EC Reading Notes: Peter Pan, Part G (Ch. 13-14)

Chapters 13 and 14 provide a lot of information that I plan to use in a big final plot event. I am still brainstorming how I am going to wrap up the narrative. I like the idea of a big plot buildup, with perhaps a bit of an unexplained or disappointing ending. But then, the very final storybook story would include the true ending, with a break in the story that returns to the interview between Hook and the investigator. I'm hoping I can work this out in a way that is exciting and sensible.

Chapter 13 involves a tricky maneuver of the pirates to lure the children out of the hideout; they play the Indian drum, which signifies that the Indians have won the battle. As the children begin to filter out of the lair, the pirates capture them one by one. Wendy and the boys are all kidnapped and taken to Hook's ship. Peter is still asleep, and Hook poisons his medicine in the hopes of finally ending Peter. However, Tinker Bell, in an act of love, takes the poison instead. She is temporarily harmed, but is okay in the end. Peter makes an intense statement as he prepares to retrieve his friends: "Hook or me this time."

In Chapter 14, Hook is shown on the pirate ship, the Jolly Roger, along with his crew and this kidnapped kids. We gain insight into his inner thoughts and can infer his previous position from high society in England. He is much too proper for a pirate. However, he and the crew converse with the kids and are about to make them walk the plank, when they hear the ticking from the crocodile. Hook is terrified and seems to accept his fate, when suddenly, Peter appears.

Some of this I will have to leave out in my own storytelling because of the added length, but the climax of my story will revolve around some of these points. First, Hook and the pirates will have to kidnap the kids. However, they will frame it in a different light. First, they will be trying to save the kids and not harm them. Second, if they do indeed use them to lure Peter, it is actually in the hope that Peter can still change from his corruption.

Hook won't try to poison Peter, because he doesn't actually want to kill him. I am still trying to think of a way that could appear as malicious, but actually has no potential to legitimately harm Peter. This would be similar to the earlier case of the cannonball being launched at the kids.

The pirates and kids would get along great, but the kids would understand that they will have to act scared in order to truly lure Peter to the ship. If not, he would know that something is up.

Thus, this portion of the notes ends with Peter arriving at the ship, leading up to the climactic battle.


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