The Influence and Relevance of Peter Pan in Modern Times

[Rosalba]

I am writing a final paper on the impact and timelessness of Peter Pan. I would like to ask you, who have read it, to answer the following questions:
1. What impact has this book had on your life?
2. Why do you think this book is so relatable and so poular after all this time?
3. What impact do you think it has had on society?
Thank you so much for taking time to help me.

[Jenelle]

1. I think this book has impacted me in the same way most other beautiful fictional children's books have done, in that it challenged me to imagine, and to cherish childhood. There are wonderful things about growing up, things that Peter misses out on, but this book challenges everyone to see childhood as a treasure, as something worth holding onto and remembering.
2. I think it's partially because the story is so well-written. It's fun and cute and quite humorous at points. I also think it's because there's something inside us all that secretly wishes we could go flying off with Peter on some wild adventure and battle pirates.
3. Sorry, I've got no idea... possibly my answer to this would be similar to my answer to question #1...

[Rosalba]

Thank you! Maybe I should rephrase number three...

[Lesley]

1. I DO believe in fairies!
2. Peter Pan is one of those stories that got a life of it's own beyond the book, in film and - most importantly in the UK - in panto. That's how a lot of children encounter the story now, and they see Tinkerbell's jealousy of Wendy, and how she's willing to die for Peter - and everyone in the audience claps their hands like mad so that Tinkerbell won't die. Like other classic late Victorian children's stories, Peter Pan can be read by adults, and you can see extra dimensions beyond the exciting yarn, for instance about growing up (or not, in Peter's case). Despite the language of the original, the story hasn't really dated.
3. Impact on society? How can I tell? Though it was one of the stories used in the opening of the London Olympics last year, so the organisers knew it would strike a chord with an international audience.

[Aprille]

Rosalba..I hope I am not late in answering this..
1) I have always believed in fairies..this doesn't make me feel so alone.
2)I think the book is so relatable as I..for one..have been with many people who can be said to have Peter Pan Syndrome..and in discovering this and rereading Peter Pan..I found out..I..am ..Tinker Bell! :)
3)I am hoping the impact this book has had is to help people believe in magick..and that just because we know something is silly or childish..doesn't mean that somewhere ..someplace..it isn't real..

[Kelsey]

1. This book has impacted my life hugely. I like to think of this book as a reminder to never let myself take things too seriously. Yes there are some good things about growing up, as shown by the lost boys choosing to continue life, as well as Wendy, but there's so much to treasure about our childhoods and to remember to continue our silly childish ways even as adults.
2. I think it's relatable because of the fantasy. There's something about it full of wonderment. But at the same time that ache of first love and giving up our own childhoods (I mean doesn't everyone wish they could just go back to being children and that we never had to grow up and take on adult responsibilities?)
3. Unfortunately I'm not sure I can answer this, however I will think some more on it and if I come up with a reply leave it here for you.

[Java]

1. I've had several friends named Wendy, a name that didn't exist before Peter Pan.
2. Watching the daughter change from a sweet little girl to a bossy mom was a role model I DIDN'T want to follow.
3. Societal fads always have vicissitudes. It will and it won't have impacts over time.

[Samyann]

Rosalba wrote: "I am writing a final paper on the impact and timelessness of Peter Pan. I would like to ask you, who have read it, to answer the following questions:
1. What impact has this book had on your life?
..."

I've read the book.

Peter Pan is male. Males never grow up.
That's the impact it's had on me, why it's relatable, and the impact on society, right? Truism, anyway.

[[deleted user]]

Hey, Hey I agree the line, its good day to die, yikes Still aren't the boys still playing at their games?

[Feliks]

1. What impact has this book had on your life?
Not a great effect. I admire the story, and I'm fond of it; but there's many others (either in the same vein or not) which I'm as fond or more fond of.

2. Why do you think this book is so relate-able and so popular after all this time?
It was conceived during an era when strong storytelling counted for everything. It was fine-tuned for an audience which was tough to win over; it was coined in such a way as to be as unique and as vivid as possible. Barrie created a character and an extra-dimensional world which hovers very close to our own and unable to be destroyed by measurements, nit-picking, or pragmatism. The leap from our world into Pan's is effortless. Next, Peter Pan is extremely upbeat and iconic; tapping into the yearning many of us have to revolt against soberness and maturity, rules and codes. The primary story in the tale is a lurid duel between a boy-hero and a scurvy, grouchy villain which doesn't really have to have a finite 'end'--Pan and Hook can battle forever. My personal favorite part of the story (and one which adds to the uniqueness) is the crocodile constantly pursuing Hook. That is a grand touch. The worst element is 'Tinkerbell'. Just doesn't fit.

