The Sinister Side of Peter Pan Unveiled by the Unpublished Notes of Its Creator

Peter Pan, the "elfin child, clad in forest garments, picturesquely ragged," first appeared on an English stage. "Through the central window at the back, Peter Pan is mysteriously seen. Perched on the ledge, his hands fumble with the window as if seeking a way to open it," wrote his creator, J. M. Barrie, in the script. This child who flies and travels between Neverland and earthly rooms had a sinister side, as hinted by his author in texts that remained unpublished in Spain. Until now, marking the centenary of the first Spanish edition of the book.

"Is Peter a sprite who encourages children not to become adults?" Barrie (1860-1937) pondered in one of his notes. He describes him as "a sprite feared by all mothers because he lures children away with him." Also, "he says nothing that truly means anything. He twirls and leaps amidst sad and serious scenes simply because he must twirl and leap; he must not think." And then, "What if Peter has the ability to make everyone feel like children?"

'Peter Pan: The Unpublished Works' (published by Pepitas de Calabaza) gathers six writings from the creator of this timeless character, first introduced to the public in 1902. In books or films, including sequels featuring some of its characters like Wendy or Hook, the initial image of the young flyer who refused to grow up is the one preserved in the script reproduced in this edition, with instructions for the ideal scene: "The lighting should be such that the boy casts no shadow. A wire has just been attached to allow him to fly, but it is not visible in the dim light. His movements are very swift, as if he were made of air."

This work was followed by other Peter Pan texts, penned between 1902 and 1928. Many were forgotten. Some were only handwritten and even discovered as late as 1988, like the musings titled "Fairy Notes," containing 466 surprising aphorisms about Peter. "First, he teaches them to fly. Then he reveals that all who hear him play (flute) must follow him. A small child could be lured while fluttering."

Following are the notes "On the Staging of a Fairy Play" (1904) and "Production Notes for Peter Pan" (1908); the story "The Smudge in Peter Pan" and the speech "Captain Hook at Eton or The Solitary: A Strange Tale" (1927). Although its origin lies in a brother of the author who died young, as Barrie confessed, in the end, "fun is all Peter seeks."