Peter Pan: "The Children Are Carried Off" - Study Guide
This study guide will help you analyze J.M. Barrie’s “The Children Are Carried Off” chapter, focusing on key themes, vocabulary, and important quotes.
Themes / Big Ideas
This chapter is rich with thematic elements that build upon the larger narrative of Peter Pan. Here are some key ideas to consider:
- Civilization vs. Savagery: The chapter heavily contrasts the "civilized" pirates with the “noble savages” (the Piccaninnies). Barrie uses this contrast to explore ideas about morality, honor, and the nature of warfare. However, he also subverts expectations by portraying Hook as uncivilized in his disregard for the rules of engagement.
- Deception & Trust: The Piccaninnies trust Hook implicitly, a fatal flaw. This highlights the dangers of misplaced faith and the manipulative power of evil characters. Hook’s deception is central to his success.
- The Power of Tradition: The Piccaninnies’ adherence to their traditions (not showing surprise, waiting for an attack) ultimately contributes to their downfall. This raises questions about the rigidity of custom and its potential consequences.
- Hatred & Vengeance: The chapter begins to unpack the deep-seated hatred Hook harbors for Peter. It’s not simply about a lost hand; it's something deeper – Peter’s “cockiness” and the feeling of being caged.
- The Illusion of Control: Hook believes he has everything mapped out, but the unpredictability of Peter and the boys throws his plans into chaos. This illustrates the theme that control is often an illusion.
- Childhood Innocence & Vulnerability: The children are completely helpless and reliant on Peter. Their fate hangs precariously in the balance, emphasizing their vulnerability.
Vocabulary List
| Word | Part of Speech | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Unscrupulous | Adjective | Having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair. |
| Wit | Noun | Intelligence and cleverness; the capacity for inventive thought. |
| Savage | Adjective | Fierce, violent, and uncontrolled. |
| Wiliness | Noun | Cunning or slyness; clever deceit. |
| Undulating | Adjective | Having a smoothly rising and falling form or outline. |
| Stockade | Noun | A defensive enclosure, typically made of wooden posts. |
| Onslaught | Noun | A fierce or destructive attack or assault. |
| Tranquilly | Adverb | Calmly; peacefully. |
| Paleface | Noun | A term used to refer to white people, especially by Native Americans. |
| Phlegmatic | Adjective | Having or showing a calm, unemotional disposition. |
| Implicitly | Adverb | Completely; fully and without reservation. |
| Alertness | Noun | The state of being watchful and quick to respond. |
| Stealthily | Adverb | In a sneaky or secret manner; quietly and cautiously. |
| Moccasins | Noun | Soft leather shoes worn by Native Americans. |
| Diabolical | Adjective | Extremely evil or cruel; wicked. |
| Carnage | Noun | The killing of a large number of people. |
| Pertinacity | Noun | The quality of being determined and persistent. |
| Vindictiveness | Noun | A desire for revenge or punishment. |
| Malignant | Adjective | Deadly; harmful. |
| Cockiness | Noun | Excessive self-confidence or arrogance; swagger. |
| Elation | Noun | Great happiness and exhilaration. |
| Enigma | Noun | A person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand. |
| Discreet | Adjective | Careful and circumspect in one’s speech or actions, especially to avoid causing offense. |
| Miscreants | Noun | A wicked or criminal person. |
| Avidly | Adverb | With great enthusiasm and eagerness. |
| Inaudibly | Adverb | Not loud enough to be heard. |
| Gleefully | Adverb | In a joyful and triumphant manner. |
Quotes to Look For & Analyze
These quotes highlight key themes and character dynamics. Consider why Barrie includes these lines, what they reveal about the characters or plot, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the chapter.
- “By all the unwritten laws of savage warfare it is always the redskin who attacks…”: This establishes the contrast between "civilized" and "savage" warfare, setting up Hook’s transgression.
- “The Piccaninnies…trusted implicitly to his honour…”: This foreshadows the tragedy and emphasizes Hook’s deceptive nature.
- “It was Peter’s cockiness.”: This is a crucial line revealing the root of Hook's hatred. What does this say about Hook’s character?
- “While Peter lived, the tortured man felt that he was a lion in a cage into which a sparrow had come.”: This metaphor powerfully illustrates Hook’s frustration and rage.
- “What could the bewildered scouts do, masters as they were of every war-like artifice save this one, but trot helplessly after him…”: This highlights the limitations of even skilled warriors when faced with unexpected tactics.
- “It is no part of ours to describe what was a massacre rather than a fight.”: This distancing language emphasizes the brutality of the attack and Barrie’s narrative choices.
- “Twice Smee beat upon the instrument, and then stopped to listen gleefully.”: This shows Smee’s simple-minded devotion to Hook and his willingness to participate in evil.
- “The doomed children answered with a cheer that was music to the black hearts above…”: This is deeply unsettling. The children’s innocence contrasts sharply with the pirates' malicious intent.
This study guide should help you delve deeper into the complexities of “The Children Are Carried Off” and appreciate Barrie’s masterful storytelling. Remember to consider the context of the time period in which the novel was written and how that might influence its portrayal of different cultures.