About Peter Pan

Peter Pan is based on a fictional book that explores the wonder of childhood joy and playfulness. From books to Disney movies, Peter Pan has evolved from a black and white sentence in a dusty fairytale to a high profile celebrity cartoon character that is known the world over.

The Facts

Peter Pan is a fictional character of a boy who magically flies and refuses to grow up and become an adult. Peter is estimated to be between 10 and 13 years old, but in the many adaptations he has been in, he is portrayed as being different ages. Peter lives on an imaginative island called Neverland, where he has a host of friends such as his best friend Tinker Bell, who is a fairy. Peter is a part of a pack or group of boys who call themselves the Lost Boys. The Lost Boys also refuse to grow up like Peter Pan and they tend to follow Peter's orders religiously. Peter enjoys flying to worlds other than Neverland to meet ordinary children. Peter Pan is a mischievous boy who loves attention and enjoys playing tricks and jokes on others. This makes him popular, yet the envy of many. Neverland is home to many pirates, including Peter Pan's nemesis, Captain Hook.

Invented

Peter Pan was created in 1902 by J.M. Barrie and made his debut in the book "The Little White Bird." Barrie wanted to invent a character to implement into his books that related to his own imagination of always remaining young, wild and free and to do as he pleased. He created Peter Pan into a slim boy who lives out his days frolicking and playing tricks on his peers and other characters in the various Peter Pan sagas.

History of

The history of Peter Pan dates back to the early 1900's. After he appeared in his first book, many different versions of stage plays were made about him. Many times, the role of Peter Pan was played by a female due to the petite stature and innocent look that Peter needed onstage. Through the years, he was been portrayed in books, on stage and then in the movies.

Evolution

Peter Pan has evolved into many variations in character with everything from being a very small child in the "Little White Bird" to a grown man in the movie "Hook," which came out in 1991. He later evolved into a young teen in the 1980's and1990's stage shows. Peter Pan has always been a classic loved by children of all ages who saw Peter Pan on stage before the television was invented. Peter Pan became an instant classic with the 1953 Walt Disney's movie called "Peter Pan." Peter is one of the top contenders at the Walt Disney World Parks and resorts across the globe and even snagged his very own ride, "The Flight of Peter Pan." The Walt Disney Store has hundreds of styles of clothing, games, toys, and décor that are related to Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.

Features

Peter Pan is usually a thin-looking boy with brownish red hair that is cut in a ragged boy cut style. He wears a green outfit with tight green leggings, simple pointed fabric shoes and a brown belt. He wears a green cap that always sports a feather on one side. Peter magically flies and is in a constant war with his own shadow; which has a mind of its own. He is usually accompanied by his fairy friend, Tinker Bell. In the stage plays, Tinker Bell is merely a light and a tinkling sound. In movies and stories, she is a tiny winged woman. Peter also has a sword that he uses to fight Captain Hook.

Significance

The character of Peter Pan offers a whimsical getaway for children and adults to explore the world of imagination. Touching on the world of magic, fantasy and friendship, Peter Pan gives everyone who watches him a chance to think of what it would be like to be a kid forever. With a combination of Indians, pirates, fairies, animals and real life children to provide him with amazing adventures, Peter Pan will always be a classic passed down to generations to share the wonderment of make-believe.