It’s often said
that it’s a good thing to keep your inner child alive. This means that one
should foster the sincerity and openness that children exhibit, usually lost by
adulthood. This is very beneficial to one’s mental and even physical health.
British poet William Blake wrote two separate collections of poetry titled
“Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience.” These show the contrast between
a childlike and adult perspective on life respectively.
When someone
reaches adulthood, a myriad challenges awaits them. Sadly, many children are
exposed to difficulties that youth should never have to undergo- such as
bullying, trauma from exposure to criminal activities, and hostile
neighborhoods and household environments. Early life experiences such as these
can sow the seeds that come to fruition in adulthood. When this occurs it often
creates problems in peoples’ lives. This might not have to be the case,
however.
People have a
choice in how they react to and more importantly how they will let life’s
circumstances influence them. A look at J. M. Barrie’s iconic story Peter Pan will be helpful in considering
the approaches people may take in life. Please keep in mind that I am using the
original novel by Barrie for this piece. Please don’t get me wrong, I am a huge
fan of the television series Once Upon A
Time and I think the twist they put on the Peter Pan story is awesome.
However, it is not consistent with Barrie’s work, which is my only point of
reference here.
The story of Peter
Pan takes place mostly in Neverland, a mythical island where Peter and his band
of Lost Boys are in perpetual conflict with the pirates led by Captain Hook.
Wendy Darling and her brothers are brought to Neverland by Peter to share in
his adventures. The contrast between Peter Pan and Captain Hook is useful in
comparing to modern life. Captain Hook is a pirate, which by its very
definition is someone who gains a living by taking from others, usually by
unethical means. Peter Pan, on the other hand, uses his abilities to foster a
welcoming environment for the Lost Boys who are orphans. Both the orphans and
pirates can be seen as societal outcasts in some way. They do not fit a
standard mold. The pirates react aggressively to their situation while the Lost
Boys help each other.
Peter’s
association with the fairy Tinker Bell can be symbolic of him having a
transcendental nature. Tinker Bell can represent a guardian angel-like
character that watches over the kind-hearted, even if somewhat naïve, Peter
Pan. Captain Hook, on the other hand, has no fairy and is filled with anger and
envy toward Peter. To add a bit of complexity to the situation, Hook is seen to
have some admiration toward Pan and even refers to him as a “worthy adversary.”
This can mean that Hook secretly respects the carefree and youthful enthusiasm
that Pan exhibits. However, because he wants to have it for himself he is also
very envious of Pan. Pan’s Lost Boys love Pan whereas Hook’s pirates only obey
Hook out of fear.
The negative
emotions and perspective of Hook are represented by his physical attributes. He
has a Hook for a hand, which in the storyline Peter cut off. Thus Hook operates
with limited functionality in his hand (the right hand in the book- usually the
dominant hand in most people). In place of the hand he has a hook, an object
mostly used to tear and destroy. Pan not only has both hands and full
functionality, but through Tinker Bell’s pixie dust and “happy thoughts” (= a
positive attitude), he can fly. Pan’s flying is symbolic of him being able to
rise (or fly) above the mundane and “adult” (stressful) situations that torment
Captain Hook. Hook does not understand that he can have this by looking into
himself and finding his own happy thoughts. He cannot do so because he is
hindered by fear- symbolized by the predatory crocodile.
Captain Hook’s
greatest fear is the crocodile. This creature swallowed Hook’s hand after Peter
Pan severed it. The crocodile also swallowed a clock, which can be heard
ticking from the creature’s stomach when it is near. The presence of the
crocodile sets Hook into a panic. Even just hearing the ticking causes him
great distress. This is symbolic of Hook’s adult fears and concerns. The clock
is ticking down to his doom, and it’s only a matter of time before he is
swallowed up by the creature. It is notable, however, that only Hook has the
extreme phobia of this creature. Even Hook’s first mate Mr. Smee is not as
affected by the creature as Hook is. This is because the crocodile is a figment
of Hook’s imagination. It is Hook’s insecurities and fears made manifest. Hook
fears the crocodile because it represents the internal difficulties he cannot
overcome. This is a dreadful state to be in.
I suppose what I am
getting at by discussing all this is: keep your inner child and inner spirit of
youth alive, or else you might end up like Captain Hook- fearful and constantly
aggravated. Keep your happy thoughts and let them help you fly beyond the
troubles of the world, even if just for a brief moment, and don’t let the
ticking of the crocodile trouble you.
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