Peter Pan

Sir James Matthew Barrie. Scottish playwright, novelist, short-story writer, biographer, and author of juvenile fiction. Although he wrote more than forty plays and dozens of short stories, novels, and magazine articles, Barrie is best known today for a single creation: the tale of Peter Pan, which he told in various forms in stories, novels, and most notably the play Peter Pan (1904). The play has been staged throughout the Western world, particularly in Britain and America, where it has been nearly continuously performed since its first production. Part fantasy, fairy tale, adventure story, and pantomime, Peter Pan has been described as a modern myth in its archetypal treatment of childhood innocence, separation, and death, and Barrie has been compared favorably to Lewis Carroll and Hans Christian Andersen for his creation of one of the most popular children's works ever written. With the dramatization of Peter Pan in 1904, Barrie produced "that terrible masterpiece" as Peter Llewelyn Davies later termed it. Joining the charismatic hero in the play are Wendy, John, and Michael Darling; their parents, the loving Mrs. Darling and her befuddled and somewhat childish husband; Nana, the Newfoundland dog who acts as the family's nanny; assorted fairies, most notably Peter's devoted companion Tinker Bell; the Lost Boys; Indians and pirates; and Peter's nemesis, the villainous Captain Hook. Peter Pan enters the Darling nursery looking for his lost shadow. Wendy offers to sew his shadow back on and, in return, Pan offers to fly Wendy and her two brothers to Never Land. Once there, Wendy assumes the role of mother/wife to Peter and the Lost Boys, and the Darling children become immersed in a series of thrilling adventures. Captain Hook becomes jealous of Wendy's attentions toward Peter and kidnaps her to be his mother. Peter rescues Wendy and vanquishes Hook. The children return home to London, but Peter chooses to remain in Never Land and remain forever young.