The Adventures of Pinocchio
Chapter 32 — Teaching Companion
Carlo Collodi · Scouts 1st–3rd
Coaching, not a script — and not an answer key: every question here has more than one defensible answer.
This chapter's big question
Pinocchio first says the fault is all Lamp-Wick’s, and then says he is heedless and heartless himself. Which of his two answers is nearer the truth?
The tension Pinocchio blames his friend for the Land of Toys, yet in the same talk he admits he followed on his own, and then he and Lamp-Wick hide their ears and laugh instead of feeling ashamed.
Today's focus
Notice how Pinocchio talks about blame: what he says about Lamp-Wick, and what he says about himself.
Two core ideas
- Blame can point two ways: Pinocchio says the fault is all Lamp-Wick’s, and in the same talk he calls himself heedless and heartless.
- Shame can be hidden: both friends put cotton bags over their ears, tell small lies and laugh until they cry, and then both change.
The shape at a glance
Pinocchio wakes with donkey's ears, and the Dormouse tells him he will become a real donkey within hours. He blames Lamp-Wick, then calls himself heedless and heartless, and goes out with a cotton bag on his head. He finds Lamp-Wick hiding the same trouble under a bag, and the two tell small lies, then laugh until they cry. Then both turn into donkeys and bray, and the chapter ends with the Little Man knocking at the door.
A way in
Start with the long ears. Ask what Pinocchio does when he sees them in the basin.
Lesson plan
Retell The student tells the chapter back in order: the long ears, the Dormouse, the talk about Lamp-Wick, the cotton bags, the contract, the laughing and the change.
Imitate the author After copying the sentence, the student says one sentence of their own that repeats one word again and again, to show something going on and on.
Debate Take sides on the big question: which of Pinocchio's two answers is nearer the truth? Each side uses one line from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why the author lets the two friends laugh just before they change.
Easier Read the Dormouse's talk with Pinocchio aloud together and talk through discussion questions 2 and 3 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 a character says one thing and means another.
Discussion
- The more Pinocchio shrieks, the longer his ears grow. Why might the author put those two things side by side?Author's choice
What it asks It asks why the author ties the growing ears to Pinocchio's cries, and what that says about crying over what has happened.
One reading
It shows that crying cannot help: his grief makes nothing better.
the more he shrieked, the longer and the more hairy grew his ears
And tears now are useless.
Another reading
It is a joke the author makes, even while Pinocchio suffers.
Fancy how he felt when he noticed that overnight those two dainty organs had become as long as shoe brushes!
Guess!
Listen for
- Uses the sentence about the shrieking and the ears.
- Says what the author wants the reader to feel.
If stuck
- What does Pinocchio do when he sees his ears in the basin?
- What happens to his ears while he shrieks?
A strong answer The author says that the more Pinocchio shrieked, the longer and hairier his ears grew, and later the Dormouse tells him tears are useless. One reading is that this shows crying cannot undo what has happened. Another is that the author is joking, since he also says the ears are as long as shoe brushes and tells the reader to guess. A strong answer picks a reading and says what the reader feels.
- The Dormouse tells Pinocchio, “You should have thought of all this before.” Is she being fair or hard on him? What makes you think so?Moral reasoning
What it asks It asks the student to judge whether the Dormouse's words help Pinocchio or only scold him, using how she speaks and what she says.
One reading
Fair, even kind: she is sorry for him and tries to cheer him up.
looked up at him sorrowfully
answered the Dormouse to cheer him up a bit
Another reading
Hard: she says tears are useless while he is sobbing.
I am sorry to say it is. And tears now are useless.
asked the Marionette, sobbing bitterly
Listen for
- Uses the Dormouse's words and how she says them.
- Says what Pinocchio needs at that moment.
If stuck
- How does the Dormouse look when she gives the news?
- What does Pinocchio do while she speaks?
A strong answer The Dormouse looks up at Pinocchio sorrowfully and tries to cheer him up, so she does not seem to enjoy giving the news. But she also says tears are useless and that he should have thought of all this before, while he is sobbing bitterly. A strong answer says whether her words help Pinocchio or hurt him, and uses what she says or does.
- Pinocchio calls himself “heedless and heartless.” Do those words fit him? What makes you think so?Character
What it asks It asks whether Pinocchio's harsh words about himself are fair, using what he did and what he says he wanted.
One reading
They fit: he followed Lamp-Wick and left the Fairy who was kind to him.
I should never have abandoned that good Fairy, who loved me so well and who has been so kind to me!
I am a heedless Marionette--heedless and heartless
Another reading
They are too strong: he wanted to go home and be obedient, and he is full of grief.
I wanted to return home. I wanted to be obedient.
