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Peter Pan & Christian Maturity | Part II | Heroes & Villains

If you've made it straight on 'till morning, welcome to Neverland!

First, we need to identify the Danger; you know - the Good Guys & the Bad Guys. After all, we're trying to stay Alive in this Foreign Land. 

As I was thinking about Heroes and Villains, I pulled out my copy of The Action Bible: Heroes and Villains that my husband Gifted me for Christmas. (Yes, my idea of a good time is reading comic book versions of the Bible. He Knows me so well). 

The book Beautifully Illustrates 75 Characters found in the Bible, from Jesus to Judas, each with their Most Embarrassing Moment and Claim to Fame. Hero or Villain? Well, I suppose that's for you to decide.  

There are far too many Characters in Neverland to explore each of them with the depth they deserve, but let's take a look at a few that get the most attention in the Story: Peter Pan, Captain Hook, TinkerBell, and Wendy, Darling. 

I've gone down the Reddit Rabbit Hole researching Symbolism behind these Characters. I'll spare you the trip to Wonderland (stay with me, for now, in Neverland). They are so Complex, that I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that could be written; but for our Intentions, here is a List. I suppose it feels a bit shallow to reduce someone's Character to a List, but sometimes Lists can help us get a good look at what is going on:

Peter Pan, our Adventurous Protagonist:   
Narcissistic Personality Disorder 
Emotional Immaturity

Captain Hook, Peter's Sworn Enemy:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Paranoia
Suicidal Ideation

TinkerBell, a Spirited Fairy:
Impulse Control Disorder
Pathological Jealousy
Class X Felony; Solicitation of Murder 

Wendy, Darling, a Darling Little Girl: 
Mother to the Lost Boys
Storyteller 
Life Expectancy: Normal.  

Heroes or Villains? It depends on who tells the Story. 

I promised I would give some Attention to the Crocodile, but a list won't do. You see, the Crocodile only has One Problem: a Craving. 

Of course, the Crocodile represents Death itself. As I was trying to get to Know it, I realized that it's such a dreadfully dull Character. A Slave to its Instincts, it never speaks a word in the Story, but it makes itself Heard with its tick-tock-tick-tock. Let's not waste any more Time with such a flat Character, as honestly its Incessant Ticking is quite annoying, and jump right to the Final Battle: 

Hook was now fighting without Hope. That passionate breast no longer asked for Life; but for one boon it Craved: to see Peter show Bad Form before it was Cold Forever. 

Abandoning the Fight he rushed into the powder magazine and fired it. "In two minutes," he cried, "the ship will be blown to pieces." 

Now, now, he thought, True Form will show. 

But Peter issued from the powder magazine with the shell in his hands, and calmly flung it overboard. 

What sort of Form was Hook himself showing? Misguided man though he was, we may be glad, without sympathizing with him, that in the end he was True to the Traditions of his race. The other boys were flying around him now, flouting, scornful; and he staggered about the deck striking up at them impotently, his mind was no longer with them; it was slouching in the playing fields of Long Ago, or being sent up for good, or watching the wall-game from a famous wall. And his shoes were Right, and his waistcoat was Right, and his tie was Right, and his socks were Right. 

James Hook, thou not wholly unheroic figure, farewell. For we have come to his last moment. 

Seeing Peter slowly advancing upon him through the air with dagger poised, he sprang upon the bulwarks to cast himself into the sea. He did not know that the Crocodile was waiting for him; we purposely stopped the clock that this knowledge might be spared him; a little mark of respect from us at the end.

He had one last triumph, which I think we need not grudge him. As he stood on the bulwark looking over his shoulder at Peter gliding through the air, he Invited him with a gesture to use his foot. It made Peter kick instead of stab. 

At last Hook had got the boon for which he Craved. "Bad form," he cried jeeringly, and went Content to the Crocodile. 

Thus perished James Hook. 

Did you know he had a first Name?  


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