Peter Pan

From the beginning of the novel, the narrator focuses on a mother: Mrs. Darling. She dreams of having children; unfortunately, she must first convince her husband that children are financially viable. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, she gets her husband to agree to have kids. A mother’s role is not in measured in numbers or money; it is rooted in the homely: the house, the stories, the children. When Wendy and her brothers fly away, Mrs. Darling is devastated, but she does not give up on her children. She leaves the window open, awaiting their return.

Peter Pan suggests that all mothers disappoint their children. The narrator never tells the reader what Peter’s experience with mothers is, though Peter mentions a couple of possibilities. Despite his hatred of mothers, Peter must have a reason to bring Wendy, the mother he wants to give to his lost boys, to Neverland. She represents order and structure. She teaches them. She keeps them from making poor decisions, like eating the poisoned cake the pirates baked. She deals in all things homely. In fact, she is never a real part of any of the adventures. The novel explores the theme of a mother’s role, and it suggests her role remains in the home, but that she is perhaps too easily manipulated by children.