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Essay / Maternal figure in Peter Pan and The Story of The Treasure Seekers
Peter Pan (1911) by JM Barrie and The Story of the Treasure Seekers (1988) by Edith Nesbit are Victorian novels that follow the stories of two families disadvantaged people who entertain themselves and entertain themselves with their imagination. In both stories, older female characters Wendy Darling – from Peter Pan – and Dora Bastable – from The Tale of the Treasure Seekers – become the mother figure within their group of siblings. The role of the mother is very common in children's literature and is traditionally given to an older, female protagonist. The role of the mother is necessary in children's literature, particularly to give order and to be the person who takes care of the children. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Although both girls participate in fulfilling the same role, Wendy plays the role of the mother while Dora sees this post as a responsibility that must be fulfilled. Since the role of mother is more of a game for Wendy, she may view this position as easy and enjoyable. Her perception of this task is more relaxed because for her it is a game, she is adored for playing this role and because of the active presence of her parents. On the other hand, Dora has difficulty fulfilling this role and does not find it pleasant at all because it is more of a job for her, she is not appreciated for what she does and finally because her parents are absent from her life.Imagination and pretending are a common habit in the Darling family's lives – even their Newfoundland dog, Nana, plays a part in the role of nanny. Playing the role of mother is an easy and pleasant task for Wendy because she does not have to take this role seriously. In Chapter 6, when Peter tells Wendy that all he and the Lost Boys need is "a nice motherly person" (61), Wendy is quick to say that she is exactly the person they need and responds: “Come in immediately, you naughty children; I'm sure your feet are wet. And before you go to bed, I have just time to finish the Cinderella story" (62). The fact that Peter says they need a "motherly" person rather than a "mother" suggests that a real mother is not actually needed in their lives, but rather is desired. This reinforces the idea that Wendy is not required to take on any special responsibilities and that everything she does is. as a mother is just for fun Another scene that proves that Wendy as a mother is only for fun is when Peter confronts her about her playing the role of father. - he, a little frightened. "It's only imaginary, isn't it, that I'm their father?" "Oh yes," said Wendy in a serious tone [formally and correctly]. " he continued apologetically, "it would make me seem so old to be their real father." "But they're ours, Peter, yours and mine." "But not really, Wendy?" » he asked anxiously. (89-90) In this passage, Peter and Wendy confirm that their roles as parents are not real. This passage also shows how Wendy discreetly wants Peter to play the role of father because if there is a mother, there must be a father. Thinking about what would need to happen to make the role more authentic demonstrates Wendy's actual inauthenticity as a mother. Unlike Wendy, Dora recognizes the role of mother as a real responsibility and not a game. She does not believe that anyone takes on the role of father; his only goal is to do his job. Part of Dora's duty as a mother is to repair her brothers' damaged clothes andsisters. “Dora is the only one of us who tries to fix anything” (24). Chapter 7 of the novel provides many examples of Dora mending her siblings' clothes. As little ones always play recklessly, they often damage their clothes. “[Dora] was trying to repair a big hole in one of Christmas's stockings. He tore it on a nail when we were playing shipwrecked sailors on top of the chicken coop the day HO fell and cut his chin : he still has the scar. (47) Another responsibility of Dora is to take care of her siblings. Whenever Dora thinks a playful suggestion from her siblings isn't safe, she's quick to let them know she doesn't like the idea because of the potential dangers: "And although Oswald said half of us might be bandits and the other half might be rescuers. , Dora kept saying it would be a mistake to be a highwayman - and that's why we had to give it up” (36). Dora as a mother is a role that is neither easy nor pleasant for her because she takes her job seriously and wants to make sure she does it well. In addition to the role of mother as a character to play, Wendy loves being the mother. of the group because she is adored for it. Wendy, as a mother, is a role that has been admired since Peter first introduced her to The Lost Boys. “'Excellent news, boys,' he cried, 'I have finally brought a mother for you all'” (22). When Peter says "I have finally brought a mother for you all", the "finally" suggests that the lost boys were looking for a mother and that Wendy is someone of great value to them, even though they never thought to what they needed. a mother beforehand. Playing the role of mother is an easy job for Wendy, especially because she is treated like a queen for it. Once the Lost Boys recognize Wendy as