“ Fairies have to be one thing or the other, because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time. ”
J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan (1911). copy citation
| Author | J. M. Barrie |
|---|---|
| Source | Peter Pan |
| Topic | feelings smallness fairy |
| Date | 1911 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16/16-h/16-h.htm |
Context
“I don't know whether the idea came suddenly to Tink, or whether she had planned it on the way, but she at once popped out of the hat and began to lure Wendy to her destruction. Tink was not all bad; or, rather, she was all bad just now, but, on the other hand, sometimes she was all good. Fairies have to be one thing or the other, because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time. They are, however, allowed to change, only it must be a complete change. At present she was full of jealousy of Wendy. What she said in her lovely tinkle Wendy could not of course understand, and I believe some of it was bad words, but it sounded kind, and she flew back and forward, plainly meaning "Follow me, and all will be well."”
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Meaning and analysis
