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The loitering of Peter Pan in the land of Neverland
The original author of Peter Pan was J.M Barrie; a “Scottish novelist and playwright “(1904). The character of Peter Pan may have been based on J.M Barrie’s older brother’s character David, who lost his life before his 14th birthday in an ice-skating accident. David’s brother and mother thought of him as a forever boy. Peter Pan’s story was originated from The Little White Bird that was written in 1902. The character of Peter pan was traditionally played by petite women on stage. Disney’s Peter pan is a Character about who did not grow up. The story begins in the London nursery of Jon, Wendy and Michael darling. Their imagination showed that Peter pan was only a Fairy tale. Soon in the movie, Peter pan visited them, which was a surprise for them, Peter pan came there in search of his shadow. With the help of Peter pan’s fairy Tinker Bell, they Flew To an island in star; Neverland. Neverland was a home for Peter Pan then. The other characters of the movie are tiger lily, the lost boys, Indian tribe and the villain Captain hook (Barrie)
Peter Pan’s original costume in original productions in London had portrayed dark green tights and reddish tunic that were worn in 1904 by “Nina Boucicault”. Birthplace of Barrie exhibited this costume. In the museum of London, a similar costume is displayed that was worn by “Pauline Chase” who played a character from 1906-1913. Early story editions also depicted a costume red in colour, but from 1920’s the colour of the costume becomes apparently green and doesn’t depict weather it is made from leaves or not, it is seen as green later on in Disney’s animated movies. Movies that are based upon the original story of Peter Pan are, In 1953 Disney’s Peter Pan, Hook (1991), Disney’s return to Neverland (2001) and P.J Hogan’s Peter Pan (2003).
Peter Pan first appeared in “The little white bird” which was adult novel was a seven days old baby who had flown from nursery to “Kensington Gardens”, he was taught by birds and fairies to fly. Peter Pan was described as “betwixt and between” a bird and boy.
Peter Pan is a fictional character, a mischievous free-spirited young boy who can fly and never grows up. His childhood is never-ending and spends it on mythical and adventurous “island of Neverland”. He is shown as the frontrunner of Lost boys, he interacts with mermaids, fairies, Native Americans, pirates and sometimes he is shown interacting ordinary children as well outside Neverland. The character of Peter pan has become a traditional portrait that symbolizes childlike escapism and innocence (Barrie).
Peter Pan’s appearance was never described by Barrie in detail; he left it to be imaged by the readers and interpret them as per adaptation of the character. Peter Pan’s costume was made from cobwebs and autumn goes in the play. His character is depicted as Greek God by his name, as he plays pipes or flutes, he is shown as a mythological character of Pan. It is mentioned by Barrie in “Peter and Wendy” that Peter Pan still has his milk teeth, his age is described as 12-13-year-old boy.
Peter Pan is an extravagant typecast of a careless and boastful boy. His character privileges prominence where these claims are presented to be questionable like he congratulates himself when his shadow is reattached by Wendy. His character is also symbolized by the self-centeredness of childhood and is described as self-centred and oblivious. Peter has a devil-may-care arrogance, casual, and is audaciously arrogant when it comes to placing himself in endangerment. It was written By Barrie that when Peter Pan though he was going to lose his life on Marooner’s rocks, he was feeling scared but he felt only one jolt, with a causal assertiveness he said to die will be an awfully big adventure” (Barrie).
The flying ability of Pater Pan is inconsistently explained. Peter Pan is able to fly In “The Little White Bird” because it is described as he is a bird part. In the novel and play, he demonstrates children to pass through the combination of fairy dust and “lovely wonderful thoughts”. In the play “the Boy Who never grew up” it is attributed that fairy dust is necessary for practical to flight reasons (Barrie).
This character is no longer emotional Victorian heartbreak, but an ageless fantasy. There comes an end to emotional weight as well when Peter Pan meets Wendy who has aged a woman who is guilty and helpless, who strongly feels that she should have remained a child for Peter’s sake. By growing up, she thinks she has abandoned Peter just like his own mother did. Lost boys and pirates are killed by Peter without sorrow and remorse, but no emotional weight is attached to these deaths too, it is well sensed that all will get up again and play again as soon as Peter turns his back (Birkin).
Peter pan overall is an interesting character; it does bring some kind of consciousness in children and adults. The author shows the name never grows up or doesn’t have to ordinary chores like children, going to school, brushing teeth etc. In reality, such things don’t happen in fact if person’s life stops it becomes stagnant, according to some psychologists if someone stops at a certain level in life they describe it as Peter Pan’s syndrome. The Character of Peter Pan is never afraid of making mistakes; in every era, people cannot always act foolish, that may cause chaos in society. The author also wants to point out how parents should give space to children, bringing up their imagination, freedom of choice and how should they be directed.
The sparseness that consequences from an untroubled existence, the necessity to grow up and the numerous concerns that humankind façades all feature in the original script. The innumerable descriptions have to generate productions that amuse a younger demography, thus circumventing the sedateness in Barrie’s script, so losing significant material.
References
Barrie, James Matthew. Peter Pan: Or, The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up. Hodder and Stoughton Limited, 1928.
Barrie, James Matthew. The Admirable Crichton; Peter Pan; When Wendy Grew Up; What Every Woman Knows; Mary Rose. Oxford University Press, USA, 1999.
Barrie, James Matthew. Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens/Peter and Wendy. OUP Oxford, 2008.
Barrie, James Matthew. Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. Courier Corporation, 2013.
Birkin, Andrew. JM Barrie and the lost boys: The real story behind Peter Pan. Yale University Press, 2002.