For many social critics at the time, war seemed the perfect antidote to the growing decadence of British society. So in the very same moment, the hedonistic, pleasure-seeking lifestyle – seemingly exemplified in the person of Peter Pan – is seen to be directly opposite to its ‘antidote’, the courageous, self-sacrificing, patriotic youth who joins up insearch of the Great Adventure… a concept which can also claim to have origins in Peter Pan. And so Peter Pan, and Barrie, find themselves on both sides of the great divide in British society at the time.

Social Significance