In this activity, students will identify a theme and support the theme with evidence from the text. One theme in Matilda is good versus evil.
Mrs. Phelps, Matilda, and Miss Honey are examples of kind, intelligent, and selfless characters who help others. Mrs. Phelps, the librarian, notices Matilda’s talents, but does not make a fuss about them; she simply hones in on the girl’s interests by providing her with classic books. Matilda shows her goodness when she helps Miss Honey get her house back by scaring Miss Trunchbull. Miss Honey shows her compassion and kindness when Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood run off to Spain, and she vows to take care of Matilda as the parents drive away.
Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood and Miss Trunchbull are characters who are ornery and cruel to others. Mr. Wormwood is abusive to Matilda – often calling her stupid and ripping up her books. Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood do not care that Matilda is especially gifted, and actually see it as a weakness. Miss Trunchbull is evil towards the children at school as well as Miss Honey, her niece. For example, Miss Trunchbull threw a little girl by the pigtails, picked up a boy by the ear, and forced a boy to eat an entire chocolate cake. Also, Miss Trunchbull made Miss Honey her slave as a child, and continues to control her money as an adult.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Matilda. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.