Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What do you know about the character of Peter Pan (from stories, movies, or games)? What traits or images come to mind with the characters of Peter Pan and Captain Hook? Why do some literary characters seem to have a lasting impact on culture?

Teaching Suggestion: It may be beneficial to begin with a discussion of archetypal or iconic characters in popular culture and literature history to collectively brainstorm traits that seem to promote a character’s lasting impact. You might also want to initiate instruction on the influence of the writer’s experiences on Peter Pan. J.M. Barrie’s work is heavily influenced by his family life, childhood, and his acquaintance with the Davies family. Consider discussing Barrie’s background, his history with the Davies family, and the tragedy that shaped Peter Pan with these questions: What year was Peter Pan first seen on stage? What inspired J.M. Barrie to write Peter Pan? Which of the Davies was believed to have influenced Barrie more than the others? Why is Kensington Gardens important to Peter Pan and Barrie?