The Era of “Boyology”
Writers can’t always predict how their work will resonate with their audience. But Peter Pan came out at a time when the entire culture was obsessed with boyhood (I told you it was a strange time). As a result, readers of the early 20th century appreciated it. It struck a more powerful chord with the upper and middle classes.
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At the time, people were getting paranoid that their boys were becoming too “soft” and losing their masculinity. For some reason, Barrie’s stories helped. This fact further culminated in the book “Boyology” by Henry William Gibson. It’s basically a pseudo-science tone that suggests parents, schools, and other institutions must preserve the “wildness” of boyhood.