People have been creating fantastic worlds for ages. This fascinating phenomena pushed me to analyze writing of two authors famous of their rich imagination and creativity. Throughout my 3 blog posts I wish to discuss the purpose of those mystical visions of imagined realms in fairy tales, myths, and in fantasy books on example of J. M. Battie’s, J. R.R. Tolkien’s and Philip K. Dick's works.
The first trace to follow is that mankind, since the civilized world arose, looked for various ways to escape reality. The most probable reason of this sociological mechanism is the fact that the difficulties of everyday life often seem to be to hard to handle. Therefore people want to push away their worries and responsibilities by hiding themselves in alcohol, drugs, books, TV, computer games, internet and of course imagination. Like Peter Pan the hero of J. M. Battie’s writings, who wanted to escape the difficulties of adult life and to avoid the sad problem of ageing and death. He chose his world of imagination where he was an everlasting child, even though all his friends left to face the real world.
There are times when every person understands Peter's decision. Sometimes life is hard and world seem so colorless. One cannot believe in magic and dragons but one would like to, because then surrounding reality would not be so gray and dull and everyday would be an adventure. It is easy and relieving to escape responsibilities, to relax and stop worrying – and that is why we jump into those pools of imagination.
Imagination is children’s blessing, it gives them possibility to perceive every object as something mysterious and magical – we would like not to lose this ability when we grow up. Almost every child felt like Peter Pan once – fought pirates with a wooden sword, had its gang of Lost Boys and believed that flying is possible. And even if it was only young brain’s imagination it gave real joy and made the world a hundred times brighter. Reality is very stiff and often predictable unless we help it a little by using our imagination. Even though we cannot fly to Neverland, still we can nurse the spark of childish bliss in our hearts and carry it into adulthood.
What do you think? Have you ever read Peter Pan? What do you think about this patricular story being read by adults?
Of course I've read Peter Pan! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it SHOULD be read by adults. Very much so. It's a very different tale for grown-ups. Besides the nuances Barrie put in for adults, it's a much darker and more bittersweet story than people realize. That's part of the genius of Barrie - his ability to write for both.
And while you're at it, make sure to read this, too:
http://www.peterpansneverworld.com/
BELIEVE!
It's simple: I didn't read Peter Pan and obviously I'm not going to.
ReplyDeleteLast time i read any book not related with computers was in high school, I'm proud of it and not going to change that!
As for fairy tale I remember reading one when I was 5 or 6 and learning reading, last time i tried to change that and start to reading fairy tales for my dog but i couldn't find any books with dog's fairy tale and reading "nowe metody programowania K.Barteczko" it's not very exciting.
I also didn't read Peter Pan but I am familiar with many fairy tales, or at least I was when I was four... . I spent then almost two months in hospital. My mother used to read me a lot of fairy tales. I do not remember author or authors, but I do remember few fairy tales. One of them was frightening. When I think about it now, it reminds of H. P. Lovercraft. Generally it was one of those stories when everything is going fine, but you can feel in your gut that something is amiss, but you do not know what exactly. And when the ends comes the story reveals its true horrors.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I still love any fantasy or science-fiction stories which helps me to loose grip on reality. ;)
"Peter Pan" I know only from the film, but I love fairy tales and fantasy. I think it's sad that some people are proud of the fact that only read technical books. The complete lack of imagination, without which there are no innovative ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think that not only children have great imagination. In the end J.M. Barrie was 51 when he published Peter Pan. Sometimes it’s good to detach from reality to take a break from boring life. For me living my life in an interesting way is a better option than escaping to the imaginary worlds.
ReplyDeletehello, As I remember Peter Pan was fighting with captain Hook or opposite captain Hook was fighting with Peter Pan. I unfrotunately didn't read this book but I saw the movie. It was one of my favourites. You know that because of this post I am going to visit Empik tomorrow to purchase one of these books. As my opinion is concerned I think that are quite easy to read and many of adults would say these are not for me. But I think that it will recall at least few our "milestones" in our lives. Its nice to think about the past especially to recall our behaviours etc.
ReplyDeleteI also didn't read Peter Pan and I don't think that it could interest me now.
ReplyDeleteAndrzej: show him a cartoon network
http://addphoto.eu/files/reg/1/73.jpg
fairy tales are not only for humans ;p
Justyna: don't be sad, I have something for you ;p
http://vimeo.com/3514904?pg=embed&sec=
technical fairy tale ;p, it's not Peter Pan but I think that you'll love it :P
I've remembered Peter Pan book from my childhood when my Dad was reading me this story before I went to bed. Then I saw the movie and I've been to theater arts (in Roma in Warsaw) and I can say that from time to time is really nice to come back for a while to carefree childhood. On the other hand I don’t like fairy tales and fantasy literature is not my favorite one.
ReplyDeleteI have not read Peter Pan book, but movie used to be my favourite one. I used to dream about Neverland and be like Peter Pan fighting with Captain Hook..:) Adventures and no problems..
ReplyDeleteLike some of you I have not read Peter Pan, but I loved the movie when was a child. Not so long ago ago I've seen in in TV and it seemed so weird and funny :)
ReplyDeleteI have seen Peter Pan many times, probably also read it, being a child, but I don’t recollect right now. Surely now, there are houndreds of books more interesting for me, but I wouldn’t dismiss fairy tales, as some do, claiming they are too old or serious for this rubbish. Tales are an universal cultural codes displaying values, patterns of behavior existing in societies. Simplest, and most known are not just meaningless, childlish chatter, but say something about ourselves. We don’t need to read them every Friday, but we should remember about their cultural value.
ReplyDeleteEscape to a imaginary world from our everyday worries just like Peter Pan... I wish it could be so easy. Just like in the tale it's so much easier to avoid our duties and obstacles. But like Peter Pan we have to grow up. Well, at least partially. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs a child I loved Peter Pan story, it was so crazy and impossible. As a older man I still enjoy Walt Disney adaptation of this book.
ReplyDelete