FALL+2012+GROUP+1+-+BACKGROUND+ON+J.M.+BARRIE

**__ J.M. Barrie’s Background: __**

 * J.M. Barrie was born in Kirriemuir, Angus, being the ninth of ten children, two of who died before he was born.
 * He went to the University of Edinburgh and wrote drama reviews for the Edinburgh Evening Courant.
 * He was educated in Scotland and later moved to London where he developed a career as a novelist and playwright.

__** Idea for Peter Pan: **__

 * This is where he met the Llewelyn Davies boys who inspired him to write Peter Pan, a “fairy play” about ageless boy and an ordinary girl named Wendy who has adventures in the fantasy setting of Neverland. The Llewelyn Davies was a family of 7, the parents and five sons. J.M. Barrie became friends with the family and eventually made up the character of Peter Pan to amuse two of the children, saying that their little brother Peter could fly. He claimed that babies were birds before they were born; parents put bars on nursery windows to keep the little ones from flying away. This grew into a tale of a baby boy who flew away.
 * When the father died, “Uncle Jim” because to provide financial support for the family, using his income from Peter Pan and other works to pay for their living expenses and education.

__** What did people think of Peter Pan when it was first published? **__

 * Peter Pan is J.M. Barrie’s most popular novel.
 * The play first came out in 1904, and then in book form in 1911.
 * Peter Pan is extremely popular and many people enjoyed it when it was first published.
 * There have been many different adaptations of Peter Pan, including the well-known Disney Version, Peter Pan.

__** Other Books J.M. Barrie wrote: **__

 * The Little White Bird
 * Dear Brutus
 * Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
 * Tommy and Grizel
 * Alice Sit-By-The-Fire

__** Historical Climate: **__

 * J.M. Barrie was alive during the Victorian Era and wrote stories during this era.
 * Peter Pan was an “escape” for the Victorian Era, with imagination.