Families can talk about fantasy books like Peter Pan. If the hook for a right hand was not enough, the pirate seems to have psychopathic tendencies throughout the novel. Barrie intended for death, violence, and gore in his story to capture realistic child-play; to portray the true essence of pretend. Readers will miss the complexity and darkness, as essential as the joy and adventure, captured in Barrie's exquisite prose as Peter watches through the window when the children are reunited with their parents: "He had ecstasies innumerable that other children can never know; but he was looking through the window at the one joy from which he must forever be barred." Your privacy is important to us. It also has a LOT of violence, describing killing and other villainous acts. Wendy is kind, patient, and helpful with Peter, her brothers, and the Lost Boys. He puts things at stake (such as the possibility of death, injury, being eaten, etc. Some examples of these dark and violent images are, like the one you mentioned, the Mermaids in the lagoon and their heartless drowning at Marooner’s Rock, the Lost Boys getting into bloody wars with the Pirates, Indians, and the Pirates warring with Indians, characters at risk of getting eaten by a crocodile, Tinkerbell’s attempt to kill Wendy, and the intense battle to the death between Peter and Captain Hook in the end of the novel. He is also rather annoying at times with his short term memory. Thank you for your support. (Spoiler Alert) I read this out loud to our family on the way to Disney World. The point is, if children are already aware of the realistic nature of their child-play (or generally known consequences), then their reading of such “dark” moments in “Peter Pan and Wendy” should be no surprise, thus this “darkness” should not infer the story as being unfit for them to read. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Barrie utilized for his works on Peter Pan was characteristic of the Edwardian era, which depicted children as devilish fiends and in their raw nature. To a child today, they would most likely view Hook as the obligatory antagonist whose sole purpose is to oppose the hero, Peter Pan. Wendy asks about "spinsters" and believes they "should be envied" during her time with the Lost Boys in Never Land (the term meant women who made clothes). How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives, Participate in DigCit Week with your kid by using curated activities from Wide Open School, Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance, Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning, Set limits for violence and more with Plus. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Children are able to relate to these characters or at times even look up to them as possible influences. It's a bright, lighthearted fairytale about the wonders of childhood and the importance of growing up. Most children would recognize the character of Peter Pan through the animated Disney films and the wide variety of film adaptations of the novel. Browse titles with similar subject matter. Then we have the notorious Captain Hook, who dedicates his life to get revenge on Peter Pan for literally cutting his right hand off and feeding it to a crocodile. ... We read my 5 yr old the book and he loved it. Once a child is a little older and less sheltered they may be allowed to read the original novel considering it still provides elements and themes a child would love. Tinkerbell calls Peter a "silly ass." While these books were being banned and flamed by parents and librarians alike, no one said a word about the television shows and movies that included even more violent themes. Do you wish you could go there? However, maybe you can also consider the character of Peter Pan as problematic as well. Our society condones these types of entertaining materials for children, but strictly cracks down on children’s novels or young adult novels that contain any kind of controversial topics. "Of all delectable islands," the author says, "the Neverland is the snuggest and most compact, not large and sprawly, you know, with tedious distances between one adventure and another, but nicely crammed." What's fun about imagining a place where magic is real and kids can fly? I believe you guys have made very interesting points regarding whether or not this novel is appropriate for children today and I agree with many of them. Although... Classic horse novel has be-kind-to-animals message. It's best in the original language, since the watered-down retellings don't do it justice. Why, after fleeing their families, do the boys want a mother to tell them stories? © Common Sense Media. The only non-child friendly element of this novel is Tinker Bell's constant use of A-word when Peter is being stupid. Why the book “Peter Pan” still frustrates me to this day – Youth literature II, Center for Children's LIterature and Culture. Wondering if Peter Pan is OK for your kids? How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives, Participate in DigCit Week with your kid by using curated activities from Wide Open School, Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance, Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning. Barrie’s “Peter Pan and Wendy” is typically considered a children’s novel, even though, lately, the young adult audience has been enjoying it as well. Peter Pan: Appropriate for Children Today? Parents: Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. But Captain Hook, the evil leader of the pirates, is determined to wipe out the Lost Boys, and especially the cocky Pan. Tinker Bell continues using the word "ass" when Peter "is being stupid," according to a parent review. Growing up is not so bad. Parents and caregivers: Set limits for violence and more with Plus. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. He concocts a plan to kidnap the boys and Wendy, poison Peter, and make the boys walk the plank while Wendy watches. Barrie, Peter and Wendy, Peter Pan.
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