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67 pages 2 hours read

J. M. Barrie

Peter Pan

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1911

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Essay Topics

1.

Childhood is often seen as a time of innocence. However, Peter commits several acts that cannot be considered innocent, including killing Captain Hook. In what ways is Peter no longer the child he wanted to be forever? Explain.

2.

Wendy fears that she will forget her parents, and forces her brothers to describe in detail what they remember about them. How does her fear affect the lost boys? Is the influence good or bad?

3.

Wendy’s daughter—and her granddaughter after her—ends up going to the Neverland with Peter for spring cleaning. What might this signify and why is it important that Peter’s comings and goings are inconsistent?

4.

Wendy is one of the only female presences on the island, but the narrator also notes Hook’s feminine qualities. What do Hook and Wendy have in common, and does it give them an advantage over the other people on the island?

5.

There appear to be few adults on the island. What does the Neverland represent and why is it mostly inhabited by children? Explain.

6.

Despite Peter Pan’s cruelness, he dislikes fighting without honor. Is his honor a childish trait or does it go deeper. Describe in detail.

7.

Peter adamantly proclaims that he does not like mothers, yet he sees some need to bring Wendy to the island to act as a mother. Why is it important to Peter to bring a mother to the island, and why do you think he dislikes them?

8.

There are several references to birds throughout the novel. What do you think these reference alludes to, and how do they relate to the broader themes in the novel?

9.

At one point, Peter fears he will die. Instead of getting upset, he merely wonders if death is going to be a wondrous adventure. Why might death be less frightening to Peter than growing up?

10.

Wendy’s parents constantly worry about numbers: the number of children, the amount of money they have, and so on. Does money signify something different to make-believe, and if so, what might it represent?

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