by is a 1988 children's novel set in a small English village. The narrative focuses on one little girl and her extraordinary life. Matilda Wormwood is a precocious child and is also highly intelligent. However, she is often misunderstood and mistreated by her neglectful parents. At school, Matilda has to face the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull. The girl loathes the way this headmistress rules the student body with fear and cruelty. However, Matilda is lucky enough to have a kind teacher, Miss Honey. This teacher provides solace by recognizing and fostering Matilda’s talents.
This classic novel champions the power of individuality, intelligence, and justice, resonating deeply with readers who may feel out of place or undervalued in society as it encourages young readers to stand up against unfair treatment. Below are 30+ Matilda quotes amplifying the novel's message that kindness and courage can triumph over adversity.
The Best Matilda Quotes About the Value of Reading and Education
"All the reading she had done had given her a view of life that they had never seen."
"And don't worry about the bits you can't understand. Sit back and allow the words to wash around you, like music."
"'Do you think that all children's books ought to have funny bits in them?' Miss Honey asked. 'I do,' Matilda said. 'Children are not so serious as grown-ups and love to laugh.'"
'"I'm wondering what to read next,' Matilda said. 'I've finished all the children's books.'"
"So Matilda's strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea."
"There is little point in teaching anything backwards. The whole object of life, Headmistress, is to go forwards."
"There's nothin' you can get from a book that you can't get from a television fastah!"
"'In a book from the library,' Matilda said. 'And that means it goes so fast that you can't even hear the separate beats. It must sound like a buzz.'"
"'We don't hold with book-reading,' Mr. Wormwood said. 'You can't make a living from sitting on your fanny and reading story-books.'"
"'Did you know,' Matilda said suddenly, 'that the heart of a mouse beats at the rate of six hundred and fifty times a second?'"
"The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives."
The Best Matilda Quotes About the Critique of Society and Norms
"'A book?! What d'you wanna flaming book for?... We've got a lovely telly with a 12-inch screen, and now ya wanna book!'"
