Matilda by Roald Dahl: Summary and Themes

Education

• Matilda, the librarian, and Miss Honey highly value education, which is at the center of the novel.
• Matilda has been self-educated from an early age, as her parents paid zero attention to her, and reads all the children's books in the library before she turns five.
• Miss Honey realizes Matilda's intelligence is a wonderful gift that shouldn't go to waste, and is willing to invest time to foster an environment that helps Matilda progress.
• Characters like Principal Trunchbull and Matilda's parents think education and knowledge are unimportant, and would rather eliminate children from school.

Family

• Matilda's family and Miss Honey's family are indifferent to them, showing that family doesn't have to be blood related.
• Matilda's parents are obsessed with materialism, failing to see her special gifts, such as her genius and supernatural abilities.
• Miss Honey was forced to deal with her horrible Aunt Trunchbull, who treated her like a slave, doing all the household chores, making her bed, washing, and ironing for her, and cooking.
• Miss Honey and Matilda, who never had loving families, desire kinship and eventually form an unconditional loving bond, which grows so deep that Matilda's parents allow her to leave with Miss Honey.
• At the end of the book, Matilda and Miss Honey live happily ever after in Miss Honey's cottage.

This quiz tests your knowledge of Roald Dahl's beloved children's book Matilda, which tells the story of a brilliant and kind-hearted girl with supernatural powers who finds a supportive teacher and battles against cruel authority figures. Get ready to relive the magic of this timeless tale!