# XXVII: Pinocchio Is Arrested by the Gendarmes explained — The Adventures of Pinocchio

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

## What happens

Pinocchio discovers his companions tricked him about the Dogfish to make him skip school. A fight breaks out when he refuses to abandon his studies, and during the brawl a heavy arithmetic book accidentally strikes a boy named Eugene, who collapses. The other boys flee, but Pinocchio stays to help. Soldiers arrive, arrest Pinocchio despite his protests of innocence, and march him toward the village. He escapes by retrieving his cap and running toward the seashore, chased by a mastiff.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education and Labor

Pinocchio's commitment to school is contrasted with his companions' disdain for learning, leading to violence and tragedy.

### Consequences of Bad Companions

Pinocchio is tricked into skipping school and later caught in a fight that results in injury and arrest, directly due to his peers' influence.

### Deception and Gullibility

Pinocchio is deceived by his companions' false story about the Dogfish, which leads him to miss school and into trouble.

## Character check-ins

### Pinocchio

Defends himself in a fight after refusing to skip school, accidentally injures Eugene, is arrested, and escapes from the soldiers.

### Eugene

A schoolfellow struck by the arithmetic book; he falls unconscious on the sand.

### The Fairy

Mentioned by Pinocchio as his 'good mamma'; he dreads passing under her windows while under arrest.

## Key lines

> Are you not ashamed of being always so punctual and so diligent with your lessons? Are you not ashamed of studying so hard?

The boys mock Pinocchio for his dedication to school, implying that studying is shameful.

_Highlights the peer pressure against education that drives the conflict._

> Oh! how much better it would have been, a thousand times better, if I had only gone to school! Why did I listen to my companions? they have been my ruin.

Pinocchio bitterly regrets skipping school and blames his companions for his misfortune.

_Reflects the theme of consequences of bad companions and the value of education._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xxvii-pinocchio-is-arrested-by-the-gendarmes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters