Tinker Bell, Fairies and Fairy Dust

Passage: Page 57
Thesis: The nature of fairies as morally ambiguous creatures attempts to blur the line
between traditional archetypes in Childrens stories.
1. Summarize the passage in one sentence.
In this passage it is described that fairies cannot be more than one thing at once;
specifically, Tinker bells jealously for Wendy, is the one emotion she is capable
feeling at one time.
2. Identify words, phrases, images, elements of sentence structure, rhythms, and sounds
that seem heightened in terms of the mood, tone, and imagery they convey.
The word ALL she is not completely one way or the other. For example not all
good, and not all bad. The emphasis brings about a rhythm of repeating the
word ALL. The imagery it conveys is almost as if she is changing colour
completely, when she is mad she would be red, jealous green, and happy or
kind yellow.
3. Analyze the denotative and connotative aspects of these elements. What do they
literally mean, and what do they imply or suggest indirectly by virtue of the
associations they elicit from you in combination with the other elements in the
passage? What is the chain of associations or assumptions that these elements elicit
from you?
The denotative or literal meaning of the passage explains that Tinker Bell does
not have the capacity to convey more than one emotion at a time. On the other
hand though, the connotations and implications of this could mean that Tinker
Bell is a less complicated character in the fact that she does not have as much
depth of character and more simple to understand. However, on the whole, the
fact that she is capable of having multiple emotions if not at the same time;
defies stereotypical character roles in Childrens literature. She can be seen as
neither the villain nor the hero throughout the novel.
4. Describe the effect of these elements. What do they make you feel? Is the effect
ambiguous, ambivalent, paradoxical, and/or ironic? Does the passage lead you to judge
characters or situations in a particular way or, perhaps, misjudge them?
Effectively, Tinker Bell has a moral ambiguity which confuses the concept and
the notion of the hero and the villain. Blurring the line of stereotypical
archetypes.
5. Relate this effect to the point you are arguing, and to your thesis as a whole. How does
this effect reinforce the storys themes and illuminate your thesis? What have you
learned from reading this passage closely and what do you want your reader to take
from your analysis?
Tinker Bells moral ambiguity emphasizes the similar trend in all the characters
they are simply either making good decisions or bad.
Innocence
Thesis: Innocence is a desirable trait, one that were trying desperately not to lose. It is
capable of shielding us from adult reality and anxieties.

1.) Page 31 Peter doesnt know what a kiss is and is too innocent to understand the
meaning behind Wendys explanation.
o It is posed as an adult expression of love which doesnt make sense to him.
2.) -

Peter holding out his hand is the physical demonstration that he doesnt get it. He
asks for it as if it were an object.
- A physical representation of his ignorance, blocks the arrow on Wendys neck. She
needs some sort of innocence to really survive in Never land.
- Shes frustrated with him, but lets him remain ignorant.
- Ill wear your kiss on my neck, the physical objects show that he doesnt
understand.
- She knows what shes doing.
- You dont want to shatter the childs world, so you just play by their rules.
3.) Literally: In the scene, Peter has no idea what a kiss is, Wendy does not want to be
improper, so she does not correct Peter. Afterwards, Wendy gives Peter a thimble as a
kiss, and he gives her an acorn button.
- Wendy is motherly, when she goes along with it. By correcting him on his kiss, she
would be stripping him of his innocence.
- Mothers sew, Wendy is very motherly. The thimble represents her maternal instincts.
When she does kiss him, all he says is funny
4.)
- The roles that they play change throughout the story in regards to each other.
- Acorn button represents Peters wild side. He lives in the wild, and will bring her
something from nature.
- Wendy is very proper, and from London the thimble represents where she comes
from.
- Fact that the acorn saves her in Neverland, its like shes caring his innocence with
her.
5.)
- Peters innocence literally protects Wendy.
- The acorn button is a representation of peters innocence, it protected Wendy from
the adult reality of death.
- Reinforces J.M Barries idea of innocence. The Golden Age
- Peters ignorance is his innocence.
Death and Murder
Pp 52, Chapter 4
Thesis: Due to his innocence, Peter views murder as a game and will never understand the
seriousness of taking a life because he is forever a blank slate.
1. Peter asks John and Michael if they want to have an adventure and Peter suggests they
kill a pirate once the pirate is awake but they decide to have tea first where the boys
inquire about the pirates.
2. The casual tone Peter has when discussing murder
- The image of tea juxtaposed with the suggestion of murder
3. Peter is asking if they want to have tea or kill the pirate, emphasizing the way he views
murder as a casual everyday activity. To Peter, killing the pirate would just be a game
possibly because he never grew up and he only sees it as a situation to either win or to
lose. The significance of Peter saying you dont think I would kill him while he was
sleeping! demonstrates the game where he has created arbitrary rules and wants to
win fairly.
4. This passage creates feelings of shock and is paradoxical as he wants to kill an awake
pirate, not slaughter him. It is shocking how Peter views murder as a game or everyday
activity he equates to having a meal. The effect of this passage shows how as a child
who has never grown up, he is nave about murder and the seriousness of it. As a child
he cares about and values only what he knows, not thinking further than his own