someone of great importance, they do whatever Wendy wants to make her happy. "We have built the little walls and the roof and made a pretty door, so tell us, Mother Wendy, what more do you want?" To this she replied eagerly: "Oh, indeed, next time I think I'll have Gay windows everywhere, with roses peeking out, you know, and babies looking out" (38). Not only do the Lost Boys cherish Wendy, but the antagonists of the story also on page 74, Mr. Smee, Captain Hook's right-hand man, says, "Couldn't we kidnap these boys' mother and make her our mother? Being adored and sought after makes the role of mother without it." stress and fun for Wendy Throughout the novel Peter Pan, the role of the mother is mentioned explicitly, which is not the case in The Tale of the Treasure Seekers. In fact, Dora is not known for. playing the role of mother Despite Dora's hard work trying to be the mother of the Bastable children, Dora is only known as the older sister. On page 31, Oswald, the older brother of the group, compares Dora to the older sisters in the books and says that she is "like them". Since the Bastable children do not understand the efforts Dora puts into taking care of them and trying to make them happy, they do not appreciate her for everything she does for them. An example of the Bastable children's lack of gratitude toward Dora is after she knits a scarf for her younger brother, Noel: "Once she knitted a red scarf for Noel because her chest is delicate, but she was much wider at one end than Dora's. the other, and he did not carry it” (39). Even though Dora tries her best to do good deeds for her younger siblings, they do not understand Dora's intentions. Even Oswald, who is the eldest of the Bastable children, is unaware of Dora's goals. Throughout thenovel, he describes Dora as a hated person. In chapter 10, Oswald says, “Dora said she wouldn't play; she said she thought it was wrong and she knew it was stupid - so we left her out and she went and sat in the dining room with a book of gifts” ( 54). Rather than being adored for their responsibility, the Bastable children recognize Dora as interfering with their pleasure. In chapter 11, Dora breaks down after being completely overwhelmed by her siblings' ingratitude. We walked home very quickly and without saying much, and the girls went up to their rooms. When I went to tell them the tea was ready and there was tea cake, Dora was crying like anything and Alice was hugging her. I'm afraid there will be a lot of crying in this chapter, but I can't help it. Girls will do it sometimes; I suppose that's their nature, and we should be sorry for their affliction. “It's no good,” said Dora, “you all hate me, and you think I'm a jerk and a busybody, but I try to do right – oh, I do! Oswald, go away; Don't come here to make fun of me! (64) In this passage, Dora expresses the misery that accompanies her attempts to fulfill the role of mother. Not being appreciated makes this role particularly difficult and stressful for her. Finally, one factor that contributes to the fun and ease of being a mother for Wendy is that her parents are actively present in her life. Since Darling children have parents who constantly play with them and give them their time and affection, they recognize the mother's role as someone to look up to and look up to. Peter Pan also recognizes Mr. and Mrs. Darling's strong affection: "O Wendy, your mother told you such a beautiful story" (47). Mrs. Darling always reads stories to her children. imagination allows Wendy to try to play the role of mother as best she can. Besides being encouraged to be creative, Wendy feels no reason to worry about her parents since Wendy trusts in her parents' love for her. She has no fear of losing them. “Wendy didn't really worry about her mother and father; she was absolutely sure that they would always keep the window open for her to come back in, which gave her complete peace of mind. spirit." (65) With the presence of her parents, Wendy is able to have as much fun as she wants in Neverland without a single burden. On the other hand, the biggest and most important reason why Dora has difficulty fulfilling the role of mother because of the absence of both her parents. In The Tale of the Treasure Hunters, the Bastable children cope with the loss of their mother by distracting themselves and helping their father. , who is still working, to get money, Near the beginning of the novel, Oswald says: "Our Mother is dead, and if you think we don't care because I don't tell you much about her. , you only show that you don't understand people at all" (45) by not talking about the pain he feels now that his mother is gone. Another example that shows the Bastable children ignoring their mother's thoughts. is when Albert's uncle next door confronts the children about Albert's mother's fear: "We are very, very sorry." We didn't think about his mother. You see, we try very hard not to think about other people's mothers...'” (14) Although the Bastable children, as a whole, try not to think about their mother, she is constantly on Dora's mind because she passed on her role to him. “And when Mother died, she said: “Dora, take care of others, teach them to be good, keep them out of trouble and make them happy. “She said, “..