Metaphor in Peter Pan

Recall in chapter 1 when Wendy can’t control her desire to pick the flower. Here, Peter exhibits a similar character trait by not being able to control his desire to crow. While Wendy’s inability to control picking the flower represents the inevitable truth that she will grow up, Peter’s inability to not boast represents that he will be childlike forever.

Peter’s separation from his shadow is a metaphorical representation of his rejection of and separation from the real world. This scene is meant to establish a playful and fantastical tone for the rest of the story.

Throughout the story, characters continuously exhibit a lack of control. Tinker Bell can’t control her light because she is a fairy, just like Wendy can’t control her urge to pick the flower in the first chapter. Such moments are metaphorical reminders of all children’s inability to control growing up.

Recall in chapter 1 how Mr. Darling is described as the “breadwinnner” (bread-winner) of the family. Mr. Darling is a foil to Peter Pan. Mr. Darling keeps food on the table by holding a steady financial job, while Peter does so by chasing birds in the sky. This metaphor contrasts the wild imagination of children against adults’ staunch acceptance of reality.

Peter emphasizes the theme of the importance of motherhood by protecting the nesting mother bird. Mothers are symbols of strength and comfort in the story, something all children, even Peter and the Lost Boys crave.

This embodies a prominent, extended metaphor in the story. When the Darling children left their home in England, they had little worry about the sadness of their parents and continued to not worry about them during their early adventures in Neverland. However, Mr. and Mrs. Darling immediately began to regret the actions that they believed made their children to leave. The difference between the parents’ and children’s reactions is a symbol for how children don’t always understand the love they have for their parents, or the love their parents have for them.

Recall how the crocodile is a metaphor for how time consumes people. In this instance, the crocodile walks past him and Peter is unable to notice anything else. Perhaps this represents how Peter’s only fear is the progression of time.

This metaphor shows how Hook wants the children to lose their imaginations before they die. Recall earlier when Peter teaches the Darling children to fly, telling them to fly they just need to believe. Keeping them in chains and preventing them from flying is symbolic of ruining their ability to believe.

Notice how Peter’s derogatory description of Hook contrasts with Hook’s insults to Peter. Peter verbally attacks Hook for being a “man,” while Hook insults Peter as a ”youth.” This battle scene does not only describe the battle between these two fantastical character, it also is a metaphor for the struggle between youth and maturity.