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Lampwick’s sudden and unexpected transformation into a donkey (and indeed, the entire pleasure island scene) is a scene that has fascinated horrified and inspired people for decades.
He endured a life changing transformation that he never asked for or wanted. His entire life’s circumstances changed in less then a minute.
This is a story of Lampwick, a boy that resisted what many considered the values a real boy should live by. In many ways he was already the donkey he became on Pleasure Island.
What became of him after he ran out of the pool hall in a panic?
This story explores one possibility (and without him dying).
He endured a life changing transformation that he never asked for or wanted. His entire life’s circumstances changed in less then a minute.
This is a story of Lampwick, a boy that resisted what many considered the values a real boy should live by. In many ways he was already the donkey he became on Pleasure Island.
What became of him after he ran out of the pool hall in a panic?
This story explores one possibility (and without him dying).
Category Story / Transformation
Species Donkey / Mule
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 15 kB
First of all, there have been plenty of versions of Pinocchio just like there have been with other fairy tales.
This is based on the Disney version, not the original.
I've only read the original once and that was enough.
The preferential treatment Pinocchio gets in both the book and movie bothers me.
In the Disney version, the turning into a donkey part however didn't bother me as much as the way they implied the boys/donkeys would be treated afterwards.
I don't remember Lampwick being an incurable jerk in the book. He was a jerk in the movie, yes. Without something teaching him one hell of a lesson in life and humility, I can see him growing up to be an abusive jerk that people would only follow because they're afraid of him. As a kid, the damage he does might be limited, as an adult however, he could be causing and getting into some serious trouble.
In a way, he needed to turn into a donkey so someone could keep him under control and/or his more destructive urges can make way for more productive ones. E.g., maybe hard work might give him pleasure rather then smashing stuff. Maybe what he considers fun might be a lot more innocent. While it might seem like brainwashing, I don't mean instantly doing it, but over time, being a donkey could lead to that. Once you get down to it, it would be easier to control him because even though he probably would try to resist by kicking and biting etc., really, he's going to learn that such an attitude as a donkey is not going to end well. While some might argue that it's the 'peace by removing freedom' mentality at work there, Lampwick came across as the kind of kid where sadly, there may not have been much choice in the matter. Left human, he would have just gotten into more trouble and ended up who knows where.
I still however don't think he was incurable. he just needed to learn to be a better person and find positive outlets for his energy and to over time, get rid of that jerk mentality and turn it into something productive. He'll still like pleasure but he'll be a lot more enjoy responsibly about it.
I wanted to give him a chance at more then just becoming an example.
This is based on the Disney version, not the original.
I've only read the original once and that was enough.
The preferential treatment Pinocchio gets in both the book and movie bothers me.
In the Disney version, the turning into a donkey part however didn't bother me as much as the way they implied the boys/donkeys would be treated afterwards.
I don't remember Lampwick being an incurable jerk in the book. He was a jerk in the movie, yes. Without something teaching him one hell of a lesson in life and humility, I can see him growing up to be an abusive jerk that people would only follow because they're afraid of him. As a kid, the damage he does might be limited, as an adult however, he could be causing and getting into some serious trouble.
In a way, he needed to turn into a donkey so someone could keep him under control and/or his more destructive urges can make way for more productive ones. E.g., maybe hard work might give him pleasure rather then smashing stuff. Maybe what he considers fun might be a lot more innocent. While it might seem like brainwashing, I don't mean instantly doing it, but over time, being a donkey could lead to that. Once you get down to it, it would be easier to control him because even though he probably would try to resist by kicking and biting etc., really, he's going to learn that such an attitude as a donkey is not going to end well. While some might argue that it's the 'peace by removing freedom' mentality at work there, Lampwick came across as the kind of kid where sadly, there may not have been much choice in the matter. Left human, he would have just gotten into more trouble and ended up who knows where.
I still however don't think he was incurable. he just needed to learn to be a better person and find positive outlets for his energy and to over time, get rid of that jerk mentality and turn it into something productive. He'll still like pleasure but he'll be a lot more enjoy responsibly about it.
