Peter and Wendy · Chapter
XIII: Do You Believe in Fairies? explained
The pirates capture all the Lost Boys and Wendy, trussing them up and carrying them to the ship in the little house.
What happens
The pirates capture all the Lost Boys and Wendy, trussing them up and carrying them to the ship in the little house. Hook discovers Slightly's secret—that he whittled his tree to fit his girth—and uses it to enter the underground home and poison Peter's medicine. Tinker Bell overhears Hook's muttering, flies to warn Peter, and drinks the poison herself to save him. As she fades, Peter appeals to all children who might be dreaming of Neverland to clap if they believe in fairies, saving Tink. Peter then sets out alone to rescue Wendy, swearing 'Hook or me this time.'
Themes in this chapter
Imagination and Make-Believe
The entire climax hinges on the power of belief: Peter's plea for children to clap if they believe in fairies directly saves Tinker Bell's life, underscoring the theme that imagination can alter reality.
The Nature of Evil and Villainy
Hook's cold, calculating poisoning of Peter's medicine—using a self-blended, science-defying poison—and his exultation in the act portray evil as deliberate, intelligent, and utterly without remorse.
Fear of Abandonment and Loss
Peter's terror at Tink's fading light and his desperate cry to unseen children reflect a deep fear of losing those who love and protect him, a recurring anxiety in the story.
Characters to notice
- Peter Pan
Peter sleeps through Hook's poisoning of his medicine, is awakened by Tinker Bell's knock, and after Tink drinks the poison, he desperately calls on children to clap to save her. He then arms himself and sets out to rescue Wendy.
- Wendy Darling
Wendy is captured last, escorted with ironic politeness by Hook, and is briefly entranced by his manner. She is tied up and placed in the little house with the other children.
- Captain Hook
Hook orchestrates the capture of the children, discovers Slightly's secret, and uses it to enter the underground home. He poisons Peter's medicine with a virulent yellow liquid, then departs, looking like 'the very spirit of evil.'
- Tinker Bell
Tink overhears Hook's muttering, flies to warn Peter, and drinks the poisoned medicine to save him. She nearly dies but is revived when children clap in belief. She then urges Peter to rescue Wendy.
- Slightly
Slightly's secret—that he whittled his tree to fit his girth after swelling from drinking water—is discovered by Hook, leading to the poisoning plot. He is tied up with the others and bitterly regrets his actions.
- Curly
Curly is the first to emerge from his tree and is captured by the pirates, tossed from one to another before being tied up.
Key passages
“The more quickly this horror is disposed of the better.”
The narrator wants to get through describing this terrible event as fast as possible.
Opening line sets a tone of urgency and dread.
“Had she haughtily unhanded him (and we should have loved to write it of her), she would have been hurled through the air like the others, and then Hook would probably not have been present at the tying of the children; and had he not been at the tying he would not have discovered Slightly's secret, and without the secret he could not presently have made his foul attempt on Peter's life.”
If Wendy had refused Hook's arm, she would have been tossed like the others, and Hook would have missed discovering Slightly's secret, preventing his later attempt to poison Peter.
A chain of cause and effect showing how a small moment leads to a major crisis.
“If you believe, clap your hands; don't let Tink die.”
Peter calls on all dreaming children to clap if they believe in fairies, so Tinker Bell can survive.
The pivotal moment where belief directly affects the story's outcome.
“Hook or me this time.”
Peter swears that this time, either Hook will die or he will.
Peter's oath sets up the final confrontation.
