The Betwixt and Between : Peter Pan as a Trickster Figure
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2018 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | The Journal of Popular Culture |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jpcu.12679 |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpcu.12679 |
| Keywords | Peter Pan; J. M. Barrie; trickster; child |
| Description | The present article explores the cultural significance of Peter Pan in terms of his trickster nature. Tricksters, such as Hermes, Loki, Anansi and Coyote, are vital in their function as cultural catalysts, preventing stagnation by constantly breaking established rules, disregarding conventions, violating taboos and challenging even the basic assumptions on which cultures are based. Just like mythical tricksters, Peter Pan is a deft imitator, a creative bricoleur, and a boundary crosser with no respect for conventions. More importantly, with the story of Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie (1860-1937) managed to blur the boundary between literature for adults and for children, and the genre boundaries between drama and prose. Last but not least, he helped to challenge the established image of the child in Victorian England. |
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