2. WHAT IS CONFLICT?
• Conflict in literature is the central struggle between
characters or competing forces, such as man against
nature, society or himself.
3. CONFLICTS IN MATILDA
There are numerous instances of conflict in 'Matilda.' Here are a few
examples of these conflicts:
Mr. Wormwood vs. Miss Honey
Trunchbull vs. Bruce Bogtrotter
Trunchbull vs. Hortensia
Trunchbull vs. Matilda
4. MR. & MRS. WORMWOOD VS. MISS HONEY
When Miss Honey came to visit Matilda’s parents, Mr. Wormwood greeted her in this manner.
‘Got into trouble already, has she?’ Mr. Wormwood said, blocking the doorway. ‘Well, she’s your
responsibility from now. You’ll have to deal with her.’
Miss Honey, Matilda's teacher, was impressed by her abilities and was eager to meet the parents of
this remarkable girl. Unfortunately, she was greeted by a nasty and sarcastic Mr. Wormwood. Mrs.
Wormwood was no better, disparaging Ms. Honey and compared her intelligence to her beauty. Ms.
Honey quickly realizes, they are uninterested in Matilda and are more concerned with their own lives.
5. WHO IS THE TRUNCHBULL?
MEAN, MEANER, MEANEST
Trunchbull is the headmistress and the antagonist of ‘Matilda’.
She hates kids so much and show it by her actions and words .She
tosses boys out of windows, uses girls for shot-put practice,
imprisons children and compels them to eat cake, and picks them
up by their ears and hair. The Trunchbull is feared by everyone,
not just pupils and parents. No one wants to stand up to her until
Matilda shows up.
6. TRUNCHBULL VS. HORTENSIA
Hortensia is a young girl who befriends Matilda and has encountered The
Trunchbull several times. Hortensia smeared Golden Syrup over The
Trunchbull's chair was one of these confrontations. Her placing itching
powder in all of Trunchbull's underwear was the second occurrence.
Hortensia was severely punished by the Trunchbull each time. She
explains that the Trunchbull can typically identify who did something evil
even if there is no evidence. Hortensia was caught for all of her misdeeds.
7. TRUNCHBULL VS. BRUCE BOGTROTTER
Trunchbull accuses Bruce of stealing from her secret chocolate cake stash.
Bruce denies taking the cake, but the Trunchbull has a witness: the school cook.
Bruce appears to be terrified at first, and the Trunchbull tricks him into
admitting by asking if the cake was tasty. The Trunchbull brings forward a
massive chocolate cake, over a foot and a half across, and tells Bruce that the
cake is for him and that he must eat it all or she will put him in 'The Chokey.'
With the support of the other students cheering him on, Bruce tucks in and
consumes the entire cake. Of course, this enrages Trunchbull to no end.
8. TRUNCHBULL VS. MATILDA #1
The Trunchbull enters Ms. Honey’s class and she is very disgusted by the students.
Trunchbull takes advantage of the opportunity to get some water and gasps when she
notices a newt on the table. She calls on Matilda and, telling her to stand, and blames
her for the newt. The Trunchbull and Matilda engage in a screaming match. Matilda
stands up to the Trunchbull, who calls her a bunch of names. At this time, the Trunchbull
threatens to expel or imprison Matilda. Matilda stares at the water cup, still fuming, and
begins to feel odd. It's as if her eyes are overflowing with strength. She concentrates
hard and considers toppling the water cup. She senses her strength reaching for the cup.
It finally falls, and the newt lands directly on Trunchbull's chest, prompting her to
scream. She rants at everyone and storms out of class, embarrassed.
9. IN CONCLUSION
• Matilda and The Trunchbull are at the center of almost all of the conflict in
Roald Dahl's novel "Matilda." Matilda opposes her parents first, then the
Trunchbull, her headmistress. With Ms. Honey's support, she overcomes
all of her obstacles and gains confidence in her powers.
Protagonist Antagonist
Matilda
Ms. Honey
Mr. & Mrs. Wormwood
The Trunchbull
