Classics Corner: Peter Rabbit
With Easter around the corner and Spring vibes in full swing, it seemed like the best time to launch another edition of the Classics Corner. I hope, wherever you are, the turn of seasons is giving you reasons for hope and optimism.
-Sri
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Written and Illustrated by Beatrix Potter
Recommended Ages: 3-6 years old
Buy now* | Read Online | Borrow from the library
Four little rabbits live with their mother “under the root of a very big fir tree.” Mother Rabbit warns her children to stay far away from old Mr. McGregor’s garden. After all, that’s where Father Rabbit met with his demise and became supper for Mr. McGregor.
While Mother Rabbit is out, the bunnies heed her warning. But Peter Rabbit—perhaps saddled with the foibles of the human condition given his very human name?—is not like his siblings. Without further ado, he squeezes his way into McGregor’s garden where a veritable feast awaits. After munching his way through the garden, who should Peter Rabbit come across? Mr. McGregor himself! A wild rabbit chase ensues and in his frantic panic, Peter forgets how to get out of the garden. When all seems lost, sparrows encourage him forward and Peter manages a great escape.
The only casualty from Peter’s adventure is his brand new blue coat with big, brass buttons that McGregor turns into a little scarecrow to scare off crows and probably also bunnies. Exhausted, Peter makes his way home and his mother—mystified by his malaise—gives him some chamomile tea and packs him off to bed. At the same time, his siblings enjoy bread, milk, and the blackberries they spent the afternoon gathering while Peter was off breaking and entering.
![[Illustration]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SdNI!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9686f6e-91ce-4612-afee-5910fe6f0d88_409x537.jpeg "[Illustration]")
On the face of it, Peter Rabbit is a simple tale but it’s that same simplicity paired with the quaint bucolic watercolor illustrations that have rendered it a classic. The picturesque gardens and the cutest, naughtiest little bunny in a blue coat is pretty hard to resist.
![[Illustration]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1w4A!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcffec1de-82f4-47b6-aaa2-414501b95561_408x530.jpeg "[Illustration]")
My thoughts
I’ve always puzzled a bit over Peter Rabbit. It’s a gorgeously illustrated story about something every child is familiar with—disobedience. The difference is, in this case, the stakes are incredibly high. Peter Rabbit not only disobeys his mother but he knowingly enters the garden where his dad became, literally, dead meat. And this is not unknown information. His mother warns him about this before the day begins.
It’s Peter’s two big faults that land him in a heap of trouble: gluttony and disobedience. The consequences he faces are significant: humiliation—he makes his way home with the indignity of being completely nude—and a genuine fight for his life. These are not mild rebukes for bad behavior. Despite the muted pastels and softness of Potter’s delicate illustrations, the undertone is undeniably dark.
And it’s no surprise when you learn that Beatrix Potter was a big fan of fables. Many of her works are modeled in that same spirit: moralistic tales full of adventure with an underlying darkness. Will the severity of the tale fly over kids’ heads? Probably. But as an adult, you can’t help but wonder how you equate the sweet, mischievous bunny of your childhood to the one that is a greedy, trespassing thief. Reading this as an adult was shocking—not nearly as shocking as learning the true story of Sleeping Beauty—but still a surprise.
Do I recommend avoiding it? No. There is nothing objectively bad about this book and it does do a good job of demonstrating (dire) consequences. The moral element is transmitted loud and clear.
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Conversation starters
How do you think Peter Rabbit felt when he made it home?
Who was wrong? Peter Rabbit or Mr. McGregor? Why?
Interesting facts
A stuffed Peter Rabbit toy was introduced soon after the initial publishing date of the book making Peter Rabbit the oldest, licensed, fictional character. This might be another reason why this character has endured as a classic
Peter Rabbit took shape when Beatrix Potter dreamed him up in a series of little stories she penned for her former governess’ son
Let’s Talk…
Why do you think Peter Rabbit is such a famous classic?
Did you read Peter Rabbit when you were a child? How did it compare to rereading it as an adult?
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I've never read Peter Rabbit to my kids but they went and watched the movie at the library this past week. My 3 year old kept talking about the bunnies giving the farmer a heart attack!
I just started these (Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, The Flopsy Bunnies) with my 3.5y/o this week. As an adult they are hard to read because of the very things you mention. But she is completely invested in them and it’s so touching to see how she reacts to them.