MATILDA - SUMMARY

Matilda Wormwood is misunderstood by her parents since the day of her birth.  Matilda is an
exceptional, gifted, and almost supernatural child born to very average, unintelligent, and
unimaginative parents. 

During her toddlerhood, Matilda asks her father for a book and is pressured to watch
television instead.  When she learns about the library, Matilda makes it a goal to get there and
learn to read on her own (under the watchful eye of the neighbourly librarian).  Matilda reads
the classics, not just simple children's books, and is chastised by her parents for her
intelligence.  Matilda always finds ingenious ways to get back at them, though, either by
putting peroxide in her father's hair dye or superglue in his favourite hat. 

It isn't long before Matilda's Kindergarten teacher, Miss Honey, discovers Matilda's genius as
well, but when Miss Honey tries to suggest higher education to the parents, she is met with
mega-resistance.  Meanwhile, the horrible headmistress at Matilda's school (who is also Miss
Honey's aunt) abuses the children in all of her classes to no end.  Even though "The
Trunchbull" is often seen hurling children out of windows and forcing them to stuff down a
class-size chocolate cake, the worst torturous punishment the children can endure is to be
slammed in "the Chokey." 

Matilda's supernatural powers stem from the fact that she is psychokinetic (and can
manipulate objects at will).  Matilda uses this to her full advantage both with her parents and
with Trunchbull.  The climax of the book is when Matilda uses her powers to draw on the
chalkboard in the name of "Magnus" in order to scare Trunchbull into leaving the school for
good and giving Miss Honey her right inheritance. 

Just as Matilda's parents are caught in their cheating business schemes and decide to move to
Spain, Miss Honey asks if she can adopt Matilda.  The horrible Wormwoods drive away
never to be seen again while Miss Honey and Matilda are left to a beautiful and happy life
together.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

WEEK CHAPTERS FOCUS

WEEK 1 • The Reader of Books Plot - exposition
• Mr Wormwood, the Great
Car Dealer Characters: Mr and Mrs Wormwood
• The Hat and the Superglue (antagonists), Matilda (protagonist),
• The Ghost Mrs Phelps (Librarian)
• Arithmetic
• The Platinum-Blond Man Setting: England (vague setting
suggests reference to modern day
culture)

Conflict: adult vs child

Themes:, parenting, child neglect,

 reading vs television and ethical
issues
WEEK 2 • Miss Honey Plot – rising action
• The Trunchbull
• The Parents Characters: contrast Miss Honey and
Ms Trunchbull, the Wormwoods

Themes: Qualities of a good teacher,

school leadership, diversity and
inclusivity, television vs reading,
looks vs books

Style: How physical characteristics

meld with personality of characters
WEEK 2 • Throwing the Hammer Characters: Crunchem Hall Primary
• Bruce Bogtrotter and the school learners (Lavender, Hortensia,
Cake Bruce, Amanda Thripp), Ms
• Lavender Trunchbull
• The Weekly Test
• Themes: Discipline and authority /
abuse of power (How much is too
much?)
WEEK 3 • The First Miracle Plot – rising action
• The Second Miracle
Themes: Loss of innocence

WEEK 4 • Miss Honey's Cottage Plot – rising action

• Miss Honey's Story
Themes: Triumph of good over evil

WEEK 5 • The Names Plot - climax

• The Practice
• The Third Miracle Themes

WEEK 6 • A New Home Plot - resolution

Themes