Who is Peter Pan? Influences from the biography of the author J. M. Barrie on the creation of the character Peter Pan

Essay , 2011 , 5 Pages , Grade: 1,7

Didactics for the subject English - Literature, Works

This essay looks into the biography of J.M. Barrie trying to assess which one of the Llewelyn Davies boys had the biggest influence on the character Peter Pan or if on of the boys was Peter Pan.

These days not a lot of people know that Peter Pan is not just a Disney movie and most of the people who do know that Peter Pan was originally a play are not aware that although the story might be fiction the character of Peter Pan is not. This paper will look into different aspects of J.M. Barrie’s life, the author of Peter Pan, and it will show that there were certain experiences that inspired him to come up with the story of a boy called Peter Pan.
It is safe to say that Barrie had two main sources of inspiration, his older brother David and the Llewelyn Davies family. Barrie always claimed that he created Peter Pan by violently rubbing the five Llewelyn Davies boys together and that Pan was the spark he got from them. However, the most interesting aspect is finding similarities between Peter Pan and Barrie himself.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Who is Peter Pan?
• The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up
• Barrie and the Llewelyn Davies Boys
• Similarities between Peter and Barrie

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper explores the origins and influences behind J.M. Barrie's creation of Peter Pan, examining the real-life experiences and individuals that inspired the iconic character. The paper delves into Barrie's personal life, particularly his relationship with his brother David and the Llewelyn Davies family, revealing how these relationships shaped the story of Peter Pan.

• The influence of Barrie's brother David on the concept of a boy who cannot grow up.
• The role of the Llewelyn Davies family in inspiring the characters and themes of Peter Pan.
• The similarities between Peter Pan and Barrie's own personality and experiences.
• The exploration of childhood, imagination, and the desire to escape the constraints of adulthood.
• The complex relationship between Barrie and the Llewelyn Davies family, including its impact on both parties.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The first chapter introduces the question of Peter Pan's origin and the claim that the character, while fictional, is inspired by real-life experiences. The chapter highlights the two main sources of inspiration: Barrie's brother David and the Llewelyn Davies family.
• The second chapter examines the influence of Barrie's brother David, who died in an ice-skating accident. Barrie's attempt to replace David in his mother's heart and the perpetual grief she experienced led to the concept of a boy who remains eternally young.
• The third chapter focuses on Barrie's relationship with the Llewelyn Davies boys, particularly George, whom Barrie considered a son. Barrie's involvement in their lives, his storytelling, and their shared imagination contributed to the development of Peter Pan.
• The fourth chapter explores the similarities between Barrie and Peter Pan, particularly their shared aversion to growing up. Barrie's preference for the company of children and his admiration for their imagination are highlighted, as well as his own complex childhood and the absence of a fully present mother.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key themes and concepts explored in this paper include J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan, childhood, imagination, escapism, the Llewelyn Davies family, the influence of personal experiences on creative works, and the complex relationship between a writer and their inspiration.

• College: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Kathrin Metzger (Author)
• Publication Year: 2011
• Pages: 5
• Catalog Number: V283551
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656832690
• Language: English
• Tags: Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie, The Lost Boys, Llewelyn Davies