Jiminy Cricket

**Jiminy Cricket** is the deuteragonist of the 1940 Disney animated feature film, *Pinocchio*. He is a wisecracking, anthropomorphic cricket that is depicted donning a top hat and tailcoat, with an umbrella always on his person. Jiminy was appointed Pinocchio's official conscience by the Blue Fairy, in hopes that Jiminy can guide Pinocchio on his journey to become a real boy.

Notable for being the original performer of "When You Wish Upon a Star" (which would become the trademark anthem for The Walt Disney Company), Jiminy has appeared alongside Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell as a company mascot throughout the years.

## Appearance

Jiminy is an anthropomorphic cricket with black eyes. In his initial appearance before the Blue Fairy casts a spell from her wand into his primary outfit, he wore a green coat with patches in each sleeve, underneath is a light olive sweater shirt with a white long sleeve button shirt with a long red scarf which shows the extended collar of his button shirt, light green capris with patches at the back and tattered brown shoes with yellow spats. He wears a gray long tattered hat on his head and carries a small purple umbrella while wearing his tattered white gloves.

On his main appearance from the beginning until the end of the film, Jiminy wears a much more formal attire after being cast upon by the Blue Fairy as Pinocchio's conscience; a black formal coat with an orange vest with a single button on the front, a white short sleeve button shirt underneath and a yellow tie on the collar, pale tan pants and blue shoes with yellow spats. His formal hat is now light blue with orange linings and carries a red umbrella while wearing his white gloves.

## Personality

As an official conscience, Jiminy is famously known as a level-headed and wise figure, capable of leading Pinocchio down a righteous path. At the start, and throughout most of the 1940 animated film, however, this is not exactly the case. Instead, Jiminy is introduced as a wisecracking, feisty, yet generally humble, realist who believed very little in magic and "wishing upon stars". When introduced, he admits that his past-self initially had little faith in the idea of dreams coming true; upon hearing Geppetto's dream to someday have Pinocchio become a real boy, Jiminy comments, "A very lovely thought, but not at all practical." It is also hinted that Jiminy once saw the world as a troubled place, at one point exclaiming that "a conscience is that still, small voice that people won't listen to. That's the trouble with the world, today..."

In contrast to this, he is also fairly quirky and fun-loving, as he engages in conversation with inanimate objects when wanting to chat (such as Geppetto's porcelain figures), and even goes as far as to comedically flirt with the figurines designed with a feminine mold. He also has class, despite his hermit background, and tries to carry himself with a sense of style and flair.

As mentioned, Jiminy was not always as sage and devoted as he is portrayed today. He was appointed Pinocchio's conscience due to being too flustered by the Blue Fairy's beauty to refuse the offer, thus lacking any real skill in serving as a guide or caretaker. He made a legitimate effort to act as cicerone to Pinocchio, but was somewhat high-strung due to pressure, and became easily frustrated with Pinocchio's innocently uncooperative nature; so much so, that he outright abandoned the puppet out of fury on two occasions. He was also doubtful in his own worth; after Pinocchio becomes a successful actor, despite Jiminy's disapproval, Jiminy felt inadequate and left Pinocchio with the belief that an actor would want nothing to do with a conscience.

However, Jiminy's loving heart gave him the strength to eventually grow and develop, not withstanding his shortcomings (very much in tandem with Pinocchio, himself). Towards the end of the film, after facing and escaping peril prior, Jiminy came to view Pinocchio as his best friend and genuinely wanted him to achieve his goal of becoming a real boy. After previously leaving Pinocchio on his own sanction, Jiminy was offered the chance to avoid any further danger during the climax. His strengthened loyalty and care towards Pinocchio, however, motivated him to finally remain by the puppet's side through the harshest endeavors, and against their greatest adversary yet.

Much like Pinocchio, Jiminy is amply rewarded for his growth and self-discovery throughout the former's journey, by becoming an official conscience (recognized by a solid gold badge, as requested). His portrayal in subsequent animated appearances shows that Jiminy has since continued to grow with age and experience, typically presenting himself with a mild-mannered, soft-spoken aura.