I wanted to give him a chance at more then just becoming an example.
Without something teaching him one hell of a lesson in life and humility, I can see him growing up to be an abusive jerk that people would only follow because they're afraid of him. As a kid, the damage he does might be limited, as an adult however, he could be causing and getting into some serious trouble.
I don't think you understand the metaphor. It is for the very reason you listed that he BECAME a donkey. In the movie Pinocchio did not turn into a full donkey because he took no pleasure in being destructive. However, Lampwick was very enthusiastic about having fun at the expense of others, and was therefore sentenced to be a donkey because he knew better, fate had given him enough time to correct himself, but he didn't.
I wanted to give him a chance at more then just becoming an example.
Lampwick's role in the movie is not to be made-into-an-example. Keep in mind, he is but one of many SLBs who transforms into a donkey which is a consequence of his own actions. His role is, however, to show an example of what personality traits and willfully destructive actions make up a jackass so that the audience knows why the SLBs are turning into jackasses.
I don't think you understand the metaphor. It is for the very reason you listed that he BECAME a donkey. In the movie Pinocchio did not turn into a full donkey because he took no pleasure in being destructive. However, Lampwick was very enthusiastic about having fun at the expense of others, and was therefore sentenced to be a donkey because he knew better, fate had given him enough time to correct himself, but he didn't.
I wanted to give him a chance at more then just becoming an example.
Lampwick's role in the movie is not to be made-into-an-example. Keep in mind, he is but one of many SLBs who transforms into a donkey which is a consequence of his own actions. His role is, however, to show an example of what personality traits and willfully destructive actions make up a jackass so that the audience knows why the SLBs are turning into jackasses.
I don't think you understand the metaphor. It is for the very reason you listed that he BECAME a donkey. In the movie Pinocchio did not turn into a full donkey because he took no pleasure in being destructive. However, Lampwick was very enthusiastic about having fun at the expense of others, and was therefore sentenced to be a donkey because he knew better, fate had given him enough time to correct himself, but he didn't.
How do you know that he knew better? Bear in mind that Lampwick was just a boy. Granted, he was an adolescent but that is an age in which a lot of people make mistakes. He'd chosen a bad path in life because like many his age, he thought he knew everything about life. He thought that people with attitudes like Jiminy were the jackasses, not himself. Turning into a donkey and being helpless to stop it and the consequences of such a transformation showed him how wrong he was.
You are also forgetting that the island encouraged the boys to behave as they did.
We also don't know what each specific boy did. Maybe the reason boys like Alexander could still talk was because they didn't act like complete jackasses.
People make mistakes. Those boys made a huge mistake in coming to the island and thinking they could act as they could without consequence. That however does not mean that they always act and/or think like that. It certainly doesn't mean they deserved to permanently lose their human forms and to end up being abused and worked to death as donkeys.
If anything, the story can be a lesson to parents about the importance of discipline and making sure your kids know the difference between right and wrong. If you don't show them that difference and let them run wild like the island did for those boys--well, we saw what will happen to them, even if only metaphorically.
How do you know that he knew better?
His age. Lampwick was older than pinocchio both in actual age, but more importantly in worldly experience. He chose a bad path in life because he was counting on others to be much nicer than himself. His reaction of calling for his mamma as he was becoming a donkey showed that he was not prepared for bad things to happen to himself.
You are also forgetting that the island encouraged the boys to behave as they did.
In the world of Pinocchio, any boy who acted out stupidly and destructively long enough no matter where he was or what he was doing, would become a donkey. The coachman created the island so that he would have a place to lure SLBs and give them enough bad things to do so that nature would take it's course. Remember the line, "Give a bad boy enough rope, and he'll soon make a jackass of himself."
Maybe the reason boys like Alexander could still talk was because they didn't act like complete jackasses.
Alexander and the other talking donkeys were much younger than those who would become speechless. You can tell primarily by the pitch of his voice, but also at the time the movie was made, sailor suits were common for boys under eight. The reason behind this is that children that young don't understand how to make choices between good and bad, they do what those around them do, but their choices still reflect upon them.
