Pinocchio

P: What do you think is the defining moment for the main character in your book?

R: I think that the defining point for Pinocchio came when he saved Geppetto from the Dog-fish. Over and over again Pinocchio was faced with minor tests of character that he couldn't seem to over come. At this point in the story; however, the puppet finally was able to put someone else's happiness before his own. As he swam his father back to the shore, he managed to not only carry him upon his back, but also give him words of encouragement even when he felt all hope was lost. He next was faced again by the Cat and the Fox whom had previously deceived him on multiple occasion. To this temptation he said "Begone, impostors! You took me in once, but you will never catch me again." Before Pinocchio saved his father he would have been fooled by these two villains, but he had finally seemed to have learned his lesson. As Pinocchio continues to worry about the health of his father he begins to make choice to which he would have never made previously to his many misfortunes. Pinnocchio admits that the talking cricket is right in his advice and apologizes for throwing the hammer at him. He begins to work and nurse his father back to health and begins to prove what he has learned in every single lesson he had faced previously in the book. It is at this point that the blue fairy decides Pinnochio is finally ready to become a real boy.

Pinocchio

P: If the purpose of your novel is implicit, tell what you think the purpose is and why.

R: As I mentioned previously I feel that the author's purpose in the original novel is not necessarily spelled out. Or it is at least slightly clouded. It just confuses me because as I mentioned he goes through these many miniature plot lines which would lead you to assume he would finally learn his lesson but he never would. After realizing Geppetto was really very good to him he should have gone to school like a good boy but instead sells his spelling book to go see a puppet show where he is almost killed. He then realizes that not listening to his father only gets him in trouble and decides that this time he really will go to school. On his way, he once again becomes tempted by thieves and their offer of money. Over and over again Pinocchio learns the same overarching lesson and continues to screw it all up. This is why I feel as though the lesson is slightly clouded because Pinocchio keeps confusing the reader by not doing the right thing. I believe that the author's purpose in the end; however, is to teach his audience, namely young children, to be good little kids that listen to their parents. Within this large lesson I think that his many other faults provide to show even smaller lessons. For example, in multiple situations the puppet learns to eat what he is given. He also learns to take his medicine, and to never steal something that is not your own. In the grand scheme of things I believe that children are to take from this book an understanding that they should always listen to their parents.

Pinocchio

P: How does the original version of the novel compare to that of modern day interpretations?

R: In response to my goals in reading the novel, I can't say I remember the entirety of the Disney classic to which I am so familiar, however I can say that there are some massive differences between the two. To begin with Jiminy Cricket is crushed by Pinocchio within a few pages of his introduction. To give you the exact words, "he remained dried up and flattened against the wall." (p. 30) It's incredible to think that these fairy tales were designed for children! Just before this Pinocchio runs away from Geppetto and gets him thrown in jail! When Jiminy Cricket (or simply "The Talking-Cricket" as he is called in the novel) tries to scold Pinocchio for what he has done this is when Pinochhio rears up and flattens him. After this Pinocchio's legs are burned off over a pile of coal. I'm listing all of these examples literally because these what seem like seriously damaging plot twist happen all within a few pages of each other. There is about three times as much content in this novel than in that of the movie and it is about ten times more morbid. Over and over again Pinocchio finds himself in situations that almost end his life. He gets into a situation to which feels like could last the plot of an entire story but instead it lasts only 20 pages. In addition to the comparison in content I know that the purpose of the movies and fairy tales of today is much more overt to the audience and is made much easier to grasp for young children.

Pinocchio

Author: C. Collodi

Publication: not listed

P: Why did you choose this book? What are your expectations?

R: On the last day of first semester when you gave us our homework to read, read, read, I decided that my 13 hour road trip to New York would be a good place to do just that. In searching for a book recommendation, I went to my little sister whom is an avid reader. She is very into fantasy books and I asked that she not give me any teen novels about vampires. I laughed when she pulled off the shelf two novels that I had never seen her reading in my life. Pinocchio and The DaVinci Code. I assume she thought the recommendations to be fool proof considering they had both been made into films. I first began reading The DaVinci Code but as I mentioned in my review of summer reading it felt much to much like the movie and left me very little room to create scenery or to imagine how I pictured the characters which, for me, is half the fun in reading a new book. This is when I turned my attention to Pinocchio. I knew that over the course of the year you had assigned us to read a classic and I figured this could be a good option. I had also seen the movie Pinocchio, of course, and I began to wonder how much the modern story line of this fairy tale had been distorted. As I began to read I continued to laugh out loud with in even the first few pages because the writing seemed so utterly ridiculous! The fight that develops between Geppetto and Antonio had me laughing enough to make my family wonder what exactly I was reading. At this point I flipped back to the front of the story and began reading out loud for 8 hours of my car ride.