Puppets on a String

Puppets of the species to which Pinocchio belongs—marionettes—are made to imitate the human form, but they also have strings from which they are suspended and which allow the human puppeteer to guide and control the puppet’s movements. Collodi never gives any incontrovertible indication that there are strings attached to Pinocchio’s torso, head and limbs, but we do know that he belonged to this family of puppets. It can be inferred from Old Joe’s (Geppetto’s) early announcement that he has decided to make himself ‘a fine wooden puppet’ that will be able ‘to dance and fence and do somersaults’. ¹ The ability to do somersaults (‘fare salti mortali’) is not something that comes naturally to other types of puppet. Moreover, Pinocchio is recognized as next-of-kin by the performers in the puppet-theatre: ‘Come and embrace your wooden brothers and sisters!’ shouts Harlequin. ² As Arlecchino, Pulcinella and company belong to the ancient lineage of the Commedia dell’Arte, we know what they looked like and how they were operated. ³ Although they run riot with apparent freedom for the benefit of Pinocchio, the total power over them of the puppeteer, Swallowfire (Mangiafuoco), and their utter subservience to him are illustrated repeatedly, and it is in this context that Collodi comes closest to mentioning that there are indeed strings attached: the semi-ogre wants to use Pinocchio as firewood for spit-roasting purposes and tells the others to bring him into the kitchen: ‘you’ll find him hanging on the hook’, he commands. ⁴ This is obviously a reflection of the way in which marionettes are stored, hung up by their strings, while also being an illustration of power and powerlessness: this puppet, like any normal child, is dependent on his elders. Thereafter Pinocchio will run wild, not to mention swim, climb trees and perform other activities incompatible with strings, but essential to the nature and meaning of his role. He is an inanimate artefact which rebels against its natural state and against its creator in a passionate search for freedom, identity and life.