dual-perception of reality whereby Hobbs can be the cool-headed voice of reason as Calvin unleashes his madcap schemes and diatribes against the injustice of being a kid. I think that looking for the strings on the puppets always kills the enjoyment of the show. So Calvin sees Hobbes as a "real" tiger and the rest of the world sees him as a stuffed toy, its all part of the bizarre world of childhood imagination that the strip deals with so well. Personally I love the look of indignance on Calvin's face when he blames Hobbes for something and is outraged when nobody else believes him.

Hobbes is the most gorgeous toy one could ever have! But it's up to you to decide whether he is real or not. I mean seriously what would be smarter a six year old boy or a five foot tiger?

true.

Hobbes is gorgeous-in both his guises.

Especially when he's wearing a tie, it would seem.

But Calvins even cuter when he transmogrifies himself into a tiger.

You know, writing is abit like Calvinball or science: you can always define new things, and they're never totally real. Hobbes doesn't have to be either alive or toy: he is both just because the author said so.

back when i was a kid, i had a stuffed toy dog i named 'krypto' and he could fly. yeah, i had to throw him, but the damn dog could fly. hobbes is as real as those of us who believe.

Like Schroedinger's cat, if you try to figure it out by looking too closely, you may end up killing the fantasy. Let it be. Hobbes is Hobbes.