This month, I have delved into the origin of children’s fantasy story, The Adventures of Pinocchio. The original story itself is very dark and includes hanging Pinocchio by his neck until he dies. The movies have removed some of the darker aspects. Thanks for hosting, Kaye Lynne Booth.
The Adventures of Pinocchio is a children’s fantasy novel by Italian author, Carlo Collodi.
The story was originally published as a serial called The Story of a Puppet in the Giornale per I bambini, one of the earliest Italian weekly magazines for children starting from 7 July 1881. Originally, the story stopped after 8 episodes (published over 4 months) at Chapter 15. Due to popular demand, the episodes were resumed on 16 February 1882 and the following year, the story was published as a single book.
The storyline
In Tuscany, Italy, a carpenter named Master Antonio finds a block of wood which he immediately plans to carve into a table let. The log cries out when he cuts it. Master Antonio falls to the floor as a result of shock and just at that moment his extremely poor neighbour, Geppetto, knocks on the door. The piece of wood instigates an…
View original post 2,148 more words
roberta-writes.com 
The theme of working hard in school is a strong one, especially regarding the donkey transformation. That always scared me, even more so because the other children were never shown as getting a chance of redemption.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Andrew, the donkey scenes in the film are the ones that impacted me the most too. Turning into a donkey was a frightening idea. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLike
Thanks, Robbie. I didn’t know about the differences with the original story, but it was very much of its time. A great post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Olga, I’m pleased you enjoyed this post. I agree that life was much harder back then and the stories reflected that.
LikeLike
That was one of your best, Robbie! Excellent post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae. I am delighted you enjoyed this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such darkness in these children’s stories. No wonder they grew up fearful of the dark, but the human spirit requires darkness to shine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Wayne, modern children in Western societies are completely sheltered from darkness and that isn’t good either because they don’t recognise the signs of bad things happening/coming. It is quite interesting though, isn’t it?
LikeLike
I know a lot of the old children’s fables are darker than cartoon versions. Thank you for sharing, Robbie ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Syl, I’m glad you enjoyed this post. The original is very dark, but so was life back then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed it a lot. I can only imagine life back then.
LikeLike
Whoa, the original storyline didn’t exactly sound like a children’s tale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI GP, most of the original fairy tales are like this. Incredibly dark. I suppose its because life was so much harder back then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I often wondered about that. Even the lullaby, Rock abye Baby, having a baby fall out of a tree?
LikeLike
When we visited Luca we heard a version of this story-definitely not Disney!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jan, Disney does manage to sugarcoat everything which has pros and cons. I personally think modern kids are to sheltered and protected from the realities of life and then they can’t cope when things go wrong. Although hanging by the neck is a bit over the top.
LikeLike
Great, informative post, Robbie! That sure isn’t the Disney version!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Tim, no, Disney took out the worst of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love back stories and you gave a most excellent review of the origins. Thank you, Robbie.
LikeLike
Hi Rebecca, I am delighted you enjoy these posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sure didn’t know this was so dark, but it probably fit the times, don’t you think?
LikeLike
Hi Jacqui, it would have been a lot more appropriate at the time. I never stopped Greg reading this book and my mom never stopped me. I don’t think Mom knew but still, I read it.
LikeLiked by 1 person