Quotes

The novel is written in a simple and engaging style and is filled with memorable quotes. The quotes capture the main themes of the novel, including the power of books, old versus young, passion, intelligence, humility, and parenthood.

The Power of Books

Roald Dahl advocated reading for children in ‘Matilda.’ In the novel, Matilda Wormwood teaches herself to read and write and becomes a voracious reader by the time she is 5 years old. She reads books at a college level, including ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles,’ ‘Jane Eyre,’ ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ ‘Nicholas Nickleby,’ and so on. Dahl’s description of the power of reading is so fascinating that it inspires young children to pick up books as well. It goes like this: 

The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She traveled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.

Reading was a source of pleasure for the young girl. But Matilda’s daily activity accomplished so much more than giving her pleasure. Reading helped Matilda to expand her intellect, understand different perspectives, gain a new view of life and learn about the different places around the world. Last but not least, reading books was also a form of escape for the young protagonist. She did not have loving parents at home, nor did she have many friends. In the end, books become Matilda’s companions, and she finds solace in them. 

So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.

Old versus Young

There is a constant struggle between children and adults in the novel. Some of the adults that are shown in the novel are mean and unpleasant, especially Matilda’s parents and headmistress. However, it almost seems like no one is ready to tell the adults off, even if they are in the wrong. When Matilda decides to stand up to her parents, she is told that she is wrong just by virtue of being a child. 

I’m right and you’re wrong, I’m big and you’re small, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Children are also thought of as a nuisance, especially by the arrogant headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. She doesn’t care about the children who attend her school and is extremely vocal about her views on children.

I cannot for the life of me understand why small children take so long to grow up. I think they do it deliberately, just to annoy me.

At times, Miss Trunchbull can also be verbally abusive towards children.

You ignorant little slug!” the Trunchbull bellowed. “You witless weed! You empty-headed hamster! You stupid glob of glue!

Passion

Matilda is a passionate girl. She awakens her magical powers when her emotions get the best of her. Matilda strongly believes that whatever she is doing, she needs to do her best. This is why she is an exceptional child both in school and at home. 

Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable.

This can act as general advice for children: the whole object of life is to see something till the end without giving up halfway. This is how Miss Honey lives her life as well, despite the abuse she receives from her aunt. She is a passionate teacher, with an ability to impart both courage and wisdom in creative ways. This can be seen in the way she teaches her students to spell the word, “difficulty”.

“Here it is,’ Nigel said. Mrs D, Mrs I, Mrs FFI, Mrs C, Mrs U, Mrs LTY. That spells difficulty.’ How perfectly ridiculous!’ snorted Miss Trunchbull. ‘Why are all these women married?”  

Intelligence

Matilda is an extremely intelligent child and is gifted with the ability to read and write like adults even before she reaches the age of 5. However, no one pays any attention to her. Therefore, Matilda’s intellect goes unnoticed until she begins attending school. This is when the first adult in her life begins to care about her. Miss Honey, a gentle and kind teacher, takes stock of Matilda’s potential and nurtures her intelligence.

“Did you know”, Matilda said suddenly, “that the heart of a mouse beats at the rate of six hundred and fifty times a second?”

“I did not,” Miss Honey said smiling. “How absolutely fascinating. Where did you read that?”

“In a book from the library,” Matilda said. “And that means it goes so fast that you can’t even hear the separate beats. It must sound like a buzz.”

“It must,” Miss Honey said.”

Miss Honey’s intelligence is admired by Matilda as well. However, just like Matilda, Miss Honey is pushed to the sidelines, especially by the likes of Mrs. Wormwood, who believes that looks are more important than books. 

“A girl should think about making herself look attractive so she can get a good husband later on. Looks are more important than books, Miss Hunky…”

“The name is Honey,” Miss Honey said.

“Now look at me,” Mrs. Wormwood said. “Then look at you. You chose books. I chose looks.”

Parenthood

The concept of parenthood takes an unusual twist in this Roald Dahl novel. Matilda’s parents are never nice to her. They are highly neglectful and sometimes downright abusive. 

Matilda longed for her parents to be good and loving and understanding and honourable and intelligent. The fact that they were none of these things was something she had to put up with.

This is in contrast to the behavior of parents in general. Most parents dote on their children as if they were the most wonderful beings on the planet.

It’s a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.

However, this was not the case with Matilda. Miss Trunchbull is warned by Mr. Wormwood – not that Matilda is a gifted child – but that she is a naughty and mischievous one. Again, this is highly unusual behavior for a parent.

In any event, parents never underestimated the abilities of their own children. Quite the reverse. Sometimes it was well nigh impossible for a teacher to convince the proud father or mother that their beloved offspring was a complete nitwit.

Humility

Although she is extremely intelligent and mature for her age, Matilda is a humble child. She never shows off her powers nor does she ever make anyone feel like they were less than her.

What a nice child she is, Miss Honey thought. I don’t care what her father said about her, she seems very quiet and gentle to me. And not a bit stuck up in spite of her brilliance.

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