Written By: Carlo Collodi
Libro.Livre.Buch.Livro.BOOK. One word, many different languages, yet one universal meaning.
Although I never really thought too much into it, I found it really interesting in class to discuss and analyze the topic of famous children's genres. One of these most recent genres revolves around the area of folk and fairy tales. It is truly amazing how you can also take one influential folk story, translate it into many different languages, and adapt it for various cultures and countries all around the world.
Being proud of my own families' Italian culture and heritage, I felt the need to blog about a famous Italian fairytale and children's book that has also been portrayed in many different languages throughout the world. It has been particularly influential in the American society through the works of Walt Disney, but has generally become a classic tale for many children in this country. This is the original story of Le Avventure di Pinocchio, or as we know it, Pinocchio.
Pinocchio was originally written in 1883 by the Italian children's writer, Carlo Collodi which was actually his pen name when he was writing. Although most books have a specific particular genre, Collodi as well as myself agree that Pinocchio can be describe both as a fantasy, allegory and folklore. As the majority of us are aware, the story of Pinocchio is about a wooden puppet whose only one wish is to become a real boy.
I always find it amazing how authors, even in their adults lives, can connect their own life story through the words and illustrations of a book. As a child Collodi was always mischievous, imprudent, never valued what he received from others, curious, disobedient, selfish and gullible. These were all the characteristics that Collidi decided to use in creating his character of Pinocchio. If you have read this story before, you can agree that all of these elements can be most positively identified in every single scene of the book. Because Collidi was sent to the seminary at a young age, and did not have much of a childhood, he developed a creative imaginative and wanted to design a character that was likable and fun, but also taught a valuable lesson.
Pinocchio as a children's book is one of those stories that I can really say is not simple at all; it is rather complex! However, even within this complexity it can be a great resource to use in the classroom because it has the capability to send such an important messages to young children and students. This adorable character of Pinocchio, who is much like a naive child himself, can also teach children the precious values of life as well as the importance to embrace those people who truly care and love us. Although we may not like to be disciplined by our elders, they give us disciplines because they care. Collodi also has the talent to convey other themes through Pinocchio. Some of these major themes include peer pressure, learning and taking responsible for our actions, correcting them, and the use our conscience to guide us.
One of the major reasons why I think it's important to recognize and embrace Collodi as an author is because, just like us teachers, Collodi truly believed in the importance of receiving a good education.
He wanted to show us that being disobedient can lead to evil, trouble and unhappiness. He also stresses that being honest and working hard is important and is key to doing well in school. The famous scene of Pinocchio's nose growing every time he tells a lie is a simple and visual way to show children why it is bad to be deceitful. Through Collodi's life experiences, he wanted Pinocchio to represent that idea that we've all heard which is knowledge equals power. Once we can embrace that, we can come to understand what is real. For Pinocchio, once he himself came to face his greatest challenges and found his way back home, he finally became a, "real boy."
As a child I was read the story of Pinocchio both in English and Italian, and for me each message then and today has come across the same. We live in a world were we are constantly faced with making difficult decisions. Sometimes we ourselves can feel as if we are attached to strings like a marionette, controlled by others or by what the world tell us to do. However, if we make the right decisions and walk down the right path, we can be set free into this world. The message that I take away from Pinocchio is that life is full of experiences and that as human beings we are going to fall into traps and make wrong decisions. Life is a constant battle, but we must decide on what is wrong and right, what is good and bad, what is materialistic and imaginary and what is real and pure.
Pinocchio. One word. Many themes. Many folktales. One universal meaning.
Hello Cristina,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I did not get the chance to read the original book of Pinocchio but I really enjoyed reading your blog about this book. I had not idea that the original story was from Italy! I know the Pinocchio story, like most of us, from the work of Disney.
This story show disobedient children as they are - personalities that need to be taught, disciplined, and loved. Once they are set on the right track they will be able to do a better job and be successful. Reading this book in the classroom help the children understand the importance of being honest and working hard to get what they want.