October 18, 2003
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Right or Wrong, growing up I felt like Roald Dahl’s character, Matilda. Naturally, I don’t think my mother and father would be pleased with that assessment. I suppose lots of children feel misunderstood. I always knew my parents loved me, in their way. It just felt like a bad fit…like the reason it didn’t work was that I was the wrong person for the position. If you’ve read the book or seen the movie, you’ll understand when I say that I had my fair share of Miss Honeys. I also had a few Trunchbulls.
I guess what seems Wrong can really be the Right thing. Matilda would never have developed her powers if she’d been born to Miss Honey, and in the end, they were that much happier, that much richer, for having been pushed to fullfil their potential.
Comments (20)
I sometimes wonder what downtrodden character MY children will associate with their childhoods. ::shivvvvver::
I used to love books and stories about orphans.
this is all from my perspective, of course. I was probably a little SHIT to live with.
So true. We wouldn’t. I never minded not being understood by my parents. I minded being treated like a leper.
It’s ironic, isn’t it? I mean, I’m bitter about some of the things I went through with my parents. (In the case of my dad, a lot of things.) But some of those things helped create something out of me that I’m kinda glad about. Eh, who knows.
*L* When I was a kid reading that book I totally thought I was Matilda
I still AM Matilda (and I have magical powers, too–didja know that?). Bean thinks she’s Matilda, too…leave it to Dahl to create a multigenerational role model for little girls who kicks serious ass, huh?
I think we have much in common here and there…
I’m just glad I made it out alive, so I could become the better person all that hardship gave me the choice to be, if that makes sense. Kind of a precarious tightrope walk.
I try to remember my parents love me, they just weren’t always that good at it.
and that is very sweet, about the babygirl and the butterfly… I could send you another one to stick on the box? I think I have a few more. Let me know
If there’s a child understood by his/her parents I’d say he/she is living on another planet. My parents came from another planet. Didn’t everyone’s?
I felt the same way, especially after my mom died…but Miss Honey has always known the right time to come into my life. Thank god for her excellent sense of timing.
-M
dahl’s best book was the witches
Interesting insights.
Parents and their children….opposite ends of the spectrum at times ….
hmm… not sure how i’ve managed NOT to read this one. i’m gonna have to run to the bookstore…
Amazing how family life works or doesn’t.
I haven’t seen the movie or read the book, but I can still see your appreciation for what has brought you to who you are now
Peace & Harmony, merr
I loved that book!
Loved all of Dahl’s books.
It’s sad, satori. All the bright and wonderful people I know grew up believing they’re distorted, one way or another. I don’t know if Trout is right, this time. I think he- and others, turned out to be what they are despite of, and not because of. You look so sweet, reserved and coy in those photographs, and so sad, too.
xox