MATILDA by Roald Dahl
LUISA MASOT PASTOR
AUTHOR
Roal Dahl was born in Wales to Norwegian parents in 13 September 1916. he served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence officer, rising to the rank of wing commander. Dahl rose to prominence in the 1940s, with works for both children and adults, and became one of the world's best-selling authors.
Roal Dahl himself had five children: Olivia, Teresa, Theo, Ophelia and Lucy. Tragically, Olivia died of measles when she was seven- the same age as his eldest sister when she died.
Roal Dahl himself had five children: Olivia, Teresa, Theo, Ophelia and Lucy. Tragically, Olivia died of measles when she was seven- the same age as his eldest sister when she died.
SUMMARY
This is the story of a sweet bright little girl named Matilda, who is a child of wondrous intelligence. But unfortunately she is different from the rest of her family. Ignored at home all the time, Matilda escapes into a world of reading, exercising her mind so much she develops telekinetic powers. Good thing, too: sent off to a school headed by a cruel hulking monster, principal Agatha Trunchbull, Matilda needs all the help she can get. Amid Crunchem's darkness, Matilda finds a single light in warm-hearted Miss Honey, the first-grade teacher who recognizes the girl's remarkable skills--including a very special talent that allows the spirited girl to turn the tables on the wicked grown-ups in her world.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Matilda Wormwood
Is the main character in the story. Matilda loves to read even though her parents refuse to allow any books in the house - instead preferring that she and her brother simply watch the television. Later in the story, it is revealed that Matilda also possesses the powers of psychokinesis (the ability to move things with her mind) and it is implied that these powers are a result of the repressed anger she feels toward her parents and Headmistress who vacillate between ignoring and belittling her.
Mr. Harry Wormwood
is Matilda's father. Harry is also a used car dealer, and right from the start of the book we learn that he is a dishonest business man. Instead of praising his daughter for her abilities, he constantly tells her that she is "ignorant and stupid." In fact, when Matilda correctly adds several large sums in her head and presents the answer to her father, he calls her a "cheat and a liar."
Mrs. Wormwood
Matilda's mother, is described as a large woman whose hair was dyed platinum blonde. Mrs. Wormwood's only interests are watching American soap-operas and playing Bingo every day. Like her husband, Mrs. Wormwood thinks very little of her daughter's unique abilities and often berates her.
Miss Jennifer Honey
is Matilda's teacher at Crunchem Hall Primary School. Miss Honey is young, pretty, mild-mannered and "possessed that rare gift for being adored by every small child under her care." Later in the story, she becomes a great advocate for Matilda.
Miss Truchbull
is undoubtedly the most colorful in the cast of Matilda characters. The Headmistress at Crunchem Hall Primary School, Miss Trunchbull serves as the "head teacher, the boss and the supreme commander" who "insists on strict discipline throughout the school." Dahl also describes her as a "gigantic holy terror, a fierce tyrannical monster who frightened the life out of the pupils and teachers alike" who "hardly ever spoke in a normal voice." Much later in the book, we learn that Miss Trunchbull is also Miss Honey's aunt Agatha.
Directora Tronchatoro hace de las suyas
My opinion
I have always loved this story. I love the movie and the book. I think it is a good example of education. where we can see that not all children have the same attention at home and especially at school.
Audio Recording on Monday afternoon by Lumapa
Matilda's parents owned quite a nice house with three bedrooms upstairs, while on the ground floor there was a dining-room and a living-room and a kitchen. Her father was a dealer in second-hand cars and it seemed he did pretty well at it.
"Sawdust", he would say proudly, "is one of the great secrets of my success. And it costs me nothing. I get it free from the sawmill."
"Sawdust", he would say proudly, "is one of the great secrets of my success. And it costs me nothing. I get it free from the sawmill."