The Dark Origins of the Boy Who Never Grew Up: Peter Pan

The Same Old (Young) Peter Pan

If you think about it, this version isn’t inconsistent with Barrie’s portrayal of Peter. The difference is that Barrie didn’t look at the story from the Lost Boys’ perspective because he didn’t create them to be characters with their own feelings and perspectives. He saw and treated the Lost Boys as objects in a game the same way Peter does.

Mia Farrow as Peter Pan in 1976 sitting in the woods surrounded by flowers at night.

Photo by ITV / Shutterstock

Having the ability to see things from other people’s perspectives is something that comes with adulthood and maturity. Seeing everyone as pieces in your game of life is childish. For Peter, thinking from the perspective of others is utterly impossible. Barrie’s play and book both make that very clear. Peter represents youth and is described as “gay and innocent and heartless” and no one really matters other than himself.

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