Where Does Paddington Come From In 'A Bear Called Paddington'?

Paddington's origin story is one of my favorite parts of 'A Bear Called Paddington'. He comes from Darkest Peru, specifically the deep, mysterious rainforests where his Aunt Lucy taught him English and marmalade-making before sending him off to London. The book paints Peru as this lush, vibrant place full of adventure, which contrasts beautifully with Paddington's wide-eyed wonder at the bustling city he finds himself in. His journey starts at the Lima docks, where he stows away on a ship bound for England, with nothing but a suitcase, a hat, and his legendary love for marmalade sandwiches. It's this mix of exotic roots and fish-out-of-water charm that makes his character so endearing.

The backstory of Paddington in 'A Bear Called Paddington' is richer than many realize. He isn’t just a random bear from Peru; he’s from a specific community of intelligent bears in the jungles near Lima. His Aunt Lucy, who raised him after his parents died in an earthquake, was part of a group of bears studied by British explorers decades earlier. This explains why she knew English and sent him to London—she believed he’d find kindness there.

The book hints at a deeper lore, too. The label around his neck reading 'Please look after this bear' isn’t just cute; it’s a callback to how explorer Montgomery Clyde once tagged bears for research. Paddington’s journey mirrors real-world animal migrations, but with a whimsical twist. His Peru is a place of towering trees, hidden waterfalls, and marmalade trees (yes, that’s a thing in his world), making his transition to the Browns’ orderly home both hilarious and heartwarming.

What’s clever about Paddington’s origin is how Michael Bond blends reality with fantasy. Darkest Peru sounds like a pulp adventure setting, but it’s grounded in real South American geography—just filtered through a child’s imagination. The bears there wear hats, speak perfect English, and have a marmalade obsession, yet the story treats it all matter-of-factly.

His departure from Peru is poignant. Aunt Lucy’s retirement to the Home for Retired Bears in Lima forces Paddington to seek a new life, and the scene where she waves him off with a jar of marmalade is quietly emotional. The contrast between his jungle home (where he dodged jaguars and painted landscapes) and his new life in London (where he battles sticky buns and tube doors) makes his resilience shine. It’s not just a backstory; it’s a setup for every mishap and triumph that follows.