Peter Pan - Then and Now
Peter Pan and Wendy Darling are archtypal children of the 20th century. He is a boy's hero as defined by adults. She is a girl whose job is caring for other children. These definitions change as society's values evolve. Peter and Wendy reflect what is expected of boys and girls - even in their dreams.
When J.M. Barrie wrote "Peter and Wendy" in 1911, children were meant to be seen but not heard. Disney's "Peter Pan" was made in 1953, during the post World War II baby boom, when children represented optimism in America. By the time "Hook" was released in 1991, children were actually heard all the time and parents were expected to listen. Whether changing times or the need for a spin on a familiar tale led to the differences, this story of a boy who wouldn't grow up is an indicator of children's roles in society.
In "Peter and Wendy", Wendy Darling is your typical turn of the 20th century girl, expected to help care for her brothers and listen to her mother's bedtime stories every night. It is those stories that bring Peter Pan to the Darlings'. Even though Peter has decided he has no need to grow up, his yearning for a mother is a constant theme in the story. Peter taking Wendy to Neverland stems from that need to have a mother to look after him and his "boys". This also shows the unfortunate gender disparity that existed at the time. Wendy is only going to Neverland to clean and read stories and look after the house while the boys have adventures.
Disney's "Peter Pan" was made during a time when women were homemakers and girls were homemakers in training. Wendy is not brought to Neverland for the purpose of being Peter's mother, but once she gets there she dives into household chores. The boys have similar adventures to those in the book. Adults are evil villians or absent. The main difference between the book and the Disney movie is the expectation in the movie that Wendy gets to be a child a little longer before becoming a fulltime caretaker.
"Hook" is the story of a father finding a way regain the respect of his family. Peter has grown up to be a father who drinks too much and ignores his kids. He returns to Neverland to save himself and his children. Peter succeeds by reconnecting with his inner child and defeating Captain Hook. He is forgiven much the way we forgive bad boy celebrities, after a single public apology.
Just as society has blurred the lines between adults and children, "Hook" blurs these lines by depicting the children as better people than the adults. "Hook" does not change the expectations for women or girls. Peter must become a child to be redeemed, and the female roles are focused on supporting him to become a better person. Wendy sends him back to Neverland, Tinker Bell offers advice and a pinch of fairy dust, and Maggie never stops believing in him. Peter would never succeed without them, but when he faces Captain Hook, he does it without the female characters present. Even in 1991, women do not join the fight.
Peter Pan's evolution from "Peter and Wendy" to "Hook" mirrors the change in the roles of children and women in society. The reader or viewer can track these changes in Peter and Wendy. They please the reader or viewer when they are released because they reflect society's values at the time. No one minds a naughty boy who needs his mommy, and father who doesn't parent, is forgiven if he flies and duels a pirate. But women still miss the excitement. It is no wonder my mother banned Peter Pan.
Peter Pan and Wendy Darling are archtypal children of the 20th century. He is a boy's hero as defined by adults. She is a girl whose job is caring for other children. These definitions change as society's values evolve. Peter and Wendy reflect what is expected of boys and girls - even in their dreams.
When J.M. Barrie wrote "Peter and Wendy" in 1911, children were meant to be seen but not heard. Disney's "Peter Pan" was made in 1953, during the post World War II baby boom, when children represented optimism in America. By the time "Hook" was released in 1991, children were actually heard all the time and parents were expected to listen. Whether changing times or the need for a spin on a familiar tale led to the differences, this story of a boy who wouldn't grow up is an indicator of children's roles in society.
In "Peter and Wendy", Wendy Darling is your typical turn of the 20th century girl, expected to help care for her brothers and listen to her mother's bedtime stories every night. It is those stories that bring Peter Pan to the Darlings'. Even though Peter has decided he has no need to grow up, his yearning for a mother is a constant theme in the story. Peter taking Wendy to Neverland stems from that need to have a mother to look after him and his "boys". This also shows the unfortunate gender disparity that existed at the time. Wendy is only going to Neverland to clean and read stories and look after the house while the boys have adventures.
Disney's "Peter Pan" was made during a time when women were homemakers and girls were homemakers in training. Wendy is not brought to Neverland for the purpose of being Peter's mother, but once she gets there she dives into household chores. The boys have similar adventures to those in the book. Adults are evil villians or absent. The main difference between the book and the Disney movie is the expectation in the movie that Wendy gets to be a child a little longer before becoming a fulltime caretaker.
"Hook" is the story of a father finding a way regain the respect of his family. Peter has grown up to be a father who drinks too much and ignores his kids. He returns to Neverland to save himself and his children. Peter succeeds by reconnecting with his inner child and defeating Captain Hook. He is forgiven much the way we forgive bad boy celebrities, after a single public apology.
Just as society has blurred the lines between adults and children, "Hook" blurs these lines by depicting the children as better people than the adults. "Hook" does not change the expectations for women or girls. Peter must become a child to be redeemed, and the female roles are focused on supporting him to become a better person. Wendy sends him back to Neverland, Tinker Bell offers advice and a pinch of fairy dust, and Maggie never stops believing in him. Peter would never succeed without them, but when he faces Captain Hook, he does it without the female characters present. Even in 1991, women do not join the fight.
Peter Pan's evolution from "Peter and Wendy" to "Hook" mirrors the change in the roles of children and women in society. The reader or viewer can track these changes in Peter and Wendy. They please the reader or viewer when they are released because they reflect society's values at the time. No one minds a naughty boy who needs his mommy, and father who doesn't parent, is forgiven if he flies and duels a pirate. But women still miss the excitement. It is no wonder my mother banned Peter Pan.
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