EC Reading Notes: Peter Pan, Part H (Ch. 15-16)

These chapters contain the ending of the battle with Hook, and lead into the return of the Darlings to their home in London. This battle with the pirates will also be involved in my narrative, but much as previous events, their explanation will be completely different.

In Chapter 15, Peter begins making his way toward the pirate ship in order to save the kids and battle Hook. He sees the crocodile on the way, and imitates his ticking noise. Though accidental, this trick gives him the upper hand when he arrives at the pirate ship. Despite this being a "children's story," Peter murders several pirates upon arriving at the ship. He hides out in the main cabin, while Hook sends different people in to investigate the mysterious intruder. He then sends the kids in, and Peter frees them before slyly taking Wendy's spot in the shackles.

Hook prepares to send Wendy overboard in order to absolve the bad luck that girls bring, when he suddenly discovers that Peter has replaced her. The two main characters, Hook and Peter, then begin a skilled and fairly even sword match. At one point, Peter stabs Hook through the ribs, but then allows him to keep fighting.

During the fight, Hook asks Peter, "Who are you?"
Peter responds, "I'm youth, I'm joy!"
I would like to include this quote, or some slightly altered version, in my narrative.

Eventually, Hook ends up on the side of the ship, and Peter kicks him into the open jaws of the crocodile. Thus, Peter and the kids are victorious over Hook and the pirates.

In Chapter 16, we return to a snapshot of the Darlings, who have remained hopeful regarding the return of their children. Peter returns to their house to shut the open window, in hopes of deterring the Darling children from a long-awaited homecoming. However, he sees Mrs. Darling crying and leaves the window open that the kids may return. Not long after, Wendy and her brothers arrive back, and nestle up in their beds, waiting for their mother to check on them. Peter watches Mrs. Darling embrace her children.

My story will incorporate the big climactic battle between Peter/the children and Hook/the pirates. However, as previously mentioned, this will be framed in a different way. By now, the children have sided with Hook and understand that Peter is corrupt. Because they continue to act as if they are clueless and afraid, Peter remains in the dark. Peter does not kill anyone when he arrives, and Wendy plays along when he takes her spot, hoping that Hook will be able to convince him of his own corruption.

This leads into the great fight between Peter and Hook. I want to include some of the original dialogue, because I think that this can have a big impact. Towards the end of the fight, Hook will give Peter a chance to change his ways, much as with what happened when he lost his hand in the first place. He will be wounded, as always happens, but this is representative of him being a sort of sacrificial figure. He is willing to take the pain with the hope of saving Peter.

After wounding him Peter returns to the children, in hopes that they will leave the ship with him. They cannot bring themselves to be honest with him, but ask to return home. Peter disagrees, and flies off in anger. The pirates help the kids in returning home, instead of Peter helping them. (This might change, just a rough brainstorm).

This will creatively wrap back around, as Peter recovers from his anger, a little more aware of his faults, but still not prepared to give up his quest for power. The cycle repeats itself when he returns for Wendy's children.

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