Pinocchio Goes Postmodern: Perils of a Puppet in the United States

by Richard Wunderlich, Thomas J. Morrissey

Overview

In the first full-length study in English of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio, the authors show how the checkered history of the puppet illuminates social change from the pre World War One era to the present. The authors argue that most Americans know a trivialized, diluted version of the tale, one such source is Disney's perennial classic. The authors also discover that when adults are introduced to the 'real'story, they often deem it as unsuitable for children. Placing the puppet in a variety of contexts, the authors chart the progression of this childhood tale that has frequently undergone dramatic revisions to suit America's idea of children's literature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815338963
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/15/2002
Series:	Children's Literature and Culture , #20
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Richard Wunderlich, Thomas J. Morrissey

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Pinocchio's World and the Search for the Just Community 2. How Pinocchio Came to America Poor and Friendless, Was Beset by Rogues and Villains, Yet Persevered Steadfastly, and by Luck and Pluck Made a Name for Himself: 1892-1919 3. Pinocchio's Good Fortune Proceeds Apace, and His Adventures Are Known and Celebrated Throughout All the Land: 1920-1929 4. At the Height of Pinocchio's Renown, Change Intrudes, Pretenders Emerge, and Impostors Seize His Identity: 1930-1940 5. The Ascension of False Princes: How Pinocchio Is Besieged, Embattled, Displaced, and Cast Down, Remembered in Exile by Only a Few, 1940-2000 6. Pinocchio Perverted, Pinocchio Preserved: Four Early Continuations of the Puppet's Tale 7. Pinocchio Goes Postmodern - and Adult 8. W(h)ither Pinocchio? Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

"Pinocchio Goes Postmodern succeeds as an analysis of children's literature and culture, offering an enlightening discussion of how Pinocchio's tale has been diluted and distorted since its arrival in America. Illustrated with pictures from some of the many versions of Pinocchio's adventures, this book should be read by anyone who wants to know where Pinocchio has gone and may be going." —Phillip Nel, Kansas State University, Children's Literature

From the Publisher