Title: Walt Disney's Story of Peter Pan
Year of Original Publication: 1977
In this book Peter pan visits the house of John, Michael and Darling. He chose this house because he knew that the boys believed in him. Wendy would tell her brother's stories of Peter Pan and Never Land where he lived. One night when she was telling the boys a story she told them that it would be the last story she told because their mother and father said it was time for her to grow up. Peter Pan did not want this to happen so he went into their room and told them he was going to take them to Never Land where they didn't have to grow up. So they flew to Never Land and saw the mermaids and the pirates and all of the kids were so happy. He took them to his secret hideout to meet the lost boys. He told the lost boys that Wendy was going to be their mother and that she would tell them lots of stories. Wendy goes exploring with the lost boys and gets kidnapped by Captain hook. He then captures John, Michael and all the lost boys. Peter Pan comes to their rescue and chases Captain hook and his men off the ship. Wendy then becomes home sick and tells Peter Pan that she is ready to go home. So they fly home in the pirate ship.
All of the characters in the story are white, except Tiger Lily and her father who is Indian. As you can see in the picture, the indians are depicted as the stereotypical indian, with long dark hair, feathers and a head band. There are also teepees in the background which also fits the stereotypical idea of indians. Also, the indians in the story are in more passive roles and the Indian girl needs to be rescued. It is a white boy who plays the active role and is depicted as the hero.
The main character, Peter pan is white and the one who holds the power. He is the one who has the ability to fly and the one who makes most of the decisions through out the story, with the help of Wendy who is also white.
There is also sexism that appears in the story. Peter, a boy, is the main character and his job in the story is to recruit Wendy to be a Mother to the lost boys. He tells them that she will read stories to them and so on which is what the traditional role of women is. Women are viewed as being home taking care of the children and cleaning while the men are out working (Neverleavingneverland).
Overall I would not recommend this book. It is very stereotypical with how it portrays the indians and shows children that when someone says indian that is how they should look, when really indians do not all look like that. Also is shows women in their traditional, stereotypical role as house wives and caring for the children. I think it is better to show them women in non traditional roles.
Never Leaving Neverland: A New Look at Peter Pan and Eternal Youth.
http://neverleavingneverland.weebly.com/index.html
