Peter Pan (1911) by JM Barrie and The Story of the Treasure Seekers (1988) by Edith Nesbit are Victorian novels that follow the stories of two disadvantaged families who they entertain themselves and others with their imagination. In both stories, older female characters Wendy Darling – from Peter Pan – and Dora Bastable – from The Treasure Seekers Story – become the mother figure in their sibling group. The role of the mother is very common in children's literature and is traditionally assigned to an older, female protagonist. The role of the mother is necessary in children's literature especially to give order and be the person who takes care of children. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Although the two girls participate in the same role, Wendy plays the role of the mother while Dora sees this position as a responsibility that must be fulfilled. Since the role of mother is more of a game for Wendy, she is able to see this position as easy and fun. Her perception of this task is more relaxed because for her it is a game, she is adored for playing this role and for the active presence of her parents. Dora, on the other hand, struggles to carry out this role and does not find it pleasant at all because for her it is more of a job, she is not appreciated for what she does and finally because her parents are absent in her life. and playing pretend is a regular habit in the Darling family's life: even their Newfoundland dog, Nana, plays a part in the role of nanny. Playing the role of mother is an easy and fun task for Wendy because she is not forced to take the role seriously. In chapter 6, when Peter tells Wendy that all he and the lost boys need is "a good motherly person" (61), Wendy is quick to say that she is just the person they need and responds, "Come in right away, you." naughty children; I'm sure your feet are damp. And before I put you to bed I have just enough time to finish Cinderella's story" (62). The fact that Peter states that they need a "maternal" person rather than a "mother" suggests that a real mother is not actually necessary in their life, but above all desired. This adds to the idea that Wendy is not required to carry out any particular responsibility and that everything she does as a mother is just for fun all for fun is when Peter confronts her about him playing the role of the father. “I was just thinking,” he said, a little scared. “It's just an act, isn't it, that I'm their father?” yes," said Wendy primly [formally and correctly]. "You see," she continued apologetically, "it would make me seem so old to be their real father." "But they are ours, Peter, yours and mine." But not really, Wendy?" he asked anxiously. (89-90) In this passage, Peter and Wendy confirm that both of their roles as parents are not real. This passage also shows how Wendy discreetly wants Peter to play the role of the father because if there is a mother, there must be a father. Thinking about what should happen to make the role more genuine demonstrates Wendy's actual inauthenticity as a mother. Unlike Wendy, Dora recognizes her mother's role as a real responsibility and not a game. He doesn't think anyone can take on the role of father; his only goal is to do his job. Part of Dora's duty in fulfilling the role of mother is to repair her brothers' damaged clothes. “Dora is the only one among us who tries to fix something” (24). Chapter 7 of the novel provides many examples of Dora mending her brothers' clothes.Since little ones always play recklessly, they often damage their clothes. “[Dora] was trying to repair a large hole in one of Noel's socks. She tore it with a nail while we were playing shipwrecked sailors on top of the chicken coop, the day HO fell and cut his chin: he still has the scar. (47) Another responsibility of Dora is to take care of her siblings. Whenever Dora thinks a joking suggestion from her brothers is unsafe, she is quick to let them know that she doesn't like the idea because of their potential dangers, "And even though Oswald said half of us could being bandits and the other half a rescue team, Dora kept saying it would be wrong to be a bandit - and so we had to give it up” (36). Dora as the mother is a role that is not easy or fun for her because she takes her job seriously and wants to make sure she does well In addition to the role of the mother as a character to play, Wendy enjoys being the mother of the group because she is adored for it admired since Peter first introduced her to the lost boys. “'Great news, boys,' she cried, 'I've brought a mother at last for you all.'” (22). for all of you,” the “finally” suggests that the lost boys were looking for a mother and that Wendy is someone of great value to them, even if they never thought she was needed. an early mother. Playing the role of mother is an easy job for Wendy, especially since she is treated like royalty for it. As soon as the lost boys recognize Wendy as a person of great importance, they do whatever Wendy wants to make her happy. “We built the walls and the roof and made a beautiful door, so tell us, mother Wendy, what more do you want?” To this she responded eagerly: 'Oh, really next time I think I'll have Gay windows all around, with roses peeking out, you know, and babies peeking in'” (38). Not