Perhaps this focus on motherhood was due to Barrie’s personal relationship with Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, the mother of the Llewelyn Davies boys who inspired Peter Pan. Indeed, Peter Pan wants Wendy to come to Neverland mainly because she will serve as a mother to his troupe of rowdy Lost Boys. Darling as a central character when reading this book, the protective role a mother plays in a child’s life is highly praised throughout Peter Pan. Michael and his mother (Peter Pan, Chapter II)Īlthough we don’t often think of Mrs. “Nothing, precious,” she said “they are the eyes a mother leaves behind her to guard her children.” “Can anything harm us, mother, after the night-lights are lit?” Barrie would be inspired to create a character like Peter Pan. The only way Barrie’s mother was able to cope with this sudden loss was by imagining David as an eternal boy. In 1867, Barrie’s older brother David slipped on his ice skates and instantly died. Most biographers believe this obsession could be traced back to a tragedy in Barrie’s childhood. Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860 – 1937), the author of Peter Pan, was obsessed with eternal boyhood. Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, “Oh, why can’t you remain like this for ever!” This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up.

I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. Here’s a selection of the 21 best Peter Pan quotes along with some interesting facts about them:Īll children, except one, grow up. Filled with fairies, villains, mermaids, and friendship, Peter Pan remains one of the most beloved stories today. First published as a play in 1904 and then as a full-length novel in 1911, the story tells of Peter and his many adventures on the island of Neverland. Barrie with your kiddos.Children's Books Classic Literature Quotesįor the last century, children and adults alike have taken immense pleasure from Peter Pan, a tale of adventure, fantasy, and never-ending childhood.Īlso known as Peter Pan or, the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up and Peter and Wendy, Peter Pan was written by Scottish playwright and novelist JM Barrie. I hope you enjoy reading these quotes from J.M. What kinds of things do you do that you don’t consider work, even if they’re hard? Barrie mean when he said that you can’t keep it from yourself if you do this? What happens if a person decides they can’t do something? Are they likely to try to do that thing again? Are they likely to try new things in the future?

These are the directions Peter gave to Wendy to get to Neverland. What do they think would be between reality and dreams? What’s the difference between reality and dreams? How does believing in Jesus change how someone views death? Barrie say death would be an adventure?ĭo you think he might have believed in Jesus? What do you think it means to be kinder than necessary?ĭo you know what “just being polite” means?Ĭan you think of ways to be kinder than necessary to your sibling(s)/neighbors/friends?

What do you think the pixie dust is in the world? Below, I’ve listed some questions under each of the 9 quotes to spark a few ideas or give you some conversation starters.ĭo you think you could stop yourself from growing up? One of the best parts about reading aloud to my children is the conversations we end up having. If you don’t have your own copy of Peter Pan this website has many versions to choose from. And, the free e-books on the Gutenberg Project website offer me a library of resources when I don’t have a book on hand. We use read-alouds as a huge part of our homeschooling. “It is not real work unless you would rather be doing something else.” “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” “Second star to the right and straight on till morning.” “Wait for me somewhere between reality and all we’ve ever dreamed.” “To die will be an awfully big adventure.” “Always be a little kinder than necessary.” “All the world is made of faith, trust, and pixie dust.” May your children enjoy their time as Peter. Here are 9 quotes from him, and a few from Peter as well, for you to share with your Wendy, John, or Michael. He captured the longing we as grownups have to go back to those days when everything was simpler, to our Neverland. Barrie shared a magical view of childhood in Peter Pan. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Never grow up quotes peter pan