If anything, the story can be a lesson to parents about the importance of discipline
Wrong. It is a lesson to children about self-discipline - "don't act like a jackass or you will become one".
His age. Lampwick was older than pinocchio both in actual age, but more importantly in worldly experience. He chose a bad path in life because he was counting on others to be much nicer than himself. His reaction of calling for his mamma as he was becoming a donkey showed that he was not prepared for bad things to happen to himself.
You are also forgetting that the island encouraged the boys to behave as they did.
In the world of Pinocchio, any boy who acted out stupidly and destructively long enough no matter where he was or what he was doing, would become a donkey. The coachman created the island so that he would have a place to lure SLBs and give them enough bad things to do so that nature would take it's course. Remember the line, "Give a bad boy enough rope, and he'll soon make a jackass of himself."
Maybe the reason boys like Alexander could still talk was because they didn't act like complete jackasses.
Alexander and the other talking donkeys were much younger than those who would become speechless. You can tell primarily by the pitch of his voice, but also at the time the movie was made, sailor suits were common for boys under eight. The reason behind this is that children that young don't understand how to make choices between good and bad, they do what those around them do, but their choices still reflect upon them.
If anything, the story can be a lesson to parents about the importance of discipline
Wrong. It is a lesson to children about self-discipline - "don't act like a jackass or you will become one".
His age. Lampwick was older than pinocchio both in actual age, but more importantly in worldly experience. He chose a bad path in life because he was counting on others to be much nicer than himself. His reaction of calling for his mamma as he was becoming a donkey showed that he was not prepared for bad things to happen to himself.
And who is? Most people freak out when they end up facing consequences for their actions. Very few will shrug their shoulders and decide that they brought it upon themselves. Losing your humanity and becoming a slave is not a justifiable consequence for Lampwick's actions. And the Coachman is not in the right to use his magic (or whatever) to pass judgement on them.
In the world of Pinocchio, any boy who acted out stupidly and destructively long enough no matter where he was or what he was doing, would become a donkey. The coachman created the island so that he would have a place to lure SLBs and give them enough bad things to do so that nature would take it's course. Remember the line, "Give a bad boy enough rope, and he'll soon make a jackass of himself."
Prove to me that he wasn't speaking metaphorically. Show me examples of boys turning into donkeys away from the island in that story universe.
Alexander and the other talking donkeys were much younger than those who would become speechless. You can tell primarily by the pitch of his voice, but also at the time the movie was made, sailor suits were common for boys under eight. The reason behind this is that children that young don't understand how to make choices between good and bad, they do what those around them do, but their choices still reflect upon them.
That is one interpretation of the story. And there are many older kids and even adults that do the same thing, hence the crowd mentality that tends to befall people in protests and riots. It's not an excuse but it does happen. There have been countless examples that show it.
How many people have done stupid things they otherwise would not have not because someone else encouraged them to do it? Especially if it was someone they trusted and/or were afraid of saying no to.
Alexander probably did some bad things because some older boys encouraged him. The types that would do those things on their own, whereas Alexander probably would not have.
The ones that scream at people that have been in group situations and done stupid things during them tend to be the judgmental types that view themselves as perfect little angels that have never had so much as a negative thought. In reality, most of those types are anything but and tend to remember everything to make themselves the good guy and everyone else the bad guy.
What those boys did WAS wrong and it WAS stupid. However, all of them (including Lampwick) were young and still learning. They did not deserve what happened to them.
Wrong. It is a lesson to children about self-discipline - "don't act like a jackass or you will become one".
No, it is NOT wrong, it is another way to interpret the story. And it IS an important lesson for parents about teaching kids discipline.
And who is? Most people freak out when they end up facing consequences for their actions. Very few will shrug their shoulders and decide that they brought it upon themselves. Losing your humanity and becoming a slave is not a justifiable consequence for Lampwick's actions. And the Coachman is not in the right to use his magic (or whatever) to pass judgement on them.
