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Georges Méliès
Isabelle is the goddaughter of Georges and Jeanne Méliès. Her parents used to be friends with the Mélièses, and her father even worked on one of Georges’ movies before both of them tragically died in a car accident. Isabelle was only a baby at the time and does not have any memory of her parents. Because of her unusual upbringing, Isabelle in a spirited and independent child, who befriends Hugo after discovering Georges took his notebook. Isabelle promises to help Hugo get his notebook back, partially because she likes Hugo and partially because she is curious about what is inside of it. Isabelle is exceedingly clever and manages to find out more about Hugo—including the truth of the automaton and where he lives—well before anyone else. She is also emotionally mature for her age and is willing to open up to Hugo about her past and her feelings. Isabelle’s behavior enables Hugo to open up as well, allowing him to mature and move past the tragedy of his father’s death. Although she is a well-meaning child, like Hugo, Isabelle tends to misbehave, often out of curiosity. She taught herself how to pick locks with a bobby pin and often utilizes that skill to get into things and places adults do not want her to see. In fact, Isabelle’s ability with the bobby pin is what allows her and Hugo to discover Georges’ filmmaking career.
Isabelle Quotes in The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The The Invention of Hugo Cabret quotes below are all either spoken by Isabelle or refer to Isabelle. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 1, Chapter 12: The Message
Quotes
Suddenly, Hugo felt stupid for thinking he could fix it and especially for imagining there would be a letter from his father waiting for him.
All his work had been for nothing.
Hugo felt broken himself.
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Part 2, Chapter 5: Papa Georges Made Movies
Quotes
He related the whole story, from his father’s discovery of the automaton up in the attic of the museum, to the fire, to the arrival and disappearance of his uncle. He told her about discovering the toys in her godfather’s booth and how he used them to fix the automaton. He told her everything.
When Hugo finished, Isabelle was quiet for a few moments, then she said, “Thank you.”
Part 2, Chapter 6: Purpose
Quotes
“Maybe it’s the same with people,” Hugo continued. “If you lose your purpose . . . it’s like you’re broken.
“Like Papa Georges?”
“Maybe . . . maybe we can fix him.”
“Before you go home, come with me,” Hugo said, and he helped Isabelle through the nearest air vent into the walls. Between Hugo’s injured hand and Isabelle’s sprained foot, it was extremely difficult for them to get up the staircases and the ladder, but they helped each other and at least they came to the glass clocks that overlooked the city.
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“I like to imagine that the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and type of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too.”
Part 2, Chapter 10: A Train Arrives in the Station
Quotes
When Hugo opened his eyes, all he could see where stars. Stars and moons and what looked like a rocket ship. It was the cape from A Trip to the Moon, and Georges Méliès was wearing it.
Get the entire The Invention of Hugo Cabret LitChart as a printable PDF.
Isabelle Quotes in The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The The Invention of Hugo Cabret quotes below are all either spoken by Isabelle or refer to Isabelle. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 1, Chapter 12: The Message
Quotes
Suddenly, Hugo felt stupid for thinking he could fix it and especially for imagining there would be a letter from his father waiting for him.
All his work had been for nothing.
Hugo felt broken himself.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2, Chapter 5: Papa Georges Made Movies
Quotes
He related the whole story, from his father’s discovery of the automaton up in the attic of the museum, to the fire, to the arrival and disappearance of his uncle. He told her about discovering the toys in her godfather’s booth and how he used them to fix the automaton. He told her everything.
When Hugo finished, Isabelle was quiet for a few moments, then she said, “Thank you.”
Part 2, Chapter 6: Purpose
Quotes
“Maybe it’s the same with people,” Hugo continued. “If you lose your purpose . . . it’s like you’re broken.
“Like Papa Georges?”
“Maybe . . . maybe we can fix him.”
“Before you go home, come with me,” Hugo said, and he helped Isabelle through the nearest air vent into the walls. Between Hugo’s injured hand and Isabelle’s sprained foot, it was extremely difficult for them to get up the staircases and the ladder, but they helped each other and at least they came to the glass clocks that overlooked the city.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
“I like to imagine that the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and type of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too.”
Part 2, Chapter 10: A Train Arrives in the Station
Quotes
When Hugo opened his eyes, all he could see where stars. Stars and moons and what looked like a rocket ship. It was the cape from A Trip to the Moon, and Georges Méliès was wearing it.
