"ALL children, except one, grow up"
What was your favourite book as a child?
J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, was born in 1860 in Kirriemuir, a rural weaving town in Angus, Scotland, not far from Dundee - where I come from. Peter Pan was my favourite book as a child, my parents and my grandmother read it to me, many, many times. When I was told I had a baby brother, I allegedly declared that I would read Peter Pan to this new baby. Even now, the story of Peter Pan continues to hold a spell although Barrie's writing is very sentimental and at times feels squeamishly mawkish.
This morning, I spoke to 2,600 schoolchildren in London via Zoom, yes, I cannot quite believe that! This feat of technology was organised by Primary Futures, and I was asked by children what my favourite book was as a child? Of course - I answered - Peter Pan...but why? I gave this some thought and looked back.
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.”JM Barrie, Peter Pan
The Llewelyn Davies Family
Barrie’s inspiration for Peter Pan is deeply rooted in his own relationships and experiences. While living in London, he became friendly with the Llewelyn Davies family, particularly the five young boys: George, John (Jack), Peter, Michael, and Nicholas - who he often entertained with stories in Kensington Gardens. When the boys’ parents Arthur and Sylvia died suddenly within three years of each other, Barrie became their legal guardian. These relationships influenced the themes of childhood, adventure, and loss that permeates Peter Pan. The lives of grown-up Llewelyn Davies are permeated with sadness and loss too.
Few children's books have captured the imagination of generations quite like Peter Pan. First performed as a play in 1904 and later adapted into a novel (Peter and Wendy, 1911), Barrie’s story of the boy who never grows up remains one of the most enduring children's books. It continues to resonate with both children and adults, offering adventure, fantasy, and a bittersweet meditation on the passage of time. But what makes Peter Pan so brilliant, and why has it endured for over a century?
The Magic of Neverland
At the heart of Peter Pan is Neverland, a fantastical island teeming with mermaids, pirates, fairies, and Lost Boys. This setting captures the boundless imagination of childhood, where reality and fantasy are seamlessly blended together. Neverland is a dreamscape where children can fly, duel with nasty pirates, and live without rules ... and without parents, a paradise that speaks to our deepest longing for adventure and escape.
A Toy Box Has Come Alive!
Neverland feels as if a toy box has come alive, filled with every element of a child's most exciting daydreams: daring pirates led by Captain Hook, mysterious and wise Native Americans, fearless Lost Boys who sleep beneath the roots of trees, and a magical lagoon where mermaids lounge and whisper secrets. The landscape itself is surreal, dangerous and inviting at the same time, a place where make-believe reigns supreme. Each corner of Neverland is another childhood fantasy turned real, a world built from the pure magic of imagination.
The concept of flight itself is an irresistible element of the story. Peter Pan, Wendy, John, and Michael soaring over London is one of the most iconic moments in the book. Flying represents not just the thrill of adventure but also freedom from the constraints of growing up - a theme that lies at the core of the book’s emotional pull. Remarkably, Barrie could see Peter Pan’s flight before the era of aviation and the great feats of early aviators. This makes the idea even more extraordinary - flight, in Barrie’s world, is not a scientific achievement but an extension of childhood wonder.
The Lost Boys and the Fear of Growing Up
The idea of the Lost Boys - Tootles, Nibs, Slightly, Curly, and The Twins - children who fell out of their prams and were never claimed by their parents - adds a haunting depth to the story - orphans who for some reason know they have parents who didn't want them? This speaks of the idea of abandonment, but also the perpetual longing to stay in childhood’s golden glow. Peter himself is the ultimate embodiment of eternal youth, yet there’s an undercurrent of sadness in his refusal to grow up. Wendy, in contrast, is drawn back to the real world, suggesting that while childhood is magical, growing up is inevitable and, perhaps, necessary.
Wendy, the Acorn Kiss, and the Shadow
Wendy Darling plays a crucial role in Peter Pan, serving as a bridge between childhood fantasy and the responsibilities of adulthood. She embodies the nurturing qualities of a mother figure to the Lost Boys, yet she also represents the inevitable pull towards growing up. One of the most touching moments in the story is the 'acorn kiss' - Peter gives Wendy an acorn as a gesture of love - a token, which later protects her from an arrow, symbolising both his affection and his inability to express deeper emotions.
Captain Hook: The Perfect Villain...has to be an Old Etonian!
A great adventure needs a great villain, and Captain James Hook is one of the best or one of the worst...complete with yellow blood! A nasty elegant pirate with a fearsome iron hook for a lost hand, Captain Hook embodies the terror of adulthood, discipline, and authority, suggesting that the true terror in a child’s world is the looming restrictions of the well-mannered rule-bound adult society. Intriguingly, Barrie suggests in the play that Captain Hook is an Old Etonian - a satirical jab at the British elite, his final words are "Floreat Etona" - Eton's motto: "May Eton flourish" this sent a ripple of amusement through Edwardian audiences. Barrie also openly admitted that Captain Hook was a version of Captain Ahab from Moby Dick, written by Herman Melville.
Hook’s nemesis is not just Peter Pan but also time itself, personified by the crocodile that swallowed a ticking clock. The crocodile developed a taste for Hook after Peter Pan, in a moment of dark humour cut off Hook’s hand and fed it to the crocodile. Now, the creature stalks him with unwavering patience, waiting for the chance to finish its meal. This grotesque irony adds a wonderfully macabre touch to Hook’s fate, reinforcing Barrie’s playful but slightly sinister sense of humour. The crocodile's relentless quest for the rst of Hook is a brilliant metaphor for mortality - the inevitability of time catching up with all of us.
Why Is the Nanny a Dog?