In the world of Pinocchio, any boy who acted out stupidly and destructively long enough no matter where he was or what he was doing, would become a donkey. The coachman created the island so that he would have a place to lure SLBs and give them enough bad things to do so that nature would take it's course. Remember the line, "Give a bad boy enough rope, and he'll soon make a jackass of himself."
Prove to me that he wasn't speaking metaphorically. Show me examples of boys turning into donkeys away from the island in that story universe.
Alexander and the other talking donkeys were much younger than those who would become speechless. You can tell primarily by the pitch of his voice, but also at the time the movie was made, sailor suits were common for boys under eight. The reason behind this is that children that young don't understand how to make choices between good and bad, they do what those around them do, but their choices still reflect upon them.
That is one interpretation of the story. And there are many older kids and even adults that do the same thing, hence the crowd mentality that tends to befall people in protests and riots. It's not an excuse but it does happen. There have been countless examples that show it.
How many people have done stupid things they otherwise would not have not because someone else encouraged them to do it? Especially if it was someone they trusted and/or were afraid of saying no to.
Alexander probably did some bad things because some older boys encouraged him. The types that would do those things on their own, whereas Alexander probably would not have.
The ones that scream at people that have been in group situations and done stupid things during them tend to be the judgmental types that view themselves as perfect little angels that have never had so much as a negative thought. In reality, most of those types are anything but and tend to remember everything to make themselves the good guy and everyone else the bad guy.
What those boys did WAS wrong and it WAS stupid. However, all of them (including Lampwick) were young and still learning. They did not deserve what happened to them.
Wrong. It is a lesson to children about self-discipline - "don't act like a jackass or you will become one".
No, it is NOT wrong, it is another way to interpret the story. And it IS an important lesson for parents about teaching kids discipline.
PeachClover, what is it with you?
It seems that you are trying to force this writer to stop writing stories he enjoys, that you are trying to force your own viewpoints regarding a story that is always open to interpretation onto everyone else.
I'm not saying that you are not entitled to your views toward the fate of the Pleasure Island boys. However, you seem rather hostile toward RustyRaccoon and his expansion of a story that, in my opinion, has been woefully underexplored.
I've been a fan of Rusty's work for some time, for I find him an insightful writer with a compassionate streak that works well with the intentions of other good characters in the story. Furthermore, he also inspired me to work on a similar project, and I take my hat off to him.
But your comments indicate a rigid close-minded thought process, and even back in the time that Pinocchio took place, there were many such instances of such rigidity not being for the good. Had Jiminy Cricket thought such as you seem to think, then Pinocchio would've ended up as Stromboli's slave until he was burned for firewood.
Nearly every religion on Earth professes forgiveness and to give a second chance. I don't claim Rusty's story is so motivated. I do think those donkey boys deserved a 2nd chance, after having had time to learn their lessons. Your comments indicate to me that you don't believe so. If that is the case, I pity you.
It seems that you are trying to force this writer to stop writing stories he enjoys, that you are trying to force your own viewpoints regarding a story that is always open to interpretation onto everyone else.
I'm not saying that you are not entitled to your views toward the fate of the Pleasure Island boys. However, you seem rather hostile toward RustyRaccoon and his expansion of a story that, in my opinion, has been woefully underexplored.
I've been a fan of Rusty's work for some time, for I find him an insightful writer with a compassionate streak that works well with the intentions of other good characters in the story. Furthermore, he also inspired me to work on a similar project, and I take my hat off to him.
But your comments indicate a rigid close-minded thought process, and even back in the time that Pinocchio took place, there were many such instances of such rigidity not being for the good. Had Jiminy Cricket thought such as you seem to think, then Pinocchio would've ended up as Stromboli's slave until he was burned for firewood.
Nearly every religion on Earth professes forgiveness and to give a second chance. I don't claim Rusty's story is so motivated. I do think those donkey boys deserved a 2nd chance, after having had time to learn their lessons. Your comments indicate to me that you don't believe so. If that is the case, I pity you.
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