Pleasure is only Temporary
In the Walt Disney classic Pinocchio, temptation and obedience torment a young puppet as he learns what it means to be a real boy. His innocence betrays him and he is quickly taken advantage of by others seeking an easy gain of money. As the film progresses, Pinocchio encounters many new obstacles that advertise quick happiness and hide long-term consequences, suggesting the theme that immediate pleasures are but temporary. This theme is achieved in the linear narrative through the symbolic representations of both protagonist and antagonist, the important crisis point that reveals Pinocchio’s real character, and how the hero’s journey portrays the theme of temporal pleasure.
Life is granted Pinocchio because of his master’s wish and Pinocchio is introduced to society with no knowledge about how it works. As a comic children’s toy, he embodies innocence and symbolizes it throughout the film as he learns and grows. Because of this, Pinocchio’s naivety is frequently put to the test and he almost always chooses the more pleasurable option in the given moment. His conscious is represented by Jiminy Cricket who tells him that these options are called temptation and for Pinocchio to wisely consider each one. Soon enough, Pinocchio learns first handedly the truth behind these words in instances such as being locked up in the circus van and becoming trapped on Pleasure Island.
The film’s antagonist is represented more as an abstraction than a character. Multiple characters are introduced to convey the idea that instant gratification is the enemy to much wisdom and patience, shown through the manager of Pleasure Island and the circus owner. This idea of instant gratification is symbolized by these antagonists and constricts Pinocchio. As he learns about life and the temptations in it, he ironically disobeys the fairy’s orders to be good and obedient to earn status as a real boy.
Pinocchio reaches a turning point in the film when he faces his crisis of becoming a donkey due to foolish decisions as opposed to a real boy through obedience. It is here that he realizes what will bring him lasting happiness and as he seeks out to rescue his father and friends, his true character reaches the surface of a selfless and innocent boy. His ideas and sacrifice save them from the whale and by being noble and heroic despite affliction, the fairy opens Pinocchio’s eyes to see the selflessness and love that was in him all along. By overcoming his crisis point, Pinocchio learns to overcome temptation and gains perspective between temporal pleasure and lasting joy.
Despite what his conscious tells him, Pinocchio begins to explore the unknown early in the film. As he leaves the safety of home and quickly ventures to the circus, he crosses the threshold of the hero’s journey and rapidly approaches the inevitable abyss. The theme is highlighted in this instance because the audience alongside Pinocchio suspects the outcome to be pleasurable and fun without thinking too hard on the aftermath of his decision to skip school. Soon enough, Pinocchio finds himself locked up and realizes that the fame and pleasure he had is fleeting and his foolishness is making him pay the consequences. Although he learns this lesson, he falls victim yet again to easy happiness when embarking to Pleasure Island, asserting that temporal pleasure can take various forms and appearances. By coming to his senses and saving his master and friends, Pinocchio returns to the known and becomes a real boy with experience and knowledge to help him make better decisions in the future.
Pinocchio is a classic animated film with a strong theme of reminding viewers that pleasure is of temporary substance. Through characteristics unique to a linear narrative, this film teaches that theme and entertains the viewer in a memorable and light-hearted way. Like Pinocchio, the audience learns that instant gratification tends to offer more risk than reward and should always be determined wisely.
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