The Wormwoods' Departure

Matilda

This flow traces the Wormwood family's opportunism and dishonesty to the flight that frees Matilda Wormwood from their household.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Dishonest Trade Dishonest Trade from "Matilda". Profit by Deception Mr. Wormwood boasts of using sawdust and altered odometers to sell defective cars.

Dishonest Trade from "Matilda". Profit by Deception Mr. Wormwood boasts of using sawdust and altered odometers to sell defective cars.

Profit by Deception Mr. Wormwood boasts of using sawdust and altered odometers to sell defective cars. Family Lesson He treats fraud as clever business and expects his son to learn from him. Consequence Matilda recognizes that her father's prosperity rests on harming trusting customers.

A Home Without Respect A Home Without Respect from "Matilda". Neglect at Home Mrs. Wormwood prioritizes bingo and television, while Mr. Wormwood insults Matilda and dismisses her interests.

A Home Without Respect from "Matilda". Neglect at Home Mrs. Wormwood prioritizes bingo and television, while Mr. Wormwood insults Matilda and dismisses her interests.

Neglect at Home Mrs. Wormwood prioritizes bingo and television, while Mr. Wormwood insults Matilda and dismisses her interests. Isolation The child receives neither intellectual encouragement nor dependable affection. Consequence Home becomes a place to endure rather than a source of safety.

Defiance Met with Anger Defiance Met with Anger from "Matilda". A Parent's Retaliation Mr. Wormwood tears pages from a library book because Matilda prefers reading to television.

Defiance Met with Anger from "Matilda". A Parent's Retaliation Mr. Wormwood tears pages from a library book because Matilda prefers reading to television.

A Parent's Retaliation Mr. Wormwood tears pages from a library book because Matilda prefers reading to television. Response Matilda remains quiet and begins planning another reprisal. Consequence Their conflict sharpens into a pattern in which his cruelty invites her calculated resistance.

A Sudden Flight A Sudden Flight from "Matilda". Escape from Pursuit Mr. Wormwood announces that the family will leave for Spain, with police apparently pursuing his criminal associates.

A Sudden Flight from "Matilda". Escape from Pursuit Mr. Wormwood announces that the family will leave for Spain, with police apparently pursuing his criminal associates.

Escape from Pursuit Mr. Wormwood announces that the family will leave for Spain, with police apparently pursuing his criminal associates. Urgency Matilda is ordered to go without consultation. Consequence The family’s flight threatens to separate her from the school and the first adults who value her.

Permission to Stay Permission to Stay from "Matilda". A Convenient Release Matilda asks to live with Miss Honey instead of joining the family abroad.

Permission to Stay from "Matilda". A Convenient Release Matilda asks to live with Miss Honey instead of joining the family abroad.

A Convenient Release Matilda asks to live with Miss Honey instead of joining the family abroad. Agreement Her parents agree quickly, focused on catching their flight. Consequence Their indifference becomes the opening through which Matilda secures a stable home.

Before Matilda starts school

Matilda's early childhood

After the destroyed library book

The evening after Matilda's power fades

Minutes before the car departs