In the story of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie gave us the story of Wendy Darling, a girl on the verge of being a young woman who instinctively recoils from growing. She wants to remain a child, like her younger siblings, and to her rescue comes Peter Pan, the adolescent hero of so many of her stories.
He whisks them out of their Victorian playroom, up to the stars and off to Neverland for adventures with pirates, Indians, the lost boys and an impulsive, jealous fairy named Tinkerbell, who learned the grown-up lessons of true love and generosity the hard way.
There was this article in Life on Saturday where a critic has said that “Peter Pan is a story of a strange, dysfunctional boy who refuses to grow up, who hangs around a nursery window and lures in children away.”
The writer goes on the say that “surveying Peter Pan’s world as an adult has deeper and more disturbing implications. While a child’s universe is necessarily black and white, an adult’s is far from being so.”
Personally speaking, I disagree pretty strongly with this article. Children, in my opinion, are the most creative people. They are able to explore unique thoughts and are able to envision the total possible environment. What they say may sound nonsensical at first. But hey, every really new idea looks crazy at first isn’t it?
As kids, we concentrate on possibilities, not actualities.
As a result, we are able to keep the windows of the mind open for new opportunities.
But I also do agree that being perpetually in the mindset of a child is worrying and erhmm, freaky in several aspects. Just look at Michael Jackson. He is still a child, choosing to share his Neverland ranch and having sleepovers with kids.
Nevertheless, I'm still someone who chooses to believe in fairytales, in superheroes, in miracles. I like the feeling of stepping into the pages of a fairytale where I could be anything I want to be, where there is a Neverland where I can immerse myself in. Where there is magic.
*** And since I’m on the subject of creativity, here's a drawing which my friend sent me.
This is EXACTLY what I meant when I said we should concentrate on possibilities, not actualities.
If I ask you to draw an egg, how many of you would have drawn a bird?
We humans tend to see things hastily and think about them carelessly.
And oh, this is a drawing by Rene Magritte btw, a Belgian artist whose art pieces are simple yet spectacular. He chooses ordinary things from which to construct his works—trees, chairs, tables, doors, etc.. This is sufficient for him because even in the simplest of objects, he sees endless possibilities and ideas.
Kennyster @
7:50 PM
The Unpretty
Kenny Loh
23
Formerly from Dunman High, VJC and formerly a proud member of the 2SIR 11th mono Alpha Company Apache warriors.
Currenly a 3rd year student at the Singapore Management University.
I'm into books, pool, soccer & conversation (by day), justice, honour & vengeance (by night).
Constantly on the lookout for crimelords, deformed megalomaniacs and women.
