EXPLORING THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE TRANSFORMATION OF “PETER PAN AND WENDY” NOVEL (1911) AND MOVIE ADAPTATION (2023)

Narrative structure refers to the foundational framework that dictates how a story
is conveyed to its audience, whether through reading, listening, or viewing. This
research explores the transformation of the narrative structure in the adaptation of
J.M. Barrie's novel "Peter Pan and Wendy" (1911) into the 2023 movie produced
by Walt Disney Pictures. Utilizing ecranisation theory and Caroline Denton's
(2007) narrative structure framework, the study examines the transformation on
five key narrative elements such as setting, characters, conflict, climax, and
resolution. This study utilizes a qualitative content analysis method to identify the
transformation that occurred. The research reveals significant changes, including
the reduction of characters from 27 to 23 and adding 2 new characters, 9 setting of
place in the novel are reduced to only 6 in the movie, the setting of time in the
movie is shorter compared to the novel, and modify the plot development. The
findings show that while the novel and movie share a common storyline, their
narrative structures diverge considerably, reflecting distinct storytelling
techniques and creative choices. This study provides insights into the adaptation
process, highlighting how filmmakers balance fidelity to the source material with
the need for innovation to suit the cinematic medium. By analyzing these
transformations, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of how classic
literary works are reimagined for contemporary audiences through movie.