The Adventures of Pinocchio · Chapter
XV: The Assassins Hang Pinocchio to the Big Oak explained
Pinocchio, pursued by assassins, desperately seeks refuge at a small white house where a beautiful blue-haired Child claims all inside are dead.
What happens
Pinocchio, pursued by assassins, desperately seeks refuge at a small white house where a beautiful blue-haired Child claims all inside are dead. Unable to gain entry, he is captured by the assassins, who attempt to stab him but break their knives on his hard wooden body. They then hang him from the Big Oak, leaving him to die. As a storm rages, Pinocchio swings helplessly, thinking of his father Geppetto, before losing consciousness.
Themes in this chapter
Obedience and Rebellion
Pinocchio's refusal to open his mouth and surrender his gold represents a rebellious defiance against the assassins, leading to his punishment by hanging.
Parental Sacrifice and Love
In his final moments, Pinocchio's thoughts turn to his father Geppetto, highlighting the deep bond and longing for parental love even in the face of death.
Characters to notice
- Pinocchio
Pursued by assassins, he desperately seeks shelter, is captured, stabbed with breaking knives, and finally hanged from the Big Oak, where he loses consciousness thinking of his father.
- The Fairy
Appears as a beautiful blue-haired Child at the window of the white house, claiming to be dead and refusing to open the door, then disappears.
- Geppetto
Remembered by Pinocchio in his final moments as he calls out for his father before losing consciousness.
Key passages
“In this house there is no one. They are all dead.”
The house is empty because everyone inside has died.
The Fairy's eerie response to Pinocchio's desperate knocking, refusing him shelter.
“Oh, papa! papa! if only you were here!”
Father, I wish you were with me now.
Pinocchio's final cry as he hangs from the oak, thinking of Geppetto.