Matilda and Miss Trunchbull

Matilda

This relationship flow traces the escalation between Matilda Wormwood and Miss Trunchbull from inherited suspicion to a final contest over truth and justice.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Suspicion Before Meeting Suspicion Before Meeting from "Matilda". A Child Condemned in Advance Miss Trunchbull believes Mr. Wormwood’s claim that Matilda is a troublesome child before meeting her.

Suspicion Before Meeting from "Matilda". A Child Condemned in Advance Miss Trunchbull believes Mr. Wormwood’s claim that Matilda is a troublesome child before meeting her.

A Child Condemned in Advance Miss Trunchbull believes Mr. Wormwood’s claim that Matilda is a troublesome child before meeting her. Prejudice She even blames Matilda for a classroom stink without evidence. Consequence The headmistress approaches the pupil as an enemy rather than a child to understand.

The Father's Fraud Invites Retaliation

A Conflict Made Personal Miss Trunchbull discovers that Mr. Wormwood sold her a defective car and directs her anger at Matilda. Misplaced Blame She treats the child as responsible for her father’s conduct. Consequence A family grievance intensifies a school relationship already built on suspicion.

The Salamander Accusation The Salamander Accusation from "Matilda". An Innocent Pupil Condemned After the salamander appears, Miss Trunchbull accuses Matilda and threatens to ruin her schooling.

The Salamander Accusation from "Matilda". An Innocent Pupil Condemned After the salamander appears, Miss Trunchbull accuses Matilda and threatens to ruin her schooling.

An Innocent Pupil Condemned After the salamander appears, Miss Trunchbull accuses Matilda and threatens to ruin her schooling. Injustice Matilda had not placed the creature in the jug. Consequence The false accusation breaks through Matilda’s usual restraint and brings her power into play.

The First Reversal The First Reversal from "Matilda". The Accused Acts Matilda uses telekinesis to spill the glass over Miss Trunchbull, though she does not yet understand the ability.

The First Reversal from "Matilda". The Accused Acts Matilda uses telekinesis to spill the glass over Miss Trunchbull, though she does not yet understand the ability.

The Accused Acts Matilda uses telekinesis to spill the glass over Miss Trunchbull, though she does not yet understand the ability. Public Challenge The headmistress loses control of the moment and cannot prove who caused it. Consequence Matilda discovers that the adult’s physical dominance is not absolute.

The Chalk's Demand The Chalk's Demand from "Matilda". Justice Invades the Classroom Matilda makes the chalk write a demand in Marcus’s name, connecting Miss Trunchbull’s authority to her past wrongdoing.

The Chalk's Demand from "Matilda". Justice Invades the Classroom Matilda makes the chalk write a demand in Marcus’s name, connecting Miss Trunchbull’s authority to her past wrongdoing.

Justice Invades the Classroom Matilda makes the chalk write a demand in Marcus’s name, connecting Miss Trunchbull’s authority to her past wrongdoing. Defeat The message causes the headmistress to faint and soon disappear. Consequence The conflict ends not through physical force but through exposure of the injustice she tried to conceal.

Before Miss Trunchbull enters Matilda's classroom

During the first Thursday lesson

During Miss Trunchbull's next class

At the overturning of the glass

During the later classroom confrontation