Pinocchio Theme of Manipulation

It shouldn't be surprising that Pinocchio is easily manipulated—the kid is like sixteen hours old.

Thinking about it that way actually explains a lot. After all, how else would he be so easily conned by Honest John? How else would he fall for the Great Stromboli's bamboozlement? How else would he think that anything good would come from following a creepy coachman to a place called Pleasure Island?

Thanks to the help of his cricket friend Jiminy and the love of his father Geppetto, however, Pinocchio manages to get himself back on the right path—though he remains as oblivious as ever.

1. Why is Pinocchio so easily manipulated by Honest John? What does this say about his character?
2. What does the Great Stromboli say about show business? Why might the filmmakers be saying this?
3. How does the Coachman differ from the film's other villains?
4. Did the Blue Fairy's lessons stick? Will it be harder to manipulate Pinocchio now?

Through his actions at the end of the movie, Pinocchio shows us that he won't be so easily fooled anymore.

Though Pinocchio proves himself brave and unselfish at the end of the film, that doesn't mean he is going to be any less naive.