On the walk to my car after class today I pondered a question that centered as the focus of our class discussion but was never blatantly asked: What would life be like if children never had to grow up? Yes, I know that Peter Pan may not be the most idealized version of a child permanently stuck in the innocent joys and innocence of children but he did challenge me to wonder what my life would be like if I never grew up. What would you be like if you never matured out of the age range of 5-8? Don't you hear people all the time wish they were pack in Kindergarden taking naps, enjoying recess and living the life free of "adult" worries? I believe J.M. Barrie is challenging his readers (adults and children alike) to fantasize and question what their lives would be like if, like Peter Pan, they did not have to grow up.
I have plenty of days where the idea of being a child again seems more than appealing. As children grow up and battle through difficult situations and sad experiences, they enter into a world much less sympathetic and much more problematic. Each day of a child's life brings challenges that shape their beliefs and ultimately the adult person they will evolve into. As children, individuals are able to live life without the obvious adult dilemmas (job, money, taxes, significant others, etc.), as well as a life encouraged to dream, image, question and ponder. For me, the idea of permanently living at age 6 initially seems awesome, but once I really think about it, it would be the cruelest punishment. However, I have to take into consideration the fact that I do know what life beyond age 5 or 6 is like so, obviously, the thought of never growing up scares me. But after hearing Shawn (sp?) and Mary's "children's" perspectives today in class, young children reading Peter Pan would think living his lifestyle permanently as a child is much more appealing than I would.
Barrie's portrayal of Peter Pan living his entire life as a child seems like a dream to some readers, while to others it seems like a nightmare. Two completely different perspectives on the subject forces readers to evaluate why they hold the perspective that they do on this issue. Would young children not want to grow up because they are so happy being a child or because they fear what being an adult will be like from watching the adults around them? If Peter Pan's inability to remember his friends, loved ones and important experiences are not enough to convince young readers to look forward to the life journey ahead of them, take Woody Harrelson's advice - "A grownup is just a child with layers on."
Purpose for Imaginative Literature
14 years ago
I wonder if children reading this book do, in fact, see any sadness in Peter’s permanent childhood. The way it’s characterized at the end is definitely with a portion of sadness that this little boy is destined to forget everyone he ever loved. I don’t know if anyone asked Mary or Sean/Shawn which they would choose, growing up or always staying a kid, but I kind of wished we had. This book certainly doesn’t present a very favorable picture of adulthood, what with the pirates and the dysfunctional relationships of the Darling parents. And I guess really, adulthood is pretty boring (especially from the view of a child) compared to flying around Neverland and having adventures with the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily. Then again, as you said, the idea of staying in that rut of arrested development for the rest of time isn’t the most appealing either to people that know what its like to grow up. (Also, a tangent: if Peter doesn’t age, does that mean he is essentially immortal? I suppose he might die by accident of by an injury, but otherwise? Hmm…)
ReplyDeleteI agree that Barrie might be challenging adult readers to take a look at their adult lives and appreciate, even though they may wish sometimes that they could be a child forever. I often say that I wish I could be young again, but I am fortunate enough to have brought the best part of childhood with me. I still have my "childlike essence." Maybe Barrie is trying to suggest that we should try to find a happy medium between being a reckless child and an uptight adult.
ReplyDeleteI was talking to friend the other day about how horrible it would be to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. You would slowly lose your memories and forget your loved ones. This dreadful disease is similar to what Peter Pan experiences without even giving second thought to it. The ability to grow up and remember special events like your first job, your wedding day, the birth of your children, and other special memories give meaning to life. Without the ability to remember and mature the point of life would be questioned.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think that Barie might be trying to challenge his readers to take a look at their lives as adults and appreciate them and also look back fondly on the days of their youth. Sometime I wish I was young again and to be able to experience life with almost no big pressures. However there are parts of my childhood I would not want to relive. I'm grateful for the memories I have of my childhood and am looking forward to more memories to come.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that children see any sadness in this book. I did not think the book was dark until I read it these past weeks. When I was little I thought Peter was amazing and it would be great to live the rest of my life like he did. I guess I was wrong. Because Peter is stuck in this mindset he does miss out on a lot of things in life. I like the comparison to Alzheimer's disease. This makes the story of Peter Pan even sadder.
ReplyDeleteI think Barrie's Peter Pan is a great representation of the saying "the grass is always greener on the other side." Yes, of course we would all love to zero responsibilities, nap whenever, play whenever, etc., but this lifestyle would get old. Older individuals who wish they were still young only do so when their adult life is becoming burdensome and then they eventually have a good day and realize how grateful they are to have experienced childhood, have the memories from childhood, but to now be experiencing a whole new adventure in life. I'm in a constant battle with myself about whether I want to grow up. Part of me wants to be 21 forever, but another part can't wait for what the future has in store. I think that Barrie just wants to show the good and bad of both sides - being young and getting older. Also, I think we tend to forget that age is just a number.
ReplyDeleteYou bring a great point up, and how I do love the Toys R Us theme song, don't parents essentially get to be kids again when they have children. Just think, you get to play with even more awesome toys than we had AND you get to see a child evolve and change right before your eyes. I think that being a parent will be WAY more fun than being a kid. Oh and we can read! Which let's face it, we all obviously love to read!
ReplyDeleteI like the focus of your post! I think it is an interesting continuum: what children think about growing up and what adults think about being children. I wonder how much we tend to idealize our past and how much we choose to forget. What one of us did not do things that were strange and unacceptable innocently? When did we become indoctrinated into our social norms? I think it is amusing that Barrie says that Wendy knew she would grow up when she was only 2! I wonder if Barrie is suggesting that growing up is a conscious realization. For instance, how did Peter Pan know he was not going to grow up? Is he putting up a wall to keep out social norms or is Wendy (and are we) putting up a wall to forget what it felt like to be a child? I think Barrie's unique, albeit odd, relationship to children places him in the role of emissary between these two perspectives. The line is muddy at best, but we can begin to unpack the continuum of childhood-adulthood views.
ReplyDeleteI have had that thought so many times in life that I don't want to grow up. When life gets difficult in stressful momentarily I wish I was that innocent kid again. However I always come back to embracing my life even with its perils. For growing up is learning and experiencing life. As a child you don't fully understand the world around you.
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