person and desires. Ironically, murder is not an innocent act although in Peters case it
comes from an innocent point of view.
5. The ironic aspect relates to the thesis as it emphasizes Peters lack of basic knowledge
of murder and its consequences. The passage reinforces the storys theme of eternal
innocence as Peter is oblivious to many things and has no character development
throughout the story. The story has the capability of depicting dark adult themes. The
reader can take away the importance for there to be a balance between innocence and
experience as too much innocence and lack of knowledge can have negative
consequences. From reading the passage closely we see the serious impact of eternal
youth and innocence. Peter is a blank slate forever, and therefore will never obtain new
ideas of morality and societal norms.
Mothers:
Thesis statement: p. 88-90
Role of mothers is greater than the role of fathers in this book, women have more power in
this story. Women are necessary, within the book, only groups with only men want Wendy as
their mother. Even in a fantasy world there is still a need for a mother figure to keep
everything together; without mothers there cannot be children.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Close Reading Questions:

Summarize the passage in one sentence.
Wendy is playing the role of the mother by cooking and cleaning for the Lost Boys and
she and Peter get so consumed in their roles that they forget they are even pretending.
Wendy is the only mother that Peter likes.
Identify words, phrases, images, elements of sentence structure, rhythms, and sounds that
seem heightened in terms of the mood, tone, and imagery they convey
Passage has maternal and domestic tones and idealize conventional ideals of what a mother
is
- Kept her nose to the pot
- Favourite time for sewing and darning was after they all had gone to bed
- oh dear, I am sure I sometimes think spinsters are to be envied
- for one thing he despised all mothers except for Wendy
Analyze the denotative and connotative aspects of these elements. What do they literally
mean, and what do they imply or suggest indirectly by virtue of the associations they elicit
from you in combination with the other elements in the passage? What is the chain of
associations or assumptions that these elements elicit from you?
- How mothers are so necessary despite how children might feel towards their
mothers
- It feels like Peter wants a mother without the responsibilities associated with
mothers
- Its a very childlike idea of what a mother should be; playing a role but to what
extent. She inhabits the role the best that she can, but likes to think of herself as
playing she is aware that she is not actually a mother.
Describe the effect of these elements. What do they make you feel? Is the effect ambiguous,
ambivalent, paradoxical, and/or ironic? Does the passage lead you to judge characters or
situations in a particular way or, perhaps, misjudge them?
- The detachment of reality that they have even though they know they are just
pretending
- Its ironic that she embodies a mother figure as that is what she needs and even
what Peter needs; almost like a desperation in him.
- Its interesting knowing what we know about the author and his concept and feelings
about mothers and how this is similar to Peter in that both are not sure what a

5.

