Misogyny In Peter Pan

Looking deeper into Peter Pan it is able to be inferred that it is not a story to be read to impressionable young children. Racism, and violence run rampant throughout the pages of this story. The most noticeable thing in the play is misogyny. Since I first began looking deeper into the play it has shifted my views of a purely innocent boy, who did not want to grow up, into views of a boy who is a racist, a sexist, and constantly getting himself, and everyone around him in trouble. Peter Pan may not want to grow up, but he probably should learn a few manners before being such a huge influence to the lost boys.

The first scene starts out with a description of the nursery, describing all of the hard work Mrs. Darling had put into it, as if Mr.

Why would Mr. Darling want to treat her as if she is a child? She is his equal. He treated her as if she was a child simply because she was afraid to turn in Peter Pan's shadow. Mr. Darling then tells Michael, the youngest child, to be a man because he does not want to take his medicine. Mr. Darling tries convincing him to take it by basically saying I will take mine if you take yours, but blows it off with the fact that he simply cannot find his medicine. Wendy finds his medicine, but he still does not take

Wendy proceeds to help him put his shadow back on and all he has to say it that she talks too much. He does not even thank Wendy. This is not teaching children how to be appreciative in any way. Peter may not have parents, but he is fairly spoiled. Everything is always about Peter. All of the stories he tells the lost boys, and the mermaids are about him.

Barrie expresses the nature of children very bluntly in this play. Especially with all of the violence and bloodshed. The kids do not realize what they are doing is wrong, so they take joy, in hurting and killing things. Or how kids are just able to push off old friends, such as Peter did to Tinkerbell. “By the stories end Tink has long since died, and Peter has no recollection of her.” (Colleen Mondor) That really strikes me, because Tink fought so hard for Peter, and was even jealous of the relationship Wendy had with Peter, and in the end Peter does not even care that she is gone. Along with sexism, and the lack of care for others, there are also very racist remarks in the play. In the play Barry calls the Native American Redskins and even mocks their cultural dances and calls. He also makes fun of the way they