Matilda

Miss Honey is the only kind adult among the abusive and neglectful adults depicted in the novel "Matilda.” Miss Honey embodies the qualities of care and compassion and has an unwavering belief in the potential of every student of hers.

She is portrayed as having a delicate constitution and a timid demeanor. Yet, within this seemingly fragile frame lies a fierce urge to nurture the minds of her students.

Miss Honey's kindness permeates her interactions with her students. While Trunchbull instills fear, Miss Honey fosters curiosity and encourages individuality. She remembers each child's name and celebrates their unique talents. Unlike the other adults in the book, she does not dismiss Matilda’s advanced reading skills as her being precocious. She recognizes Matilda’s exceptional intelligence and nurtures it with challenging literature.

This nurturing spirit extends beyond academics. Miss Honey understands the emotional needs of her students. She recognizes Matilda's pain and loneliness, offering an empathetic ear and a comforting presence. Despite her strong fear of Miss Trunchbull, she musters up the courage to ask Miss Trunchbull to cultivate Matilda’s genius. She even goes so far as to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, highlighting Matilda's neglected potential and urging them to provide proper care and education.

Miss Honey herself isn't exempt from suffering. Her cruel aunt, Miss Trunchbull, allows her only a meager allowance from her paycheck. She is thus trapped in a dilapidated cottage with limited resources. She fiercely protects her independence, even if it means continued poverty. Her continued stay in poor conditions becomes a symbol of her desire for freedom and control over her own life. This showcases the mental strength it takes Miss Honey to maintain kindness and a nurturing attitude amidst such hardship.

It is Miss Honey's unwavering kindness and belief in Matilda that empower the young girl to break free from her oppressive environment. In turn, Matilda not only creates a better future for herself but also sets Miss Honey free from her abusive aunt's grip. Their shared victory showcases the powerful impact of genuine care and unwavering support.

Miss Honey serves as a reminder that even the smallest acts of compassion can change the course of someone’s life. In a story filled with extraordinary characters and magical powers, Miss Honey stands out as a reminder that the most powerful force of all is often the simplest: true human kindness.

Miss Trunchbull is one of the most terrifying figures in the novel. The opposite of Miss Honey, she embodies oppressive authority and revels in people being afraid of her.

Her appearance adds to her tyrannical image. Described as "built like a weightlifter," she boasts a stocky build, powerful arms, and an intimidating scowl. Her past as an Olympic hammer thrower adds to her image of physical dominance. She even wears a tailored uniform reminiscent of her athletic days, reinforcing the message of power and control.

She further instills fear in children by throwing them out of windows and shutting them up in a dark cupboard with nails and glass pieces. Her sadistic punishments are meant to break the spirit and any sense of individuality. As Bruce Bogtrotter recounts, "She gets a kind of pleasure out of making you suffer."

This sadistic delight extends beyond students. Miss Honey, her timid niece, is continuously abused emotionally by her. She has complete control over Miss Honey’s finances and even the fortune left by Miss Honey’s father. Miss Trunchbull's actions reveal a deep-seated desire for control and a complete disregard for anyone weaker than herself.

Despite this seemingly invincible exterior, Miss Trunchbull has many irrational fears. She is terrified of supernatural spirits and of something as small as an innocent newt. This highlights the irony of her imposing persona, which masks a core of deep fear and cowardice. In the end, a small child scares Miss Trunchbull into leaving town and giving Miss Honey her inheritance and money. This triumph signifies the ultimate defeat of brute force by courage and wit.

Miss Trunchbull serves as a cautionary tale, showcasing the destructive nature of fear and power wielded without compassion. It drives home the moral that true strength lies not in intimidation and brute force but in empathy and the ability to inspire positive change.

Mr. Wormwood, Matilda's father, embodies the antithesis of everything nurturing and supportive. His greasy appearance, loud clothes, and constant self-aggrandizement paint a vivid picture of a man more concerned with appearances and dubious schemes than with his own daughter's well-being.

Mr. Wormwood's primary focus is on his used-car business, which he runs using dishonest and manipulative techniques. He sees every customer as a potential victim, boasting of his "cunning" ability to inflate prices and hide flaws. This warped sense of business ethics extends to his personal life, where he belittles Matilda's intellectual pursuits and encourages his dimwitted son, Michael, to engage in cunning tricks that help his business.

Matilda's brilliance, in stark contrast to his own limited understanding, is a constant threat to Mr. Wormwood's fragile ego. He refuses to acknowledge her exceptional reading abilities, dismissing them as "showing off." He belittles her curiosity and thirst for knowledge and actively discourages her from reading, preferring the mindless entertainment of television over the enriching world of books. He even goes so far as to tear up Matilda’s book because she praises it. This shows how he neglected Matilda’s emotional and intellectual needs. His disdain for education is evident in his interactions with Miss Honey. He scoffs at her concerns about Matilda's advanced learning and dismisses her suggestions as "nonsense."

