Spoilers are off. You have been warned.
- The violent drunk Ensor taking out his anger on Patrasche by beating him. Becomes Fridge Horror if you consider that he's had Patrasche ever since he was a puppy.
- Nello's predicament really highlights just how bad child abuse was in that era. There are no social services or foster homes to take him in after his father dies, and he is also forced to do labour and tolerate child abuse for a living. He is also expected to compete with literal adults like Sergio when it comes to selling milk.
- At the same time, it also highlights the lack of animal rights in that era. In modern day Belgium, Ensor would have been jailed and socially ostracized for beating Patrasche, and he would have gone to a shelter. But none of those existed in the 1800s.
- Nello was ever so wide-eyed and hopeful to win the art contest, only for it to go to another boy instead. Sadly, he really was close to winning, but at the end the other judges vetoed Ray's vote.
- The entire village took part in excluding a little boy who they knew was an orphan based on unsubstantiated rumours by Hans. And by the time they found out they were wrong it was too late.
- Nello's last words.You must be cold, Patrasche.
