Alice and Pinocchio: National Stereotypes and International Classic Fantasy

Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, and Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio are among the most famous, most translated books in the world: they are national and international classics. Despite the fact that Pinocchio is widely regarded as tereotypically Italian and Alice as stereotypically British, they have transcended their national origins. The books share generic elements and tropes of international fantasy traditions modulated by their creative moments the Italian Risorgimento and the British high-Victorian period. In their globalization (or glocalization) through translations, adaptations, and Disneyfication, the national characteristics of these books have either been lost, or have been developed into caricatures and stereotypes (Pinocchio, like the Italians, is wild, emotional, and unreliable; Alice, like the English is calm, unemotional and self-assured). This article discusses the ways in which the national stereotypes and national characteristics (inherent or perceived) in these books are absorbed into, or conflict with, international concepts of fantasy.