Wendy, Wendy, when you are sleeping in your silly bed you might be flying about with me saying funny things to the stars.
James M. BarrieRead
That fiend!" Mr. Darling would cry, and Nana's bark was the echo of it, but Mrs. Darling never upbraided Peter; there was something in the right-hand corner of her mouth that wanted her not to call Peter names.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the complexity of emotions in relationships, particularly the balance between criticism and affection.
In this quote from J.M. Barrie's work, Mr. Darling expresses frustration with Peter Pan, referring to him as a 'fiend,' while Nana, the dog, echoes his sentiments. However, Mrs. Darling reveals a deeper emotional connection, as indicated by her hesitation to criticize Peter, suggesting that love can often prevail over anger or frustration, especially when it comes to those we care about.
Themes
RelationshipsLoveAffectionCriticismEmotions
In practice
Example use cases
During a family gathering, you might recall this quote to highlight the importance of holding back judgment for those we love.
More from James M. Barrie
All quotes →His lordship may compel us to be equal upstairs, but there will never be equality in the servants' hall.
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The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does.
James M. BarrieRead
Never ascribe to an opponent motives meaner than your own.
James M. BarrieRead
It was then that Hook bit him. Not the pain of this but its unfairness was what dazed Peter. It made him quite helpless. He could only stare, horrified. Every child is affected thus the first time he is treated unfairly. All he thinks he has a right to when he comes to you to be yours is fairness. After you have been unfair to him he will love you again, but he will never afterwards be quite the same boy. No one ever gets over the first unfairness; no one except Peter.
James M. BarrieRead
But the years came and went without bringing the careless boy; and when they met again Wendy was a married woman, and Peter was no more to her than a little dust in the box in which she had kept her toys.
James M. BarrieRead
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