Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens Literary Elements

A children’s novel

The actions take place in Kensington Gardens in London, the time is not set

The narrator is unnamed first person, but from other books of the series it is known that the narrator is David’s sister Venda

Tone and mood are mostly sad, as a little boy is left motherless, and there simply is no place for him either among humans or among birds.

The protagonist is Peter Pan, while there is no clear antagonist.

The main conflict of the novel occurs in the desire “not to grow” of the protagonist, and of the magic creatures like fairies who are unreasonable creatures, practically animals, never able to evolve into humans.

The climax occurs when Peter Pan’s mother has barred the window as she had got another boy, and Peter is unable to get back t her. At that point it becomes obvious that Peter is destined to stay a seven-days-old and live beyond human society.

Peter Pan’s desire to return home, but as soon as it turns up that his mother has another son, thus his inability to come back foreshadows sad events for Peter. Another proof of such an outcome it Maimie’s refusal to stay with Peter. These events foreshadow loneliness for the main character. And loneliness is the most sad thing that might happen to a child.

The meaning of motherhood is understated in the story. Each baby needs mother the most, and Peter is not an exception.

Most of the allusions in the novel refer to Kensington Gardens, its locations and places.

Images of fairies, birds, and other creatures are created to add to children’s imagination, along with some vivid depictions of nature.

N/A

The magic and real worlds are described in parallel.

Her eager eyes asked the question, ‘Is it to-day?’ (her eyes is a metonymy)

“but far away he saw the Kensington Gardens beckoning to him beneath the bridge”
“Twilight crept over the Gardens”