I leave you to think of the terrible grief, the shame, the despair of the poor Marionette.
Listen for
- Uses Pinocchio's own words and what he did.
- Says what the two words mean, in the student's own words.
If stuck
- What does Pinocchio say he wanted to do before Lamp-Wick spoke?
- Whom does he say he abandoned?
A strong answer Heedless means not paying attention and heartless means not caring. Pinocchio did leave the Fairy who was kind to him, so the words have something to them. But he also says he wanted to go home and be obedient, and the chapter shows his grief and shame, which a heartless boy might not feel. A strong answer says whether the words fit and uses what Pinocchio says or does.
- When they see each other’s ears, Pinocchio and Lamp-Wick laugh until they cry. Is that funny, sad, or both? What makes you think so?Tone
What it asks It asks the student to name the mood of the laughing scene and to point to the words that make it that way.
One reading
Funny: the two friends poke fun at each other and laugh till they ache.
They laughed and laughed, and laughed again--laughed till they ached--laughed till they cried.
began to poke fun at each other
Another reading
Sad: they should feel sorrowful and ashamed, and the laughing is a way of hiding it.
instead of feeling sorrowful and ashamed
And then a scene took place which is hard to believe, but it is all too true.
Listen for
- Names a feeling and points to a word or an action.
- Notices that something else follows the laughing.
If stuck
- What does the author say they did instead of feeling sorrowful?
- What happens to Lamp-Wick right after the laughing?
A strong answer It can be both. The two friends poke fun at each other and laugh until they ache, which is funny to picture. But the author says they should have felt sorrowful and ashamed, and right after the laughing Lamp-Wick is pale as a ghost and cannot stand up. A strong answer names the mood or moods and points to one word or action for each.
Critical thinking
- The Dormouse says Pinocchio will turn into a donkey within hours. Using two details, tell how Pinocchio takes the news.
What it asks It asks the student to say how Pinocchio meets the news: as something he half knew, or as something that makes him upset.
One reading
He half knows already and is afraid.
beginning to understand even too well what was happening to him
Another reading
He is upset and angry, and does not want to accept it.
Oh, what have I done? What have I done?
grasping his two long ears in his hands and pulling and tugging at them angrily, just as if they belonged to another
Listen for
- Two different details, not one told twice.
- Says what Pinocchio feels, not only what he does.
If stuck
- What does the chapter say Pinocchio understands before he is told?
- What does Pinocchio do with his ears when he hears the news?
A strong answer Pinocchio is not fully surprised: the chapter says he begins to understand even too well what is happening to him. But he is still upset, since he cries, “Oh, what have I done?” and pulls and tugs at his long ears angrily, as if they belonged to another. A strong answer says what he feels and uses two different details.
- Pinocchio looks for Lamp-Wick everywhere. Using two details, tell what he wants from him.
What it asks It asks the student to say whether Pinocchio is looking for someone to scold or for a friend who shares his trouble.
One reading
He wants to tell him off.
if I meet Lamp-Wick I am going to tell him what I think of him--and more, too!
the fault is all Lamp-Wick’s
Another reading
He wants company, since having a friend in the same trouble makes it easier.
At the sight of that bag, Pinocchio felt slightly happier
My friend must be suffering from the same sickness that I am!
Listen for
- Two different details, not one told twice.
- Says whether he wants someone to blame or someone to share the trouble.
If stuck
- What does Pinocchio say he will tell Lamp-Wick if they meet?
- How does Pinocchio feel when he sees Lamp-Wick's bag?
A strong answer Pinocchio says he will tell Lamp-Wick what he thinks of him, and more, too, and he says “the fault is all Lamp-Wick’s,” so he wants someone to blame. But when he sees the cotton bag on Lamp-Wick's head, he feels slightly happier, as if company makes it easier. A strong answer picks what he wants most and uses two different details.
- The friends agree on “a contract” to take off their caps together. Using two details, tell why they need one.
What it asks It asks why two friends who already suspect the truth still need a rule for showing their ears.
One reading
Neither will go first: each wants to see the other's ears before showing his own.
No. You must show yours first.
No, my dear! Yours first, then mine.
Another reading
They already guess it is the same sickness, so the contract is a way to be found out together.
I wonder if it could be the same sickness.
I’m afraid it is.
Listen for
- Two different details, not one told twice.
- Says what each friend is afraid of.
If stuck
- What does each friend say when asked to show his ears first?
- What do they already say about the same sickness?
A strong answer Each friend wants the other to go first: Pinocchio says, “You must show yours first,” and Lamp-Wick answers, “Yours first, then mine.” But they also already guess it is the same sickness, so the contract may be a way to be found out at the same moment. A strong answer picks a reason and uses two different details.