Matilda Research Paper

With a total of thirty four novels written, Roald Dahl is one of the most renowned children’s book authors. From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Matilda, his works have been read by millions and adored by all children, but he was not always admired like he is now. He was criticized for “a persistent nastiness and brutality...and he lingers over their horrible appearances and habits” (Castella 1). His characters and their actions are often ridiculously grotesque, almost borderline sadistic, but nowadays readers have begun accepting the rebellious nature of his children’s book. Looking at one of his most famous novels, Matilda, we can see his critique regarding adults and parenthood. The book, Matilda, might have been intended not only for

Stuart Hall, a cultural theorist, has written those in power get to determine what knowledge is universal. He goes on to say that if you have knowledge you can challenge the power. In the book, Matilda gains knowledge, she gains the power to challenge the one in control, her parents and Miss Trunchbull. Her parents and Miss Trunchbull represents those in power; they get to control what is known. If we look outside the book and in the real world, those who get to control the knowledge are the parents. They determine what is wrong and what is right because they claim kids are uneducated and inexperienced. Matilda’s knowledge gives her the faculty to save Miss Honey from Miss Trunchbull’s grasp, and gets rid of her parents. Dahl exaggerates the characteristic of all the adults in the story to prove to the readers that sometimes when the power to determine the truth is in the hands of adults it is not always in the best hands. Miss Honey is nice yet ineffective, showing that being nice is not enough. Loving your children with all your heart is not the answer either. Dahl once again demonstrates the importance childrearing. Being assertive and setting boundaries as a parent is necessary because being kind like Miss Honey is not enough as proven in

Naturally, children are overlooked and their words and actions generally hold no weight. People have said, “Age is just a number,” but in reality we, as a society, tend to put more worth and respect in the words of the elder. The elder have been through more and they understand more. This idea of age discrimination is deeply imbedded in our society. It is completely accepted that parents and adult know best, and a young four year old girl can not talk back or question them. To question this ideology, Dahl paints adult characters that are ignorant, ineffective, and even violent, which are characteristics that adults really do have. There is a role reversal when Matilda is the most knowledgeable and powerful character even though it is because of a miracle. Dahl blatantly shows the readers that sometimes children do have valuable insight, even more so than adults. Age should not mean anything especially to parents. Parents should be willingly to listen and understand everything about their children. They should not let this false hierarchy between children and adults, limit them from listening to the thoughts of their children. This story of the brilliant young girl empowers children to dream on and to stand up for what they believe in, and in return it also teaches parents what to do and what not