Compared to the Disney cartoon, or any other previous attempt to represent this story theatrically, this version stands as a hallmark of perfection. Some of the special effects are a bit excessive, perhaps, but it remains an outstanding production. The "Peter Pan" motif is archetypal, in Jungian terms, because it speaks to that paradox of human development concerned with change. Clinging to childhood fantasies is a natural part of life. We see it in adults who try to preserve their youth by snapping their fingers to the music, or by continuing to play the same games they favored as children. Peter Pan, however, is a rather tragic character, who by never growing up, ends up alone, and with nothing to look forward to but a world of pretend.
Contrary to what some may think, Peter Pan is not about everyone's secret dreams. As an archetype, Peter Pan represents the symbol of remaining the same. In contrast, the lessons of childhood are about creativity and growth. The objection to adulthood is that adulthood doesn't change. Therefore, and ironically, Peter Pan represents the opposite of youth: not changing, not growing, not doing anything new. He has an old person's mind in the body of a boy. He is stuck in a rut and unwilling to change. Wendy, on the other hand, represents the true child. She wants the feeling and love that an old man's brain in a young boy's body cannot give. It isn't that he doesn't want to grow up, therefore, but that his unwillingness to grow has already made him too old.
Contrary to what some may think, Peter Pan is not about everyone's secret dreams. As an archetype, Peter Pan represents the symbol of remaining the same. In contrast, the lessons of childhood are about creativity and growth. The objection to adulthood is that adulthood doesn't change. Therefore, and ironically, Peter Pan represents the opposite of youth: not changing, not growing, not doing anything new. He has an old person's mind in the body of a boy. He is stuck in a rut and unwilling to change. Wendy, on the other hand, represents the true child. She wants the feeling and love that an old man's brain in a young boy's body cannot give. It isn't that he doesn't want to grow up, therefore, but that his unwillingness to grow has already made him too old.
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