Mr. Wormwood's self-serving actions eventually catch up with him. His dishonest business practices led him to flee the country. Even here, he shows no remorse for leaving Matilda with Miss Honey. He even appears relieved to be rid of the responsibility, as he sees Matilda as an inconvenience to his pursuit of wealth and shallow pleasures.

Mr. Wormwood's character showcases the dangers of an unchecked ego, neglectful parenting, and dishonesty. As Matilda overcame her neglectful upbringing to find happiness and fulfillment, his actions also serve as a reminder of the human spirit's tenacity.

Mrs. Wormwood is Matilda’s neglectful mother. She is an extremely shallow woman whose sole focus lies on her appearance and her frivolous hobbies. Even though she spends considerable time and effort on her looks, her attempts backfire. Her heavy makeup appears garish, and her poorly-fitting clothes cling to her in ways that are unflattering. The platinum blonde hair is described as mousy brown at the roots, revealing the gap between Mrs. Wormwood's aspirations and reality. This is also a source of humor in the novel. Instead of appearing sophisticated, she comes across as tacky and out-of-touch.

This outward presentation is also a symbol of her obsession with images, masking a deeper lack of substance. She has an unwavering belief that a woman's worth lies solely in her appearance, which is further evidence of her superficiality. She places more importance on the fact that her husband is rich than on his devious business schemes. She is more concerned with modeling Matilda after what she deems the ideal woman, instead of focusing on her individuality. This twisted perspective reveals a deep-rooted insecurity, suggesting that her own happiness hinges on superficial validation.

She indulges in mindless entertainment, like watching TV and playing bingo. She hardly cares to nurture her daughter’s potential or even notice it. This neglect extends beyond emotional indifference. Mrs. Wormwood remains silent in the face of Mr. Wormwood's constant belittling and physical abuse of Matilda. Her silence becomes complicity, further isolating and hurting her daughter. When the opportunity arises to leave Matilda behind during a trip to Spain, Mrs. Wormwood readily grasps it. This final act of neglect exposes the true depth of her misplaced priorities. Her own pleasure and comfort outweigh the love and care a parent should naturally offer her child.

Mrs. Wormwood's tragicomedy warns against prioritizing superficiality, neglecting self-improvement, and stifling individuality in the pursuit of a hollow image.

Mrs. Phelps, the librarian, is the first kind and encouraging adult Matilda meets. Similar to Miss Honey, she offers a nurturing space for Matilda’s intellectual growth. Her passion for literature gives Matilda a much-needed escape from reality.

Mrs. Phelps recognizes and nurtures Matilda's exceptional intellect. She introduces her to classics, patiently answering her questions and encouraging her to explore diverse genres even when she doesn't fully grasp the meaning. This encouragement even goes beyond books. Mrs. Phelps intuitively understands Matilda's exceptional potential. While others dismiss her intelligence as showing off, Mrs. Phelps celebrates it.

She is deeply concerned about Matilda's home life but avoids intrusive interference. She subtly offers support within the boundaries of her role, knowing that imposing herself wouldn't change the dynamics within the dysfunctional household. Despite her limited power, Mrs. Phelps becomes a silent force for positive change. By nurturing Matilda's love for reading and acknowledging her unique talent, she equips her with the tools to break free from her oppressive surroundings. The knowledge and confidence Mrs. Phelps instills in Matilda become her weapons against neglect and injustice.

Mrs. Phelps serves as a reminder that kindness and intellectual nourishment can spark a revolution. She becomes a catalyst for Matilda's self-discovery and a symbol of hope in a world often devoid of empathy and understanding.

Lavender is one of Matilda’s friends from Crunchem Hall. She emerges as a vibrant spark of rebellion against the oppressive atmosphere of Crunchem Hall. While not the protagonist, her mischievous spirit and subtle acts of defiance contribute significantly to the overall narrative. It highlights the power of individual expression in the face of authority.

Lavender's appearance speaks to her individuality. Described as tiny with wild brown hair, she stands out among the uniformed sea of students. Her most notable accessory is her hair ribbons, always mismatched and flamboyant, a deliberate challenge to Miss Trunchbull's strict dress code. The incident of the disappearing ribbon shows that even small, quiet acts of resistance can be impactful.

Another instance of Lavender's rebellious spirit is when she slips a newt into Miss Trunchbull’s water pitcher. This insignificant prank exposes the cracks in the seemingly invincible facade of the headmistress. This reminds everyone that even the most powerful figures have vulnerabilities.

While some might dismiss Lavender as childish or mischievous, her actions hold deeper significance. Her defiance, though presented with humor, highlights the importance of expressing oneself and challenging unjust authority. She represents the spirit of individuality in a world that seeks to enforce conformity.