Mais, oui. Where better to discuss art and culture than in a book that’s set in Paris, France? Seriously though, The Invention of Hugo Cabret touches on some serious high culture, considering it's a book meant for kids. From old school black and white film to a painting of Prometheus, the book doesn’t shy away from the idea that art can change your life for the better. It can also grip you and give you a purpose, which is what it does for Georges Méliès, Hugo, and even the automatons. Art and culture, in this novel, bring people together and help create a family. That's pretty powerful stuff.
Questions About Art and Culture
- How important is film to Hugo and Papa Georges? What is it about the movies that captivates them so much?
- Do movies hold more than a sentimental value to Hugo, who seems to associate them with his father?
- How is the book a piece of culture and art in itself?
Chew on This
Film and magic are Papa Georges' purposes in life, and without them, he is not as whole of an individual.
The book explores the idea that it’s important to expose children to different art forms early on.