Matilda: Key Characters and Themes

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Questions and Answers

Who wrote Matilda?

Roald Dahl

Who are Matilda's parents?

Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood

Who was Matilda's brother?

Michael

How old was Matilda when her speech was already perfect?

One and a half Signup and view all the answers

What do her parents call her instead of applauding her?

A Noisy Chatterbox Signup and view all the answers

How old was Matilda when she taught herself to read?

3 years old Signup and view all the answers

What does Matilda ask her dad for?

A book Signup and view all the answers

What did her dad say to Matilda when she asked him for a book?

He said she's getting spoiled. Signup and view all the answers

How big was the Wormwood's TV?

12 inches Signup and view all the answers

How much older was her brother compared to Matilda?

5 years older Signup and view all the answers

What was Mrs. Wormwood hooked on?

Bingo Signup and view all the answers

Who is the librarian?

Mrs. Phelps Signup and view all the answers

According to Mrs. Phelps, where are the children's books?

On the lower shelves. Signup and view all the answers

How many minutes did it take her to walk to the library?

10 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What children's book did Matilda like the most?

The Secret Garden Signup and view all the answers

How old is Matilda, according to her answering Mrs. Phelps' question on page 6?

Four years and three months Signup and view all the answers

What was Mrs. Phelps' first thought when Matilda asked for grown-up books?

Her first thought was a young teenager's romance of the kind that is written for 15-year-old schoolgirls. Signup and view all the answers

What is Matilda's first grown-up book?

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Signup and view all the answers

Where does her mother go every day to play bingo?

Aylesbury Signup and view all the answers

What do Matilda's parents expect her to do every afternoon?

Mooching around and watch the telly. Signup and view all the answers

List 5 out of the 13 books Matilda has read.

Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy Signup and view all the answers

What did her own small bedroom become?

Her reading room Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Wormwood sell?

Cars Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Wormwood use to turn back miles on the car?

An electric drill Signup and view all the answers

Why is Matilda's father dishonest?

Because he lied to his customers about his cars to make good profit. Signup and view all the answers

Why wasn't Matilda allowed to read while eating?

Mr. Wormwood insisted that she was supposed to watch television while eating. Signup and view all the answers

What decision did Matilda come up with when Mr. Wormwood forced her to watch TV while eating?

She decided to take revenge on her dad. Signup and view all the answers

What did Matilda do to her father after the TV shows?

She put glue on his hat. Signup and view all the answers

What is Chapter 3 called?

'The Hat and the Superglue' Signup and view all the answers

What did Matilda say she saw her mother do?

Picking her nose Signup and view all the answers

What did Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood assume happened to her father's hair?

They assumed that he took Mrs. Wormwood's shampoo instead of his. Signup and view all the answers

What did Mrs. Wormwood think about the hat glued to Mr. Wormwood's head?

She thought he looked silly and not like the man of her dreams. Signup and view all the answers

What was the worst thing Mr. Wormwood had while having a hat glued to his head?

He can't shower properly and sleep well. Signup and view all the answers

Why did she play a trick on her father?

To teach him a lesson so that he wouldn't bully her again. Signup and view all the answers

After her father teared up her book, what decision did Matilda make?

She decided that she will trick her dad again by putting a parrot in the chimney and scare him. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the owner of the parrot?

Fred, Matilda's friend Signup and view all the answers

Why did she put the parrot in the chimney?

To make her family think it is a ghost Signup and view all the answers

What did Matilda do to the parrot she borrowed?

She caged it up in the chimney Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters

Matilda is the protagonist, an exceptionally intelligent young girl.
Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood are Matilda's neglectful parents.
Michael is Matilda's older brother, five years her senior.
Mrs. Phelps is the librarian who helps Matilda find books.

Matilda's Intelligence

Matilda speaks perfectly at just one and a half years old.
By the age of three, she teaches herself to read, showcasing her prodigious talent.
She reads a variety of classic literature by authors like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Charlotte Brontë.

Family Dynamics

Matilda's parents are dismissive of her talents; they refer to her as a "Noisy Chatterbox" rather than applauding her abilities.
Mr. Wormwood sells cars and is dishonest in his business practices.
Mrs. Wormwood is addicted to playing bingo and is indifferent to Matilda’s needs.

Matilda's Reading Habits

Her favorite book is "The Secret Garden," reflecting her desire for escape and adventure.
Matilda reads in her small bedroom, which transforms into her reading sanctuary.
She manages to borrow books from Mrs. Phelps and is particularly interested in adult literature, beginning with "Great Expectations."

Conflicts and Rebellions

Matilda's father discourages her reading and insists she watches television instead, leading her to plot revenge.
She plays tricks on her father, including gluing his hat to his head as a lesson against his bullying behavior.
Matilda's cleverness shines through as she devises a plan involving a parrot to scare her family, demonstrating her desire for retribution and independence.

Miscellaneous Details

The Wormwood family television set is only 12 inches, symbolizing their low standards.
Matilda walks to the library in ten minutes, indicating her determination to seek knowledge.
Despite her parents' neglect, she has managed to read 13 books and showcases her ability to seek joy in literature amidst her challenging home life.

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Description

Explore the key characters and themes from Roald Dahl's 'Matilda'. This quiz delves into Matilda's extraordinary intelligence, her family dynamics, and her passion for reading. Test your knowledge about the relationships that shape her world and the literature that inspires her.