only do the lost boys appreciate Wendy, but so do the story's antagonists. On page 74, Mr. Smee, Captain Hook's right-hand man, says, "couldn't we kidnap these boys' mother and make her our mother?" Being adored and desired makes the role of mother stress-free and fun for Wendy. Throughout the novel Peter Pan, the role of the mother is explicitly mentioned, which is not the case in The Story of the Treasure Seekers. In fact, Dora is not known for playing the mother role. Despite Dora's hard work in trying to be the mother of the Bastable children, Dora is known exclusively as the big sister. On page 31, Oswald, the older brother of the group, compares Dora to the older sisters in the books and says that she is "just like them." Because the Bastable children don't understand the effort Dora puts into caring for them and trying to make them happy, they don't appreciate her for everything she does for them. An example of the lack of gratitude the Bastable children feel for Dora is after she knits a scarf for her younger brother, Noel, "She once knitted a red scarf for Noel because his chest is delicate, but it was much looser at one end than the other, and he would not wear it” (39) Even though Dora tries her best to do good deeds for her younger brothers, they cannot understand the intentions of Even Oswald, who is the eldest of the Bastable children, is oblivious to Dora's goals throughout the novel, he describes Dora as an unpleasant person that she thought it was wrong, and she knew it was silly, so we left her out, and she went and sat in the dining room witha book of greetings” (54). Rather than being adored for their responsibility, the Bastable children recognize Dora as interfering with their fun. In chapter 11, Dora breaks down after being completely overwhelmed by her brothers' ingratitude. We went home very quickly and without saying much, and the girls went up to their rooms. When I went to tell them that the tea was ready, and that there was a cake, Dora cried like never before and Alice hugged her. I'm afraid there's a lot to mourn in this chapter, but I can't help it. Girls sometimes do this; I suppose it's their nature and we should feel sorry for their affliction. “It's no good,” Dora was saying, “you all hate me and think I'm a pedant and a nosy, but I try to do the right thing... oh, really! Oswald, go away; Don't come here and make fun of me!' (64) In this passage Dora expresses the misery that accompanies her attempts to fulfill her role as a mother. The fact of not being appreciated makes this role particularly difficult and stressful for her. Last but not least, a factor that contributes to the fun and ease of playing the role of mother for Wendy is that her parents are actively present in her life. Because Darling children have parents who constantly play with them and give them time and affection, they recognize their mother's role as someone to look up to and adore. Peter Pan also recognizes Mr. and Mrs. Darling's strong affection: "O Wendy, thy mother was telling thee such a beautiful story" (47). Mrs. Darling is always reading stories to her children. Encouraging children to use their imagination allows Wendy to try to play the role of mother as best she can. In addition to the encouragement to be creative, Wendy feels no reason to worry about her parents because Wendy trusts in the love her parents have for her, she has no worries about losing them. “Wendy didn't really worry about her father and mother, she was absolutely sure that they would always keep the window open to let her come back, and that gave her total peace of mind; mind." (65) With the presence of her parents, Wendy can have all the fun she wants in Neverland without any burden. On the other hand, the biggest and most important reason why Dora struggles to fulfill the role of a mother is because of absence of both parents. In The Story of the Treasure Seekers, the Bastable children cope with the loss of their mother by distracting themselves and helping their father, who is always working, get money. Near the beginning of the novel, Oswald says, “Our mother she's dead, and if you think we don't care because I don't tell you much about her, you just show that you don't understand people at all" (45). not to discuss the pain she feels now that her mother is gone. Another example that shows the Bastable children ignoring their mother's thoughts is when Albert's uncle next door confronts the children about Albert's mother's fear, "'We're very, very sorry. We didn't think about his mother. You see, we try our best not to think about other people's mothers...'” (14) Even though the Bastable children, on the whole, try not to think about their mother, she is constantly on Dora's mind because she passed on the her role "And when mother died she said, 'Dora, take care of others, teach them to be good, keep them out of trouble and make them happy.' She said, 'Take care of them for me, Dora dear.'" ( 34) Fulfilling the role of mother is especially difficult for Dora because she feels an obligation to put aside her inner child to successfully fulfill this role. Dora spends so much time caring for her siblings who are not there. it's no one to stop and take care of her. Keep in mind: this is just an example. Get a now..