The Adventures of Pinocchio

Using the example of Little Man as well as the vultures, hawks, and foxes in the City of Simple Simons, who benefits from capitalist systems of industrialization? Who suffers?

In your opinion, does becoming a father to Pinocchio improve Geppetto’s life? Justify why or why not using textual evidence.

Do you believe that the fate of Lamp-Wick and the other boys in the Land of Toys is justified? Explain your decision using textual evidence.

Are there clues in the early chapters that Pinocchio will eventually progress from an antihero to a hero, or is his character development surprising?

Based on the characterization of the City of Simple Simons, what advice might Collodi give to Italian peasants leaving their small towns and villages for the first time?

Pinocchio initially refuses the bitter medicine, insisting that he only wants sugar cubes. This metaphor could refer to other decisions Pinocchio makes; what are other instances of Pinocchio refusing metaphorical “bitter medicine” in favor of “sugar cubes” and suffering as a result?

According to Collodi, what attributes make a good parent? Explain your answer using textual evidence.

From a didactic perspective, why does Collodi conclude the tale of the cat and the fox with them living in poverty and humiliation? What message might have been inadvertently imparted if they had been living in prosperity?