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The Adventures of Pinocchio
Scouts · 1st–3rd
The Fairy forgives Pinocchio because his sorrow showed a kind heart, yet she ends with “now it is up to you.” What does she trust in him, his tears or his promise?
The tension The Fairy says his deep sorrow shows a kind heart and there is hope for him, while she also says work and obedience are still all to come, and Pinocchio's face falls when she names them.
Notice what the Fairy sees in Pinocchio, and what she asks him to do now.
The little woman admits she is the Fairy with Azure Hair, and Pinocchio is overjoyed. She tells him Marionettes never grow, but he may become a man if he deserves it, and she names what good boys do. Pinocchio promises to change, then balks at school and work. The Fairy tells him laziness is a serious illness, he promises again, and she answers, “now it is up to you.”
Start with the list of what good boys do. Ask which of the four would be hardest for Pinocchio.
Retell The student tells the chapter back in order: the Fairy admits who she is, Marionettes never grow, the list of what good boys do, the first promise, the school and trade talk, and the last promise.
Imitate the author After copying the sentence, the student says one sentence of their own that names a feeling and says what it helped someone see.
Debate Take sides on the big question: does the Fairy trust Pinocchio's tears or his promise? Each side uses one line from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why the author lets the Fairy forgive Pinocchio before she asks anything of him.
Easier Read the Fairy's list of what good boys do aloud together and talk through discussion questions 1 and 2 only.
On level Talk through all four discussion questions, then have the student give one critical-thinking answer aloud with two details from the chapter.
Harder Ask the student to find one more place where Pinocchio's words and his feelings do not quite match, and to say what shows it.
1. Each time the Fairy starts to say what good boys do, Pinocchio finishes with his own fault. Why might he be so quick to say it?Character
What it asks It asks why Pinocchio finishes the Fairy's sentences for her, and whether that comes from honesty or from wanting to please her.
He is honest: he knows his faults and says them plainly.
And I never obey.
And I, on the contrary, am a lazy fellow and a tramp all year round.
He wants to say it first so she will stop scolding and hear his promise.
Good boys love study and work, but you--
And I get sick if I go to school. From now on I’ll be different.
A strong answer Pinocchio could be telling the truth, since each fault he names is plain and he does not argue. He could also be getting ahead of the Fairy, because he finishes her sentences and then promises to be different. A strong answer picks a reason, points to one of the faults he names, and says what his quickness shows.
2. The Fairy says school starts tomorrow, and Pinocchio’s face fell a little. What does his face tell us that his words do not?Inference
What it asks It asks what the small change in Pinocchio's face shows, set against all that he has just promised.
He does not want to go: his face tells the truth his promises hide.
Pinocchio’s face fell a little.
that it seems too late for me to go to school now
He still means it: the fall is only a little, and he soon promises again.
Gladly, very gladly, more than gladly!
I’ll work; I’ll study; I’ll do all you tell me.
A strong answer His face tells us school is not what he wants to hear. He had said gladly, more than gladly, and then whines in a whisper that it is too late for school. But the fall is only a little, and later he says seriously that he will work and study. A strong answer says what the face shows and whether it outweighs his words.
3. Pinocchio says he has long wanted a mother “just like other boys.” Why might that matter so much to him?Theme
What it asks It asks what a mother means to Pinocchio: someone to love and look after him, or a way of being like everyone else.
He wants love and care, and he fears losing the Fairy again.
I am very glad of that, for then I can call you mother instead of sister.
Tell me, little Mother, it isn’t true that you are dead, is it?
He wants to belong, to be like other boys.
For a long time I have wanted a mother, just like other boys.
It’s about time for me to grow into a man as everyone else does.
A strong answer Pinocchio says it twice over: he wants a mother, and he wants to be just like other boys. One reading is that he wants care and love, which is why he asks if she is dead. Another is that he wants to belong, since he is tired of being different. A strong answer picks what he seems to want more and points to his words.
4. The chapter ends with the Fairy saying, “now it is up to you.” Why might the author give her the last word?Author's choice
What it asks It asks why the chapter closes on the Fairy's line instead of Pinocchio's, and what that leaves for the reader to wonder about.
It puts the weight on Pinocchio: the next step is his.
and now it is up to you
I’ll work; I’ll study; I’ll do all you tell me.
It shows the Fairy making a promise too.
Yes, I promise
From now on, I’ll be your own little mother.
A strong answer Pinocchio makes his promise, and then the Fairy gets the last word. One reading is that her line hands the next step to Pinocchio and leaves the reader wondering what he will do. Another is that she makes a promise of her own, so the ending is about both of them. A strong answer picks a reading and says what the last line leaves open.
1. Pinocchio says he wants to be a good boy, and also that he is tired of being a Marionette. Using two details, tell which wish seems stronger.
What it asks It asks the student to tell apart wanting to be good from wanting to stop being a Marionette, and to weigh which Pinocchio's words show more.
Being good: he wants to comfort his father.
I want to become a good boy and be a comfort to my father.
Where is my poor father now?
Being a boy: he is tired of what he is now.
the life of a Marionette has grown very tiresome to me and I want to become a boy, no matter how hard it is
A strong answer Both wishes are real, and the chapter lets us hear each one. He says he wants to be a good boy and a comfort to his father, and he asks where his father is. Later he says the life of a Marionette has grown very tiresome and he wants to become a boy, no matter how hard it is. A strong answer picks the stronger wish and gives two different details.
2. The Fairy says people who will not work end badly. Using two details from her speech, tell what she most wants Pinocchio to understand.
What it asks It asks whether the Fairy is warning Pinocchio about what laziness does, or showing him what work gives.
She wants him to see that laziness is dangerous.
Laziness is a serious illness and one must cure it immediately
If not, it will kill you in the end.
She wants him to see that work is part of a good life.
No one can find happiness without work.
A man, remember, whether rich or poor, should do something in this world.
A strong answer The Fairy does both in one speech. She warns that laziness is a serious illness that will kill you in the end. She also says no one can find happiness without work, and that everyone, rich or poor, should do something in this world. A strong answer picks which the Fairy cares about more and uses two different details.
3. Pinocchio’s father is missing, and the Fairy says, “I do not know.” Using two details, tell how much hope her answers give.
What it asks It asks the student to weigh what the Fairy does not know against what she says she is sure of.
A lot of hope: she is sure Pinocchio will find him, and he is overjoyed.
I think so. Indeed, I am sure of it.
At this answer, Pinocchio’s happiness was very great.
Not much: she says she does not know where his father is.
I do not know.
I think so.
A strong answer The Fairy does not know where his father is, so she cannot say where to look. But she says, “I think so. Indeed, I am sure of it,” and Pinocchio's happiness is very great. The chapter does not say if he will find him. A strong answer weighs her not knowing against her being sure, and uses two different details.