3. What impact do you think it has had on society?
I think it has cornered the market on the entire scope of the yearning I spoke of earlier. Pete Pan is basically the foremost archetype in literature we know, for the theme of irrational youth succeeding against rigid, hierarchical rule-mongerers.

[[deleted user]]

Heh heh that was a good one kudos to you.

[Feliks]

Oh snap

Someone else has cottoned on to the dumbing-down brought to us by the digital revolution!

Guards--sieze that man!

[[deleted user]]

At least She had a plan to get info to help her with a paper, and not pontificating on a subject to sound informed or intelligent. Where was the net when I had to do a paper on a book that I may not have wanted to read. Having said that I teach and You want kids now to actually read a book. You know the kind made of tough cardboard. That you hold in your hand and turn the page. Alas our poor youth, never to experience the feel and smell of a book in your hand.

[Feliks]

Balderdash. Talk about adding a spin to sanitize someone's deed.

Harrumph. So, I wrote what I did in order to 'sound intelligent'? Gee, who would I be trying to impress around here? You? Please. I don't go out of my way to impress phantoms on the www.

Accusing others of being 'pseudo-intellectual' is always the first thing muttered by the insecure. I can't imagine you're very inspiring to your charges. Most of your reply is sloppily-thought-out gibberish, yet you say you're a teacher? Where's your grammar and punctuation, even?

No matter. If you want to seriously make a claim for the value of the internet over books I'll slice you to ribbons.

[[deleted user]]

Sorry that you thought I was talking about you. I had just been on a site that was full of intelligent banter. One person trying to outsmart another. Its ok to just write maybe wax a little poetic from time to time appreciate the book. Which is what I was talking about the book as compared to the internet. the last line about the feel and the smell of a book. You get nowhere with the youth of today by making them feel what they do is not as good as what we did. They just ignore you. My kids are currently reading "To Kill A Mockingbird" And they are enjoying the book form because I made it sound like fun. I have enjoyed Good Reads so far. People who like to read,no matter how they read.

[Rosalba]

Kevin wrote: "When I had a University paper to write on this book, I did my own research."

I live in Latin America and believe me, it's hard to find people around me who've actually read the book . That's why I turn to Goodreads.

[Rosalba]

Feliks wrote: "Balderdash. Talk about adding a spin to sanitize someone's deed.

Harrumph. So, I wrote what I did in order to 'sound intelligent'? Gee, who would I be trying to impress around here? You? Please. I..."

People, please don't fight in my thread.

[Jenelle]

Rosalba wrote: "Kevin wrote: "When I had a University paper to write on this book, I did my own research."

I live in Latin America and believe me, it's hard to find people around me who've actually read the boo..."

I figured it was part of the assignment to ask people those questions - be encouraged, some people will still give you the benefit of the doubt. :)

[Rosalba]

Rosalba wrote: "Kevin wrote: "When I had a University paper to write on this book, I did my own research."

I live in Latin America and believe me, it's hard to find people around me who've actually read the boo..."

Indeed, it was part of the assignment to ask people. Thank you for understanding.

[Christine]

1. Impact. As I read it well after its time, it made me realize the I needed to read more classic classic children's books.
2. The book, the actual book is not popular nor relatable. Because it has been altered so greatly . Walt Disney changed the story to speak to children his way. Or in the way of his time. The original story is know by few people and fewer children ( if any ). People would be shock if the book was offered as a Disney film. Between Tink's swearing and the fairy orgy etc. It is popular today as an outline for a story. If Disney had not seen it as inspiration for a good script it wouldbe hurried.
3) the everlasting charm of the story is the lack of grownups. It offers independence and validation of the the ideas and spirit in children. Without the fear of being lost. Fruition of the aspirations and intermost wants we all have when young. We grow to see the foolishness of our young dreams.Still, they need to be taken seriously by those who love us. As we are learning to fly.

[Kelsey]

Christine wrote: "1. Impact. As I read it well after its time, it made me realize the I needed to read more classic classic children's books.
2. The book, the actual book is not popular nor relatable. Because it ha..."

I adore what you say for number 3! Especially "It offers independence and validation of the ideas and spirit in children". I know as a child my ideas were not considered valid.