One of the book’s most whimsical yet touching ideas is Nana, the Darling family's children’s nanny, who happens to be a Newfoundland dog. While comedic, Nana also represents the love and protection of parental figures. Her presence reinforces the theme of childhood innocence - what could be more absurd yet reassuring than a giant, caring dog looking after children?
The Role of Tinker Bell "Tink" and the Fragility of Belief
Tinker Bell, Peter’s fiery, malicious and jealous fairy companion, is certainly a character. Her existence depends on belief - a child’s faith in magic keeps her alive. When she is poisoned, the audience (or reader) must declare their belief in fairies to save her. This done well in a theatre does have an emotional impact to even the hardest of audiences. This interaction makes Peter Pan more than just a story - it is a reflection on the power of belief and the fragility of childhood innocence.
Barrie’s Personal Tragedy and the Themes of Loss
J.M. Barrie’s own life was marked by tragedy, which undoubtedly influenced Peter Pan. His older brother, David, died in an ice-skating accident at age 13, and Barrie’s mother never recovered from the loss. She idealised David as forever young, a perfect, unchanging child. This grief permeates Peter Pan - the idea of never growing up, of remaining an innocent figure frozen in time, mirrors the way Barrie’s mother saw David. It also explains the story’s deep undercurrent of melancholy beneath its whimsical exterior.
Barrie’s storytelling reached royal ears both Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret were fortunate as children to hear stories directly from the man himself during visits to the Queen Mother’s family home, Glamis Castle. Barrie attended Princess Margaret's third birthday party and found that the princess was delighting in gifts from Woolworths...which advertised in the 1930's that everything was under threepence or sixpoence.
The Enduring Appeal to Adults
While Peter Pan is a book for children, it resonates deeply with adults. The fear of growing up, the nostalgia for childhood, and the confrontation with time and mortality make it profoundly moving for older readers. Wendy’s departure from Neverland, choosing to grow up while Peter remains behind, is bittersweet - a recognition that we cannot stay young forever, no matter how much we might wish to.
A Legacy That Lasts Forever
The story of Peter Pan has been retold in countless adaptations, from stage plays and films to spin-off novels and reinterpretations. Its universal themes of adventure, freedom, loss, and the magic of childhood ensures that it remains relevant to every new generation. Barrie’s brilliant blend of humour, fantasy, and emotional depth makes Peter Pan a book that truly stands the test of time.
As long as there are children and adults who dream or perhaps write about flying, fighting pirates or swiming with mermaids, the eternal battle between childhood and adulthood, Peter Pan will continue to captivate hearts and minds across the world. And just perhaps, somewhere in the night sky - beyond the second star to the right, and straight on till morning - Peter still flies, forever young, forever free to Neverland.
Great Ormond Street
In 1929, J.M. Barrie transferred the rights of Peter Pan to London's famous children's hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). This generous endowment meant that GOSH would receive royalties from performances, books, and adaptations of Peter Pan, providing an income for the hospital's vital work.
In 1987, fifty years after Barrie's death, the UK and Europe copyright for Peter Pan was set to expire. Recognising the importance of this revenue stream for GOSH, the UK government enacted a special provision in the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988. This amendment granted GOSH a unique right to receive royalties from any public performance, commercial publication, or communication to the public of Peter Pan in perpetuity. It's important to note that this provision does not extend full copyright control over the work to the hospital but ensures a continuous flow of royalties.
This legislative action underscores the significance of Peter Pan and honours Barrie's original philanthropic intent, ensuring that Peter Pan continues to support the health and well-being of children at GOSH forever.
Since Peter Pan's first performance as a play in 1904 and subsequent publication in book form in 1911, J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan has inspired many adaptations across various media, each offering a unique interpretation of this timeless story.
Film Adaptations:
1924: The first film adaptation was a silent movie released by Paramount Pictures, bringing Barrie's play to the screen. Starring Scotsman - 6ft 4" Edward Torrance, "the man you loved to hiss" as the dastardly Captain Hook
1953: Walt Disney produced an animated cartoon titled Peter Pan, which has become one of the most iconic versions of the story.
1991: Hook, directed by Steven Spielberg, starred Robin Williams as an adult Peter Pan who returns to Neverland to rescue his children from the nefarious Captain Hook, portrayed by Dustin Hoffman.
2003: A live-action adaptation directed by P.J. Hogan featured Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan, offering a visually rich and faithful retelling of Barrie's original work.
2023: Disney released Peter Pan & Wendy, a live-action reimagining of their 1953 animated film, with Alexander Molony as Peter Pan and Ever Anderson as Wendy.
2025 Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare is a 2025 British independent horror film written and directed by Scott Chambers giving a very dark spin to Peter Pan, a troubled man after experiencing a horrific childhood, wants to “save” young boys from the terrifying world by taking them to Neverland. Tinkerbell is an obese drug addict.
Publications:
1906: Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens serves as a prequel story, depicting Peter's early adventures with fairies in London's Kensington Gardens.
1908: Barrie wrote a short sequel play, When Wendy Grew Up – An Afterthought, exploring Wendy's life after her adventures in Neverland.
2006: Peter Pan in Scarlet, written by Geraldine McCaughrean, is an official sequel endorsed by Great Ormond Street Hospital, looking into the characters' lives post-Neverland.
Television and Other Media:
1990: The animated series Peter Pan & the Pirates offered new adventures in Neverland.
2002: Peter Pan: Adventures in Neverland, A video game, Captain Hook tears up a treasure map and scatters the pieces so no one will be able to find the treasure.
2011: Neverland, a miniseries, provided a prequel narrative exploring the origins of Peter and Hook.
2015: Peter and Wendy, a television film, presented a contemporary retelling intertwined with the classic narrative.
These adaptations, among many others, highlight the enduring appeal of Peter Pan. Each version brings its own perspective, good or perhaps bad, ensuring that the story continues to captivate audiences across generations.
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