[...] Though children’s books not infrequently take on the subject of children suffering under their own weaknesses, the major difference between the world in these books and the real world is that in the latter they cannot define the rules, nor can they rule. In a fictional world, however, they can become heroes and masters of their own fate, or even, anything and anyone. Here children can become free in an existential sense of the word. In order to reach this freedom the child must cope with a number of different and quite difficult and dangerous tasks. But what sort of world is it actually? An aforementioned ersatz world, a parallel world or just a copy of the real world they are desperately striving to escape from?
In any case, this fictitious worlds do not only include the “things in it” but quite frequently (comp. above mentioned Harry Potter, Huck Finn etc.), focus strongly on their protagonists, a fictional child that is in many ways like any other child save in one thing: he or she is capable of ‘doing things’ the others cannot, thus being enabled to change the status quo of things (or of the world). This status quo, i.e. conflicts children generally encounter, is depicted in ironic, quite often exaggerated ways that the child heroes have to face and overcome. Of course, in order to accomplish this, it takes an extraordinary child and it is no coincidence that many a ‘successful’ children’s book either carries its protagonist(s)’s name in the title or is actually named after them. As is Roald Dahl’s Matilda.
As for the world Matilda lives in, it contains many elements of different genres (such as fairy tales etc.) that I will pay my closer attention to, hoping to yield some information on what these worlds include and what makes them so attractive to children and approach to the fantasies and the fantasy world of children.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Matilda universe: what/who is real, what/who is fiction?
III. Themes/Conflicts: “My parents are aliens”
My teacher is a hero/demon
Injustice
Overcoming Injustice (done to oneself or to others)
Rescue of the Princess
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This work examines the portrayal of children's worlds in Roald Dahl's "Matilda," exploring how the narrative employs exaggerated characters, dualisms of good and evil, and supernatural elements to address the fundamental conflict between child protagonists and oppressive adult figures. It seeks to analyze how the novel functions as a parable for the real-life struggles of children and their powerlessness within an adult-dominated society.
- The juxtaposition of fictional "ersatz" worlds versus the constraints of reality.
- The use of caricature to define moral dualisms (good vs. evil).
- Analysis of core conflicts: parental neglect ("my parents are aliens") and institutional injustice.
- The significance of supernatural powers as a tool for children to navigate and overcome existential threats.
Excerpt from the Book
II. Matilda universe: what/who is real, what/who is fiction?
As the writer and critic A.S. Byatt points out in her review on Harry Potter, children books contain caricatures of the real world which “has trains, hospitals, newspapers and competitive sport.” So does ‘Matilda’. She gets her beloved books by Dickens, Austen, Kipling, Orwell etc. from Mrs Phelps, the librarian at the ‘local’ library, in order to devour them on the spot or at home. As for ‘local’, we are not told by the narrator in which particular town the narration takes place. Thanks to some characters’ names such as Mrs Wormwood’s and Mrs Phelps’ we can suppose that the characters in Matilda are living in an English speaking country, and anyway, does the author really tell us that it is not a nice little village somewhere in Australia and what actually, except the (British English) language that is used, could make us think otherwise? Spain is mentioned at the end of the novel (p. 236) which can be reached from, say, New Zealand as well!). Coincidence? It seems simply unimportant since the locations and the different characters (which are anything but insipid!) act as variables in a parable story, actually not very much different from the one Matilda herself is reading at the beginning of the story: Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm.’ Just as each character in Animal Farm stands for either iconic personalities (Stalin, Lenin, Hitler, Goebbles) and/or for human vices and virtues (horses and donkeys = efficiency, loyalty; dogs and pigs = malice, intelligence), the characters in Matilda stand for universal human characteristics.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter establishes the concept of children's literature as an "ersatz world" that offers child protagonists the freedom and agency often denied to them in their real lives.
II. Matilda universe: what/who is real, what/who is fiction?: The author argues that the characters in the novel are exaggerated caricatures representing universal human traits, much like a parable, rather than realistic portrayals of individuals.
III. Themes/Conflicts: “My parents are aliens”: This section analyzes the main conflicts of the novel, specifically focusing on parental neglect and the struggle against dysfunctional authority figures.
My teacher is a hero/demon: This chapter contrasts the roles of Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull, examining how they represent opposing forces of nurturing versus malice within the school setting.
Injustice: The focus here is on the systematic abuse of power by the headmistress and how the narrative employs irony and exaggeration to highlight these injustices.
Overcoming Injustice (done to oneself or to others): This section explores how Matilda utilizes her supernatural abilities to launch a counterattack against oppressors, seeking justice for herself and others.
Rescue of the Princess: The final section discusses the character of Miss Honey as a "princess" figure who, despite her goodness, requires Matilda's supernatural intervention to be liberated from her victimhood.
Keywords
Matilda, Roald Dahl, children's literature, caricature, injustice, morality, supernatural, parental neglect, Miss Trunchbull, Miss Honey, parable, fantasy, rebellion, agency, victimhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
This work focuses on analyzing the underlying themes and narrative structures in Roald Dahl’s "Matilda," specifically how the book portrays the struggle between children and oppressive adults.
What are the central thematic fields?
The central themes include the dualism of good and evil, the experience of injustice, parental neglect, and the empowerment of children through fantasy and supernatural ability.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to explore how the novel functions as a parable for real-world childhood experiences and why supernatural elements are necessary for the protagonist to overcome her situation.
Which methodology is applied?
The work employs a literary analysis approach, examining characterization, symbolic representation, and the application of irony and exaggeration within the text.
What is discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the analysis of characters as caricatures, the categorization of central conflicts, and the specific dynamics between Matilda and her antagonists.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include "caricature," "injustice," "supernatural," "moral dualism," and "agency."
Why does the author consider Matilda's parents caricatures?
They are described as caricatures because they are reduced to exaggerated, one-dimensional traits—such as greed or vanity—to serve the novel's moral narrative rather than representing complex, realistic individuals.
How is the role of Miss Honey analyzed in the context of the "princess" motif?
Miss Honey is viewed as a princess figure who embodies goodness and warmth, yet she is unable to change her circumstances alone and remains a victim until she is "rescued" by Matilda's supernatural intervention.
What is the significance of the "supernatural" in the novel's resolution?
The author argues that supernatural powers are essential for the story because, in the real world, children lack the agency or means to challenge the power of adults who impose their will on them.
- Quote paper
- StR Sener Saltürk (Author), 2005, Matilda’s World and the Real One, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/204005