mother is, but both may not want a mother, but both have an idealized version of
what a mother is
Relate this effect to the point(s) you are arguing, and to your thesis as a whole. How does this
effect reinforce the storys themes and illuminate your thesis? What have you learned from
reading this passage closely and what do you want your reader to take from your analysis?
- We discussed how the role of fathers is less significant than mothers. Thought that
comes across in other parts of the books, it does not as much in this section of the
book.
- Children have a need to be nurtured. Traditionally motherly influence, which
explains the want for all the boys (and pirates) to want a mother. It reinforces the
idea that mothers are necessary for children to exist.
- Although the book does not necessarily portray mothers as positive, they are
necessary, and in the end of the book its is like Peter starts to realize their
importance.
Sexuality
Page 148
The ambiguity of this passage allows sexual interpretation of Wendy comforting Peter.
Wendys actions are vague of her own invention which leads the reader to feel as if
something sexual/indecent is occurring. This situation contrasts Wendys normal role as she is
usually portrayed as innocent.
1. Wendy sits sleeping Peter on her lap to soothe his bad dreams in ways of her own
invention.
2.Soothing him in dear ways of her own invention so that he should not know of the indignity
to which she had subjected him take him out of bed and sit with him on her lap
How she watches him sleep.
Indignity - treatment or circumstances that cause one to feel shame or to lose one's dignity
Underlying sexual tone.
.. showing the little pearls Shows Wendys endearment of Peter as well as the child-like
perspective from which she sees him.
3.Denotative: Peter and the Lost Boys have placed Wendy in a maternal role therefore she
feels responsible to comfort Peter of his bad dreams. Wendy acts as a mother. Equally
important in this relationship is Peters infantilized role. There cannot be a care taker without
someone to take care of.
Connotative: dear ways of her own invention Something sexual is occurring
he should not know the indignity to which she had subjected him Wendy has done
something she does not want anyone to find out about.
4. The ambiguity of the passage leads to the belief that something is happening that is less
innocent than portrayed in the text. The lack of explanation leaves room for sexual
interpretations. Makes the reader feel uncomfortable, unsettled. Author does not beat around
the bush often; there are evident omissions in this passage.
6. Many different ways of interpreting the text. One spot in the book where there is a very
obvious sexual undertone. Passage shows how much Wendy cares about Peter. It shows
their gaps in maturity and readiness to pursue an adult relationship. Peter is too
immature to understand the type of relationship Wendy may desire.
The Kiss
1) A description of Mrs. Darling seen on page 1.
2) Sweet mocking mouth/romantic mind repeated several times, sweet mocking mouth
and romantic mind are contrasted, significance placed on these via alliteration (repetition

of m sound), internal/conspicuous vs. external/inconspicuous (boxes vs. kiss on the

corner of her mouth), kiss is described as unobtainable,
3) [S]weet mocking mouth and romantic mind suggest sexuality; sweet and
mocking are repeated in her description highlighting those characteristics.
Unobtainability is a repeated theme, the kiss is described as unobtainable, the romantic
mind as a series of nesting boxes with no attainable end. This unattainability means that
there is a heightened element to the desire and sexuality of Mrs. Darling as we are unable
to get to the end (more desire and more unobtainability).
The kiss is described as perfectly conspicuous, it is observable and obvious, which is
directly contrasted with the innermost box that is unattainable and therefore
unobservable. This poses Mrs. Darling as a woman with a vividly internal life that is just
barely glimpsed by the casual observer, but is a persistent sensation associated with her
character this sensation is innocence.
4) Her initial description makes the reader imagine her as more innocent; were led to
imagine her as more of a young woman or a girl (read: sweet) than a mother figure, and
this also allows us to view her in a more sexualized light.
5) The language (sweet, mocking mouth and romantic mind) portrays her as more childlike yet sexualizes her, so there is the idea of the innocence of the kiss but also the fact
that a kiss is generally a sexual act
6) Thesis: The kiss in the corner of Mrs. Darlings mouth represents innocence as both
desirable and unobtainable and it relates back to Kincaids argument from Child-Loving,
that the key interest of Children literatures authors is the constant joy of eternally
violating innocence of childhood.
Childhood and Adulthood
Looking at the last passage in the book: page 206
1. Summary: Compared to the constant age of Peter, Wendy transitions from childhood to
adulthood and her daughter continues the cycle.
crowing gloriously in solemn ecstasy = the magic of childhood/Golden Age which
provides a sense of the fantastic (206)
diffidently , sign hair becoming white = (the loss of the fantastic) common
grown up = adulthood/seriousness and solemnness
tone is reflective (of what happened long ago)
the listing of generations and syntax structure quickens to represent the swiftness of
growing up (207)
ends with block of prose to wrap up the story (206-207)
the last line as a summary to the story as a generalization about growing up
3.
Denotative- reminder of the inevitability of growing up (literal)
Connotative- reminder of the loss of childhood when growing up
- Whether that is understand knowledge, the magic, or understanding
(worldview/perspective)
4.
Ironic- that you dont want to grow up (only a realization after you have grown up), but
realizing that there is an importance to growing up as a child you question why Wendy
would not want to having the magic/ staying in Neverland.
o But as an adult its understandable why the choice is made.
We Judge:
- Wendy- but understand; because it is dangerous to live in that magic, something
sad about not developing
- Peter- something that that seems irrational

