Peter Pan

by J. M. Barrie

Reviewed by: Nailah Ahmad

Fall 2016

REVIEW: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

ISBN#: 9781503290280

THE STORY:

Wendy, John, and Michael are three ordinary children who live with their mother, father and dog, Nana. Nothing exciting ever happens to them except in their dreams, where they go to a magical place called Neverland. One night, a young boy named Peter Pan came through the children’s window and tells them they can fly to Neverland with him. With help from a little fairy dust, Wendy, John, and Michael fly off with Peter Pan to Neverland where they hope to go on many adventures. What they don’t know is
Neverland isn’t always as happy as in their dreams. Meanwhile, The children’s parents worry if the will ever see Wendy, John, or Michael ever again. Back in Neverland, Wendy doesn’t feel John, Michael, and the lost boys, all the other little boys in Neverland, are safe with the evil Captain Hook, who has been trying to defeat Peter Pan, lurking around in his pirate ship. Wendy tries to take care of John, Michael, the lost boys,and even Peter Pan throughout all of their reckless behavior. Eventually, the three children begin to lose track of the day, weeks, and months and start forget about their parents, their dog, their friends, and even their own lives away from this magical island. However, Peter leads the children through many adventures, such as, fighting pirates, playing with mermaids, and saving princesses. Wendy, John, and Michael begin to learn new things, make new friends, and discover new places on their journey through Neverland with Peter Pan and the lost boys. (256)

MY OPINION:

I first ordered the book thinking it would be easy to understand since I already new the basic story. As I started to read the story I realized it was a pretty difficult to understand because it was written in the very early 1900’s and the vocabulary included many words that aren’t commonly used anymore. Because of this, I would say this book is at a higher reading level. Although the story is meant for a younger audience and not as much for adults, I feel that because of the different style of writing, adults may enjoy the original story of Peter Pan as well. This story is probably easy for most people to relate to because we were all young children at some point in our lives, and can understand why Wendy, John, and Michael, at a young age, want to go on adventures, fight pirates, and meet fairies. The only reason that didn’t make Peter Pan my favorite book, was the use of older words, phrases, and sayings. I had to look up what some of them meant to understand the story more. I would definitely recommend this book to people in eighth grade and up because of the way it’s written and the harder vocabulary. In my opinion, this story, the original rendition of Peter Pan, is much better and more detailed than the abridged children’s version or the Disney movie. I would rate this book an eight stars out of ten. (245)

STUDY QUESTIONS AND VOCABULARY:

FIRST SECTION

1. Why do the Darlings have a dog?

1a. The Darlings have a dog because they didn’t have enough money for a maid so they found a dog that could take care of their children. Mr. Darling wanted a dog because he wanted his family to be like everyone else in their neighborhood. (pg. 4)

2. Which of the Darling parents is more strict and which is more relaxed?

2a. Mrs. Darling is more relaxed and likes to pamper their children, while Mr. Darling wants to have and do everything in a certain order. (pg. 11)

3. Why was Peter Pan so upset with Wendy for asking him so many questions?

3a. He was upset with Wendy for asking questions about his life because it made him realize how different and abnormal his life was from ordinary children’s, and how lonely he was. (pg. 15)

4. Why is Peter Pan so conceited?

4a. Peter Pan is very conceited because he is lonely in Neverland so he can take credit for anything he wants to (pg. 16)

5. Why do the children become nervous about flying with Peter?

5a. They are nervous about flying with Peter because he keeps flying very far ahead and comes back saying he’s been on an adventure. Every time he flies back he seems to forget about the children  (pg. 24)

totting (pg. 3)

tranquility (pg. 7)

Appalled (pg. 14)

Contemptuously (pg. 15)

Lethargy (pg. 28)

MIDDLE SECTION

6. Why does Wendy give John and Michael tests about their parents?

6a. Wendy gives them tests about their parents so they won’t forget about them (pg. 42)

7. What mark does John leave leave on Neverland?

7a. John creates a game with the lost boys to play in the mermaid’s lagoon. After Wendy, John, and Michael leave Neverland, the mermaids continue to play the game. (pg. 45)

8. Why does the Never bird look away when Peter climbs into her nest?

8a. The Never bird looks away because she thinks Peter Pan is going to destroy her eggs, which she left in her nest. (pg. 53)

9. How do the lost boys save Wendy after the fight with the pirates?

9a. They save Wendy by carrying her away on a kite (pg. 51)

10. Why hasn’t Peter been afraid before Captain Hook defeated him?

10a. Peter hasn’t been afraid because he had always beaten Hook before. (pg. 56)

amicably (pg. 37)

ardently (pg. 40)

foe (pg. 50)

hoard (pg. 53)

Guzzling (pg. 54)

                               

LAST SECTION

11.Why do the lost boys think the pirate attack was unfair?

11a. They thought it was unfair because the redskins, who are protecting them, are never surprised by the pirates. (pg. 63)

12. What was different about the crocodile that made Peter Pan curious?

12a. The crocodile wasn’t ticking like it usually does. (pg. 76)

13. Who was the captain when the lost boys were pretending to be pirates?

13a. Peter Pan was the captain because he is the leader of the lost boys. (pg. 82)

14. What kind of clothes were the lost boys wearing when they were on the pirate ship?

14a. The lost boys were wearing pirate clothes that they had ripped to fit them. (pg. 83)

15. What is the name of the Darling’s new child?

15a. The Darling’s new daughter is named Jane. (pg. 92)

unscrupulous (pg.62)

acquainting (pg. 70)

conceal (pg. 79)

lashed (pg. 82)

repulsed (pg. 88)