# Geppetto — The Adventures of Pinocchio character guide

> Geppetto in The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** poor Geppetto, neighbor Geppetto

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-geppetto-names-his-puppet-pinocchio

## Snapshot

A poor woodcarver who builds a puppet to fill his lonely house, then gives up his own coat to buy the boy a spelling-book.

## Who they are

Geppetto is the town's gruff but tender old craftsman, mocked for wanting a son made of wood and yet unable to stop loving the troublesome creature he carved. His poverty is real and specific: he sells his only coat in the snow so Pinocchio can go to school, then hides the sacrifice behind a joke about the weather. That quiet generosity sets the moral stakes of the whole story, because every time Pinocchio strays, he is straying from someone who has already given him everything.

## In the story

### [II: Master Cherry Gives the Wood Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/ii-master-cherry-gives-the-wood-away)

Visits Master Cherry to ask for wood to make a puppet; fights over being called 'Pudding' and leaves limping with the wood.

### [III: Geppetto Names His Puppet Pinocchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/iii-geppetto-names-his-puppet-pinocchio)

Creates Pinocchio, names him, and struggles with his rebellious behavior; is ultimately led to prison by the soldier.

### [IV: The Talking Cricket Scolds Pinocchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/iv-the-talking-cricket-scolds-pinocchio)

Mentioned as being taken to prison, setting the scene for Pinocchio's return.

### [The Flying Egg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/v-the-flying-egg)

Mentioned by Pinocchio with regret as 'my papa' whom he disobeyed.

### [VI: Pinocchio’s Feet Burn to Cinders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/vi-pinocchio-s-feet-burn-to-cinders)

Geppetto is heard knocking at the door at daybreak, calling out to Pinocchio.

### [VII: Geppetto Gives His Own Breakfast to Pinocchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/vii-geppetto-gives-his-own-breakfast-to-pinocchio)

Climbs in through the window, scolds Pinocchio but then comforts him, gives him his own breakfast of three pears, and teaches him about not being too dainty.

### [Geppetto Makes Pinocchio New Feet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/viii-geppetto-makes-pinocchio-new-feet)

Punishes Pinocchio by delaying, then makes him new feet with glue. He sells his own coat to buy a spelling book for Pinocchio, showing deep parental sacrifice.

### [IX: Pinocchio Goes to See a Puppet Show](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/ix-pinocchio-goes-to-see-a-puppet-show)

Mentioned as having sold his coat to buy the spelling book, now left cold and shirtless.

### [X: The Puppets Recognize Their Brother Pinocchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/x-the-puppets-recognize-their-brother-pinocchio)

Called upon by Pinocchio in desperation as he cries for his father to save him.

### [XII: Pinocchio Receives a Present of Five Gold Pieces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xii-pinocchio-receives-a-present-of-five-gold-pieces)

Mentioned as Pinocchio's father, a beggar who sold his coat for a spelling-book; Pinocchio intends to buy him a new coat.

### [XV: The Assassins Hang Pinocchio to the Big Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xv-the-assassins-hang-pinocchio-to-the-big-oak)

Remembered by Pinocchio in his final moments as he calls out for his father before losing consciousness.

### [XXIII: Pinocchio Flies to the Seashore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xxiii-pinocchio-flies-to-the-seashore)

Reported by the Pigeon to be building a boat to cross the ocean; later seen in the boat during a storm.

### [Pinocchio Finds the Fairy Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xxiv-pinocchio-finds-the-fairy-again)

Mentioned as missing; his boat may have sunk and he may have been swallowed by the Dogfish.

### [XXXV: A Happy Surprise for Pinocchio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xxxv-a-happy-surprise-for-pinocchio)

Has been living inside the Dogfish for nearly two years on supplies from a sunken ship; reunites with Pinocchio and is carried to safety.

### [XXXVI: Pinocchio at Last Ceases to Be a Puppet and Becomes a Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/chapters/xxxvi-pinocchio-at-last-ceases-to-be-a-puppet-and-becomes-a-boy)

Rescued from the sea by Pinocchio and the Tunny; regains health and returns to woodcarving after Pinocchio's devotion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/characters/geppetto
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_pinocchio_se/characters