Victorian Period--Peter Pan

Victorian Influences on Literature In 1904 J.M. Barrie published the book Peter Pan. The novel first started as a play, and since then been reproduced into many different version. It published a few short years after Queen Elizabeth passed away and the Victorian Era had come to an end. The characters have specific characteristics that represent the time period. The Darlings represent the way Barrie saw the Victorian Era. We see this through the characterization of Mr. Darling, Nana, and Mrs. Darling, In 1837, the current king of England, William the IV, became deathly ill. Upon his death he had no surviving children and his niece Victoria took the crown. The soon to be queen had only been eighteen for twenty seven days when she took the throne. Queen Victoria’s reign was characterized by rapid change and development and ultimately created the strong British Empire we know today. Queen Victoria would rule until her death in 1901. During this time men were viewed as the head of the family. The Victorian Era was dominated by men, known as a patriarchy. The men were the breadwinners and controlled most aspects of their family’s lives. Women’s roles as mother shifted during the Victorian Era. Most had servants and governess to clean, cook, and care for their children. Their main job was to be a loving mother and a supportive wife. It was seen as unlady-like for women to have a job outside of the home. Lower class and unmarried women were typically the one that had to work, because of financial reasons. It wasn’t uncommon for girls to not attend school. Formal education was reserved for boys during the Victorian Era. They would learn basic things such as arithmetic, reading, and writing. Girls did receive education, but it typically happened in the home, and were taught by their mother or governess on how to be a good wife (“Victorian Britain”). Although the main focus of Peter Pan and Wendy was about the journey the children had in Neverland. The