[Emma]

Peter Pan is a big impact on my life. ever since 4th grade(I'm in 9th grade now) I've been obsessed with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. It is such a big part of my life that I constantly quote it. This book has been able to stay popular and relatable throughout time because people love the concept of never having to grow up(I'm one of those people). Most people when they grow up look back one there child hood and wish that they could revisit it, and peter pan not only gives them that opportunity, but also lets them live it forever. society has changed because not only has it made people think more upon there child hood it has made them curious about flying and facing each people as an adventure. "To die will be an offley big adventure."

[Rosalba]

Thank you everyone for your answers! Today I'll take them with me to school for first draft, but I'd appreciate it if people keep posting. I can always add more to my paper, and I'll be working on it for quite a while.

[Alex B.]

1. What impact has this book had on your life?

I don't know, because I just finished it yesterday, but I watched the movie several times, when I was a kid and I remember myself thinking, that I am grateful for having a loving family and that I don't have to fly away. Still, I loved the idea of flying (who doesn't?)

2. Why do you think this book is so relatable and so poular after all this time?

While many people just say, that it's a tale about the inner child, who doesn't want to grow up, I think there is more in the story itself. Sure, the inner child is a major theme, but Peter Pan is not really a metaphor for the inner child. Peter, let's be honest, is just a child, who forgets his adventures. Wendy grew up, but remembered many things and Peter forgot nearly everything. Peter is probably many hundred years old, thinks as himself as young, but he isn't and everything childlike about him is indeed childish and not very positive, if you think about it. The true meaning for me is, that you can grow up like Wendy, while still remembering the childhood and preserve it and let the kids be kids, just like you were.
Children can relate to it, because it is a quite classic fairy tale and adults can relate, because the book isn't online about children, but also about grown-ups rembering their childhood.

3. What impact do you think it has had on society?


Millions of people can enjoy this story over many decades and just like the ending of the book: it will never end. If I had children, I would read it to them and I hope they enjoy it as much as I did (even as an adult)

[Erin]

(1) It's a love story and its a heart breaker. I remember reading it as a 10 year old (and then as a teenager, then to my children, and again for myself) and falling in love with the book and with PP: Unrequited love, a "bad boy", love triangles, and the free-for-all attitude of the lost boys. PP is the boy who was out of reach and the one that got away. He's all things forbidden, for Pete's sake, he comes to Wendy's window in the middle of the night and takes her away. He's selfish, single minded and a thrill seeker, what's not to fawn over:) Perhaps he was the trigger to seeking out all of those other bad boy heart breakers.
(2) Relatable? Because its fun, mysterious, dangerous and a bunch of kids are running rampant against an evil adult that must atone in the end. Its every kids' dream and every adults' memory of a time of freedom from being an adult. This is juxtaposed with real consequences and danger.
(3) Impact on society: Tinkerbell embodies magic and desires and those who identify with Tinkerbell can use her character to signify those needs. PP's character has impacted society because Barre gave readers a touchstone for dreaming and imagination and rebellion. Refusing to toe the line and grow up.

[Allison]

I hope I'm not too late:
1. What impact has this book had on your life?
I did not read this book until I was in college. I'd seen various stage and film adaptations though. I have always loved the Peter Pan story - fairies, pirates, mermaids. It seemed time to read the story. And the story took me away like every good story does. I was transported to Neverland. It fully strengthened my belief in fairies and Neverlands and my imagination. I continue to read this annually.
2. Why do you think this book is so relatable and so popular after all this time?
I don't know if the book is so popular, but the story is. Everyone has an inner child, and most of the time, they like to be reminded of it. Peter Pan is also an excellent story about that time in life just before puberty hits. It has some interesting elements showing even back then, women seem to mature quicker then men though men were still he heads of households etc. The adventure portions of the story are quite a lot of fun, and there's just enough subtext for older adults to enjoy it.
3. What impact do you think it has had on society?
What kid doesn't know Captain Hook, or the idea of fairies. Most images people have of fairies come from their image of Tinkerbell, whether the book description or the Disney version. We even have a "complex" named after Peter Pan! The book is an excellent teaching tool for growing up, but at the same time, for helping people realize you're allowed to be a kid still.

[Saxonjus]

Im in the minority for Peter Pan had little if any impact on me and my life.I just found it tedious with the whole "Im a little boy I want to play but please mother me too!!

Jules