5. Thesis: Peter Pan offers commentary on childhood and adulthood through arguing, that
even though growing up is inevitable, adults continue to be aware of the loss of childhoods
ability to indulge in the fantastical through the imagination.
Through the use of close reading we decided to focus specifically on the particular language
used in the novel that helped create the distinction between childhood and adulthood.
Mermaids & Animals
1) Thesis: The enchantment of childhood is not always what you think. The role of animals
and mermaids in Peter Pan showcases a duality of domestication and the thrill of
exoticism. Therefore, this draws a parallel with the duality of women because it reveals
the maternal versus non-maternal.
Summary of passages:
a) Nana: This section shows how a domesticated animal is revealing maternal features to
the children (pg. 4)
b) Never Bird: Very self-sacrificing reveals maternal features as well (pg. 111)
c) Mermaids: Mermaids are beautiful and fantastical but will drown you in a heart beat
(Chapter 8, pg. 94)
d) Mermaids are beautiful and fantastical but will drown you in a heart beat
e) Peter Pan crows not a man, not a mineral, and animal yes and a boy yes
f) Maternal figures: Nana (never had bad intentions towards children, mermaids however,
were two-faces. Mermaids would encourage you to play but with dangerous outcomes).
g) Crocodiles: saves Peter but kills Hook
h) Never Bird pg. 111
i) Nana: This section shows how a domesticated animal is revealing maternal features to
the children.
2) For Nana, treasure of a nurse and a genius for knowing. She treated the children like
puppies (walking with the children)
- Although gender roles do not exist in nature (animals) Barrie found a way to make
them exist.
- For Neverbird, highly maternal features short temper and questioning why they do
not listen to her, and also deserting her own eggs so the child can live.
- Mermaids: mermaids were on unfriendly terms with them definitely standoffish
(intentionally being viscous to children with whipping their tails to splash them)
3) Tinker Bell is gorgeous and friendly but really only cares for peter
- Nana and Mother Bird has the maternal features
- The mermaids again are beautiful and vain but mean
- The more animalistic the creatures are, the more dark they behave and become
(example: drowning)
- Wendy should have woke up the other but she chose to sleep and be undisturbed
4) With the mermaids, you would expect them to be friendly.
- Quite opposite they are beautiful and vain but will kill you instantly (not quite child
friendly in the movie)
- An alteration of origin and mythology to something children can understand more
easily
5) The fantastical creatures are far more aggressive as opposed to the common
perception of these particular creatures. What we learned is really what is stated in our

thesis (we discussed heavily on maternal features and how animals and humans do not
have the typical characteristic traits that children are commonly relate to).
- The more humanoid they more distainable they can be, which tends to be unique to
Peter Pan for humanistic is more friendly and animalistic is far more friendly.