Article Review : ' The Magic Pudding ' Essay

When readers read a story written by an author they will usually think that the author likes to read books and is what led the author to writing a book. William Goldman said, “As a child, I had no Interest in reading” (Goldman 3), this can lead readers to imagining the author as a young child rather than an adult not wanting to read a book. When Readers imagine the author as a young child the image imagined can give a better sense of how the author felt as a young child. The imagination of a child giving the reader a picture to think about is less complex than that of a adult giving a reader a picture to think about.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world”-(Albert Einstein). Imagination is one of the varieties of themes that are introduced in Peter Pan. It is demonstrated in the novel in an assortment of ways from the children’s actions to Neverland itself. When you are a child imagination encircles the world like Albert Einstein said, and when you are young your imagination is more vibrant. It also configures as you start to matriculate and start realizing reality. In J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, the theme of Imagination is illustrated by characters, events, and symbols.

Children’s literature has existed for as long as there have been stories to be told to children. Stories, books, songs, poems are all made for children. Children’s literature does not have a definite definition of what it is; basically, it is anything a child reads (Lerer, 2008). Children begin to learn what reading and writing are used for before even knowing how the system works. Children recognise the function of written language by seeing examples of written language that are being used around them. Many children know the difference between reading and talking, they are aware that written language is used to do things in this world (Emitt, Zbaracki, Komesaroff and Pollock, 2015). Quintilian, John Locke, Saint Augustine and Doctor Seuss speculated on the ways children learn the Australian language and learn about their lives from literature (Lerer, 2008). In fact, Lerer states that “the history of children’s literature is inseparable from the history of childhood, for the child was made through texts and tales he/she studied, heard and told back,” (2008, p.1). Children’s literature nurtures an understanding of narrative structures and visual images played in storytelling, this helps develop

The idea of motherhood is a major theme portrayed in this novel. Motherhood is having a child of your on and raising tht child to become the best they can be. Being there to support and love them when ever they need you to. J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan is a children’s story about a boy who never wants to grow up and become an adult.

Throughout the book, the narrator refers to his readers as “my dear young readers” and “children,” as yet another way to exude control over the readers. The narrator uses endearments such as “But as for you, my dear young readers…” (6) and “But, my dears,…” (22) as a form of power. In his own own life, he feels powerless due to the tight hold the government has over his life. He feels stuck in a continuos cycle, repeating the same day over and over, with no control over his life, therefore he exerts the little power he has onto his readers. Children symbolize innocence and naiveness, so when the narrator refers to his readers as “children” he feels powerful. Although the readers could be adults, by calling them children he feeds his ego, making himself feel “bigger” than his readers in a world where he is at the bottom of society.

This is demonstrated through Mr Barrie’s experiences with Peter who he feels is growing up too fast due to the death of his father and the deteriorating condition of his mother. His rapid mental growth, through loss of innocence, and hence lack of imagination are represented in the scene where he tears down the curtains of his play. A hand held camera is used as it mimics Peter’s adult-like anger which like the motion of the camera is quick, sharp, and erratic. By seeing the polar extreme of lack of imagination in a child we are able to discover the importance of imagination for both children and adults. Barrie’s opinion of retaining imagination is expressed when he says that “Little boys should never be sent to bed.

Mother Wendy: A response to literature essay Did you know that many people consider Wendy from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan to be the most developed character in the whole book?(Wendy Darling 1). There are many reasons this could be true.

J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan tells the story of “the boy who never grew up.” Barrie paints Peter as an extraordinary character living in a mystical world called Neverland, flying through the air, and fighting villainous pirates. He is also the boy who takes a young girl named Wendy from England back to Neverland with him. The interaction and interdependence of Barrie’s two characters, Peter and Wendy, symbolize and spread cultural gender stereotypes by mirroring the stereotypes embodied by the adult characters in the story—Mr. and Mrs. Darling—and by reflecting the ideas of gender roles of the time and foreshadowing the children’s understanding of reality and expectations, as well as their eventual maturation.

Children are often looked upon as little angels, in art, and called so by their parents who love them dearly. But while children are small and cute, and innocent too, there is truth to their being heartless. In Chapter 16 of Peter Pan the children are described as, "Rubbishy children" (205, Barrie). Despite their being shameless little cads, their mother, Mrs. Darling, can find no fault, and loves them all the same. Even when they left their dear parents so easily, as if they would not be grieved at their disappearance.

The mother, extremely distressed about her loss, never recovers and subsequently ignores her other, six-year old son. Upon entering the room to see his mother, the boy is met with "David, is that you? Could it be you?" and when she realizes that it is her other son, exclaims "Oh, it's only you." When the mother does speak to her son, it is only to say that at least David died as a perfect boy who would always need his mother. As a result of extreme neglect, (the father did not interact with the children) and perhaps psychological abuse, this son stops growing and never reaches puberty. As an adult he is 4'10". The surprising end to this story is that this "man" "grew up" to be the author of the beloved story-Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie, who was forever writing about boys who did not grow up (2).

“I suppose I always knew that I made Peter by rubbing the five of you violently together” (Biography.com Editors). J.M. Barrie may have used the Llewelyn Davies boys as inspiration for Peter Pan, but the death of his brother, Barrie’s small appearance, and reclusive mother may have influenced the boy who would never grow up. Peter Pan has been a part of many childhoods, especially after the Disney adaptation, but the original story was a delight to 1904 audiences in London. With flying actresses as Peter, the public fell in love with Barrie’s fantastical tale of pixie dust and this brings us to the question: What was Barrie’s relationship with Peter? J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan was based upon his personal feelings and relationships.

Darling, that the desire to be a child forever is not only Peter Pan’s wish, but the wish of adults as well. Jacqueline Rose went so far as to say “Peter Pan offers us the child—for ever. It gives us the child, but it does not speak to the child” (58). When Rose says “us” she is referring to adults. It is the adult that wants Peter Pan to stay young forever, not the child.

Literary heroes that are also ordinary children are engaging to readers, particularly child readers. James Pope and Julia Round write that “Roald Dahl is a fascinating author in that his books for children feature child heroes who are very often neither hero nor villain, but a wild, subversive combination of both” (258). These characteristics are also true of Coraline and Harry Potter, as they are presented as imperfect, but ultimately find the power within themselves to save what is important to them. Children readers are empowered by Coraline and Harry because they identify with these ordinary children and feel as if they can also make a difference in their lives, as the characters defeat the evil in theirs.

Are you a literary festival virgin? Are you clueless about what to wear and expect? Have no fear, I am here to help. I too was a lit-fest-virgin until recently when I unexpectedly embarked upon something that has made me look at literature differently.

There is no doubt that certain books children read are made especially for boys or for girls. Like any developmental form of entertainment, from toys to movies, children's books are often littered with hints that dictate whether they were originally meant for male or female enjoyment. Sometimes these hints can be as simple as the specific gender of the main characters, for example Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew series calls for a female audience while the extremely similar yet sexually opposite Hardy Boys mysteries fall into the hands of boys, yet other times more important factors decide who the book will best be suited for. Gary Paulsen's Hatchet and Katherine Patersons's The Great Gilly Hopkins are books for a boy and a