The Adventures of Pinocchio · Chapter
IX: Pinocchio Goes to See a Puppet Show explained
On his way to school, Pinocchio is distracted by the sound of fifes and drums leading to a puppet show.
What happens
On his way to school, Pinocchio is distracted by the sound of fifes and drums leading to a puppet show. He sells his new spelling book to a hawker for a dime to buy a ticket, forgetting his father Geppetto's sacrifice.
Themes in this chapter
Education and Labor
Pinocchio chooses entertainment over education, selling the book his father sacrificed to buy.
Parental Sacrifice and Love
Geppetto's sacrifice of his coat is contrasted with Pinocchio's frivolous sale of the spelling book.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Today at school I will learn to read at once; then tomorrow I will begin to write, and the day after tomorrow to figure.”
Pinocchio daydreams about quickly mastering reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Shows his initial good intentions before temptation strikes.
“That poor man really deserves it, for to buy me books and have me taught he has remained in his shirtsleeves. And in this cold! It is only fathers who are capable of such sacrifices!”
Pinocchio reflects on Geppetto's sacrifice of selling his coat to afford the spelling book.
Highlights the theme of parental sacrifice.
“Today I will go and hear the fifes, and tomorrow I will go to school.”
Pinocchio decides to postpone school to enjoy the puppet show.
Illustrates his impulsive nature and poor decision-making.
“I will buy the spelling-book for a dime.”
A secondhand clothes dealer offers to buy Pinocchio's spelling book.
The moment Pinocchio trades his education for entertainment.