Online Response: Pinnocchio

Though I have watched Pinocchio several times and appreciated the incredible craft that went into that film, this was the first time I watched it with the education of children in mind. Though at first glance, Pinocchio appears to be an easily understood tale of black and white didacticism, I would argue that the story allows the children to identify with all of the characters on screen, even the villains. Though it pounds home clear moral lessons, it also teaches that everyone has their reasons.
The film Pinocchio has taken on greater meaning since reading the original story by Carlo Collodi. In the original tale, Pinocchio is a bitter child, who kicks Gepetto as soon as he has legs, and flees the home. Pinocchio consistently makes poor and selfish choices which lead to his own demise, and the role of the tempters in his life is minimized. Reminiscent of other old folk tales, such as Little Red Riding Hood, the blame is placed solely on the protagonist. He makes many mistakes, and must pay for them. Only when he begins to make good choices, does he become a 'real boy', and in effect, leaves the wooden form, a metaphor for his childhood.
Walt Disney changes the story in many ways. Pinocchio is easy to relate with for children and adults alike. He is naive and curious, but well meaning. When he makes mistakes, it is for the most part because he is deceived, though he is rather well meaning. Instead of killing the cricket early in the story, Disney's cricket faithfully follows Pinocchio through thick and thin, a constant mother/friend figure who dispenses advice and forgives Pinocchio quickly. The fox and cat, though certainly villainous, are also silly and are trying to make their way in the world. Stromboli is certainly mean, but he is a business man, who simply does not understand Pinocchio's needs. Lampwick, though a poor influence on Pinocchio, is a misguided child himself.
This makes for a difference in the way that morality is addresses in the story. Disney's Pinocchio is a story about how children can be buffeted about in a world of confusing messages, and must stay close to their parent figures or spiritual guides. In this light, I consider the film accurate in its teachings. Whenever Pinocchio stays close to his 'guides' or true friends, he is lead on the right path. Furthermore, even when he is lead astray, he is given the opportunity of coming back. In the end, he ultimately receives forgiveness, saves his family, and sheds his childhood ignorance. Though this story does not address problems of villains being within your family or friend group, it is effective at teaching moralism within a strong family structure.
What I feel like Pinocchio lacks is a praise of adventure. Though I know we are going to address this later on in the semester, it is disappointing to me that if Pinocchio were to always stay at home, it seems all he would ever do would be go to school. Though his adventures often get him into trouble, I believe that it is those very situations that teach him how to become a real boy. If he had not put his finger into the candle, he would have never though to smoke out the belly of the whale. Likewise, if Pinocchio had never gone from the beaten path, he may have never learned what he needed to finally receive the blessing from the blue fairy.