EC Reading Notes: Peter Pan, Part D (Ch. 7-8)

Quite a lot happens in these chapters of Peter Pan!

First, Wendy and her brothers begin to make their homes on the island of Neverland. Peter makes accommodations for them, and they soon have almost regular lives. Wendy serves as the mother of the clan, and her brothers are incorporated into the group of Lost Boys. They undertake many exciting adventures!

In addition to the tales of the kids, we also see more of Captain Hook in these chapters. He is disappointed to learn that Peter and the Lost Boys have gained a mother, and in fact, the other pirates are disheartened to hear about this as well. They decide that they must do what they can to retrieve Wendy so that she can be their mother instead.

Through a turn of events, there is a short and intense battle between the boys and the pirates in the lagoon. Peter and Hook fight, and Hook's unfairness catches Peter by surprise. He and Wendy are injured, but Hook has to flee because of the danger presented by the crocodile. At this point, Peter contemplates that dying would be an awfully big adventure.

I think that I could utilize some of the parts as an introductory portion of my next story. I could establish the regular lives of Peter, Wendy, and the Lost Boys (including the Darling brothers) much as the original story does, but by incorporating themes about the innocence of the children and the corruption of Peter. This battle between Peter and the pirates could be the initial attempt of Hook to save the children from Peter's grasp. I will need an explanation of his interactions with the crocodile, however.

(Perhaps Peter's contemplation of death resemble something close to a change of heart, in which he realizes his own corruption and a subconscious desire to return to the innocent imagination of Neverland?)

This interaction will set the stage for the future mission of Hook and the pirates to try and "poison" Peter as well as "capture" the Lost Boys. This is how the original tale describes these actions, but in the retelling, they will take on an entirely different meaning.


Bibliography:
"Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie - online link

Image Information: Peter Pan and Captain Hook, with the moon and Neverland in the background.
Link: Wikimedia