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Part 2, Chapter 4: The Invention of Dreams
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Magic, Cinema, and Imagination
Friendship, Honesty, and Vulnerability
Meaning and Purpose
Hardship and Maturity
Summary
Analysis
Hugo returns to his room in the train station with the book from the Film Academy’s library. He reads the book repeatedly, especially the parts about Georges. While he is looking at the book, Isabelle shows up on crutches. Isabelle apologizes to Hugo for hurting his fingers and not telling Georges that she was the one who stole the notebook. She also tells Hugo that Georges is running a high fever, and she worries he might die. Georges is the only person who brings in money, and they cannot afford medicine for him because the toy booth is closed while he is sick.
Isabelle’s maturity shines through once again, as she is willing to be the bigger person and apologize to Hugo. At this point, she seems willing to let bygones be bygones, and Georges’s health is at the front of her mind. Isabelle feels guilty about Georges’s condition because she and Hugo are partially responsible for it in the first place.
Themes
Although Hugo feels bad for Isabelle, he thinks he has a way to make everything better. He shows Isabelle the book on early films. Isabelle is amazed; she cannot believe Georges made movies when he wouldn’t even let her see them. Hugo tells Isabelle all about his trip to the library and his reunion with Etienne. He also reveals that he invited Etienne and his teacher—Monsieur Tabard—to Georges’s apartment. Isabelle thinks visitors are a bad idea, but Hugo convinces her it is the only way they can find out the truth.
As it turns out, Georges did not keep Isabelle away from movies because he hated them, but rather because he loved them too much. Movies remind Georges of his past, which is too painful for him to think about. Given Georges’s current state, Hugo’s plan to bring Etienne and Monsieur Tabard to his house seems like a risk; however, at this point, Hugo and Isabelle don’t have any other ideas on how to fix things.
Themes
Then, Isabelle asks Hugo to tell her the full truth about the automaton. For the first time, Hugo opens up to Isabelle and tells her the full story of his life. Although at first he is unsure, he quickly starts to feel good about opening up to Isabelle. When Hugo’s story ends, Isabelle thanks him for telling the full truth. After, Hugo says he has an idea and asks Isabelle to meet him at the toy shop the following day. Isabelle says that the toy shop will be locked, but Hugo assures her it won’t be.
This scene is a big moment for Hugo. Up to this point, he has never willingly trusted anyone else with the story of his father’s death. His willingness to share with Isabelle in this moment cements their friendship in both their eyes. Isabelle knows what a big deal the story is for Hugo—especially because she lost her parents too—and she appreciates Hugo’s vulnerability.
Themes
