“Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning. ”
While rereading this classic there were two things I noticed:
1. If I didn't reference the footnotes, I was lost.
2. This is so not a children's story.
OMG! The footnotes are extensive. It's times like this that I am glad I own a Nook. One click and I can easily view the footnote so I am not totally lost in the story. I am assuming that a children reading this book when it came out would maybe have a better understanding of the references and language used. But children growing up today ... no way. It would take too much effort. Luckily, thanks to The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, I didn't have to look everything up. Three cheers for Hollywood!
Thanks to happy go lucky renditions of this story, I never realized how dark it really is. Everyone is killing someone or some group throughout the story. That's right, children are killing people. As soon as these kids go to Neverland morality goes right out the window. At one point the narrator states that Wendy never knew to believe Peter's stories of fights until she went outside the tree house and saw whether there was a body. Because apparently, Peter brought his conquests home and left them on the porch--like a cat offering a gift. Can you image getting up in the morning and doing a daily outside body check? Considering she was supposed to be the mother figure, I would think she would have some reproach. But to Wendy it appears the boys actions were natural and expected--and worthy of motherly praise.
Speaking of mothers, that is probably the best part of the book. The emphasis of needing a mother figure and how deep and unwavering a mother's love is. I love how Mrs. Darling keeps the window to the nursery open after the children left. She had no idea whether they would return or not. But she had hope and kept everything together when her husband fell apart. I admire that strength and devotion.
I might look in to the other Peter Pan stories. If only to see if his laissez-faire attitude changes and his memory improves. I personally would not enjoy spending time with an individual that forgets me every time I am out of the room. But that must be a side effect of not growing up. Who has time to form relationships and bonds when there are pirates to battle and mermaids to play with? Imagination is a beautiful thing and no child should ever have to give it up. But growing up doesn't mean you stop visiting Neverland. You just make sure the bills are paid before taking the trip.
I talked about it in my post, but Wendy is not a good mother figure. She doesn't know what its like to be a mother so of course she just lets the boys do whatever. I also doubt she could stop Peter from doing what he wants anyways.
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