November 08, 2009

Stereotypes in Peter Pan sequel

I was wondering how the sequel to Peter Pan would treat the Indians. I was sure it would improve their portray, bringing them into the 21st century in terms of authenticity.

But no. Judging by educator Debbie Reese's analysis, Peter Pan in Scarlet is much worse than J.M. Barrie's original. Here's the story:

Peter Pan in ScarletPeter Pan in Scarlet is a novel by Geraldine McCaughrean. It is an official sequel to J. M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy, authorised by Great Ormond Street Hospital, who were given the rights to the character and original story by the author. McCaughrean was selected following a competition launched in 2004, in which novelists were invited to submit a sample chapter and plot outline. The book continues the story of the Lost Boys, the Darling family, and Peter Pan, in 1926 during the reign of George V and following World War I.Analysis:  Peter Pan in ScarletAfter spending the last 24 hours re-reading and making notes on Geraldine McCaughrean's Peter Pan in Scarlet, I feel a bit like Mr. John. The book opens with him saying "I'm not going to bed."

The worst parts for me, as I read this book, are McCaughrean's references to Indians:

  • Head-dress
  • Warpaint
  • Redskins
  • Tepee
  • Warpath
  • Totem Poles
  • Hidden warpaths
  • Cannibals
  • Chief
  • Signal fires
  • Tribes

    • And then...the Indians themselves.

  • Waist high
  • Wearing full warpaint
  • Armed with hatchets, bows and arrows, Bowie knives
  • Child warriors
  • Long silken hair
  • Buckskin tunics
  • Scalping
  • Papooses
  • Squaws
  • Braves
  • Throat slitters
  • Warpainted pirates
  • Warriors
  • (Puppy eaters)
  • Throat-slitters ready to shoot arrows

    • In all of what I've listed above, McCaughrean (apparently in the same style as Barrie), provides readers with a specific portrayal of Indians. Like countless writers, she provides her readers with a stereotypical Indian. Tipis (she spells it tepees) and totem poles do not originate with the same tribe. Her Indians are warriors and squaws in warpaint, carrying bows and arrows and knives. They know about scalping. But! Throat slitters???    (Excerpted from Debbie Reese's American Indians in Children's Literature, 11/3/09.)

    Some detailed excerpts from the book:

    Notes and Summary:  Peter Pan in Scarlet

    Comment:  I've highlighted many of Barrie's passages about Indians in Tiger Lily in Peter Pan:  An Allegory of Anglo-Indian Relations. Peter Pan in Scarlet sounds like it's several times worse. I.e., it literally has several times the amount of stereotypes. That's inexcusable in a book written just a few years ago.

    For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Books.

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    1 comment:

    1. The Never Fairty12:12 PM

      Peter Pan in Scarlet, regardless of its stereotypes toward Native Americans, is not the best sequel anyway. It has numerous mistakes as compared to Barrie's original stories! An "official" sequel with errors to the story? Go figure...

      There is another Peter Pan adventure that's faithful to Barrie because it's also based on his notes for more... click my name to see it.

      You'll find some of the same 'stereotypes' as Barrie, of course, since it's supposed to remain true to the original. But there's also a passage in the Foreword in relation to this very subject. The author says he has great respect for Native American culture(s).

      One might construe it as stereotypical, still, but he tried to maintain a healthy balance.

      BELIEVE!

      ReplyDelete

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