Good [morning/afternoon], Ms Mak and everyone.
Today, our group is excited to present Peter Pan & Wendy, the story of a boy who refuses to
grow up, fights pirates, and never has to do add math summative practice.
SLIDE 1: Title Slide – Part I: Origins of Book & Movie
And now – to begin – I’d like to start with the very first line of the book itself.
“All children, except one, grow up.”
That’s the opening line of Peter Pan, written over 100 years ago by J.M. Barrie. Peter Pan, the
boy who can fly and never grows up, lives in a world with pirates, fairies, and no exams.
Sounds like a good deal, right?
But Peter Pan wasn’t just a fantasy. He came from real sadness, real kids, and one author’s
wish to hold onto something that was slipping away.
Let’s begin Part I: the origins of Peter Pan.
SLIDE 2: Author – J.M. Barrie
James Matthew Barrie, or J.M. Barrie, was born in 1860 in Scotland. He studied at the
University of Edinburgh, and before writing fiction and plays, he worked as a journalist—
so basically, he was collecting stories before he started making worlds like Neverland.
At first, Barrie became known for his Scottish-themed novels, but he became even more
famous when he started writing stage plays.
Barrie’s life took a turn when his 13-year-old brother David died in a skating accident.
Barrie was only six at the time, and their mother, who was deeply devastated, often said that
David would “always remain a boy.” This became the seed for the idea of never growing up.
This event affected Barrie so deeply that he maintained a childlike personality into
adulthood. People described him as quiet, playful, and imaginative—like the guy in your
group who still laughs at almost everything.
Barrie was obsessed with childhood, memory, and imagination. When he wrote Peter Pan,
it wasn’t just for fun—it was personal. Barrie once said:
“I have never written one word that is not the real me.”
In many ways, Peter Pan was him—just without the flying part.
In 1929, Barrie donated all rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital for
Children in London. This means that every time Peter Pan is performed or sold, the hospital
still earns royalties today. Beyond helping the hospital, Peter Pan became a timeless classic
in literature and theatre, loved by generations and performed on countless stages around
the world.
SLIDE 3: The Llewelyn Davies Boys – Real-Life Inspirations
Next, let’s talk about how Peter Pan was inspired by real kids.
In the late 1890s, Barrie met the Llewelyn Davies family while walking his dog in
Kensington Gardens. He became close to their five sons and would tell them magical stories
during playtime, stories that evolved into Peter Pan.
When their parents passed away, Barrie became the boys’ legal guardian. The boys’
personalities inspired Peter Pan, and one of them, Peter, even gave the character his name.
Peter Pan also reflected Barrie’s memories of his brother David. This shows how deeply the
theme of never growing up ran through Barrie’s life and writing.
So if you ever thought Peter Pan was just another “egoistic hero in green tights,” he’s actually
a mix of Barrie’s imagination, trauma, and his bond with these boys.
SLIDE 4: Timeline – From Book to Stage to Novel
Peter Pan first appeared in 1902 in a lesser-known novel, The Little White Bird. In that story,
Peter is a baby who flies out of his window to live with birds and fairies. (Imagine your
toddler flying off at night—stressful.)
Then in 1904, Barrie transformed this idea into a stage play, simply titled Peter Pan. It was a
hit, introducing Neverland, Captain Hook, and the Lost Boys to audiences.
Finally, in 1911, Barrie adapted the play into the novel Peter and Wendy, the version we’re
most familiar with.
SLIDE 5: Setting & Plot Summary
The story begins in Edwardian London, an era of strict manners and gas lamps. We meet the
Darling family: Wendy, John, Michael, and their parents.
One night, Peter Pan flies into their nursery with Tinker Bell, makes them fly, and takes them
to Neverland—a magical place with pirates, mermaids, and zero homework.
In Neverland, they join the Lost Boys, meet mermaids, and face off with Captain Hook, who
is terrified of a crocodile that swallowed a ticking clock, literally.
The story is full of fun and imagination but also talks about deeper themes like fearing
adulthood, memories, and the longing for home.
In the end, Wendy decides to return home and grow up, while Peter Pan stays in Neverland,
forever a boy. This decision is the emotional heart of the story.
And maybe Peter Pan’s story reminds us:
It’s okay to grow up—just don’t forget your inner child.
I’ll now pass it to Shanice for the next section. Thank you!