# XVII: Pinocchio Will Not Take His Medicine explained — The Adventures of Pinocchio

> Chapter companion for The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi.

## What happens

Pinocchio, suffering from a fever, refuses to take bitter medicine despite the Fairy's gentle persuasion. After a series of excuses and demands for sugar, he finally drinks it when four black rabbits arrive with a bier, warning him of imminent death. Cured, he recounts his misadventures with the Fox and Cat, but lies about losing his gold coins, causing his nose to grow uncontrollably as the Fairy exposes his deceit.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Gullibility

Pinocchio lies about losing the gold coins, and his nose grows as a visible consequence, highlighting the theme of deceit.

### Obedience and Rebellion

Pinocchio rebels against taking medicine despite the Fairy's authority, only complying when faced with death.

### Transformation and Identity

Pinocchio's nose physically transforms with each lie, symbolizing his moral state and the struggle between truth and falsehood.

## Character check-ins

### Pinocchio

Refuses bitter medicine, lies about losing gold coins, and his nose grows as punishment.

### The Fairy

Patiently tries to administer medicine, exposes Pinocchio's lies, and laughs at his growing nose.

### The Fox

Mentioned as having tricked Pinocchio with the Cat at the Inn of the Red Crawfish.

### The Cat

Mentioned as having tricked Pinocchio with the Fox; Pinocchio bites off its paw during the robbery.

### Fire Eater

Mentioned as having given Pinocchio gold pieces before his misadventure.

## Key lines

> Drink it and in a few days you will be cured.

Take this medicine and you'll recover soon.

_The Fairy urges Pinocchio to drink the bitter remedy for his fever._

> I would rather die than drink that bitter medicine.

I'd prefer death over swallowing that awful stuff.

_Pinocchio's stubborn refusal of the medicine, showing his rebellion._

> Lies, my dear boy, are found out immediately, because they are of two sorts. There are lies that have short legs, and lies that have long noses.

Lies are easily detected; some are short-lived, while others are obvious and grow like a long nose.

_The Fairy explains the consequences of lying, directly linking to Pinocchio's growing nose._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xvii-pinocchio-will-not-take-his-medicine
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