Day 122 Peter Pan

I was named after Wendy in Peter Pan.

I once went out with a boy called Peter when I was a teenager. Everyone loved Peter, and it was presumed we would stay together forever, and never grow up.  Peter and I knew it wasn't forever, and to everyones dissapointment, we grew up.

Peter Pan has always had such a special place in my heart. JM Barrie never really grew up. He was a struggling play write In London, and needed inspiration. That inspiration came in the form of a married lady, and her four sons.  The Llewellyn-Davies boys became Barrie's life. Much to the frustration of Barrie's own wife, Mary, and the boys father.  At the time it was speculated that James Matthew Barrie wanted more from the boys than just friendship.  Why is it that a genuine love of children can be twisted so?  JM had a tragic life really. When he was just a boy himself, his brother died in an ice skating accident. JM's Mother never got over loosing her favorite son, and would have nothing more to do with JM.  Barrie's own father was as cold as ice.  All this stress stumped his growth, and he was only 4ft 10in.  All this also led to sever insecurity, and lack of self confidence in Barrie.  His wife Mary fell into the arms of another man, and the boys Father died.  JM spent more and more time with the boys. He would encourage them to write thier own plays. Peter did write one, and thus the beginning of Peter Pan..... 

Sylvia died of cancer, and JM adopted the four Llewellyn boys. George, John, Michael, and Peter. In actual fact there where five boys -- the baby Nicholas. He is rarely mentioned. It wasn't a happy ever after ending though. 

James lived out his life in perpetual grief.  George got killed in the war. Michael was found drowned in the arms of his (presumed) male lover.  Peter became a war hero, and a publisher, but just a few months after his brother John died Peter stepped off the train station platform, in front of an incoming train.

The film, Finding Neverland is loosely based on JM's true story. I watched it the other night, and became a blubbering mass for at least thirty minutes, it really is a good film. 

I am proud to be named after one of the greatest masterpieces of all time, and yes, I do believe ....... 

Comments

[Claire]

Wow what a synopsis I had no idea!
Cx