30 quotes
Empowerment through self-recognition and identity
Matilda
The young woman is you!
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Trunchbull's Harsh Punishment for Students
Trunchbull
Shut up! The entire school will stay another FIVE HOURS after school and copy from the dictionary! Any child who object will go straight into the Chokey... TOGETHER!
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Offering to Accompany a Friend Home
Miss Jennifer "Jenny" Honey
I'd be happy to walk her home. ]. Come on. Let's go.] Guam?
['''Zinnia''': Well, nobody will be there. We're moving to [[w:Guam|Guam]
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Frustration with School Hours
Zinnia Wormwood
Mine are driving me crazy. I'll tell ya, six hours a day of school is not enough.
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A Teacher's Love for a Special Student
Miss Jennifer "Jenny" Honey
Because she's a spectacularly wonderful child and I love her.
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Celebration of Bingo Victory at Café Le Ritz
Zinnia Wormwood
Harry! I won! I won! I hit the double bingo! Come on, everybody. I'm taking you all to Café Le Ritz.
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Embrace Your Identity and Pay Attention
Harry Wormwood
You're a Wormwood, you start acting like one! Sit up and look at the TV!
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Effort Determines Success in Shot Put
Trunchbull
The distance the shot put goes depends upon the effort you put into it! PERSPIRATION!
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Matilda's Transformation into a Stronger Self
Matilda
No more Ms. Nice Girl.
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Questioning Consequences of Parental Responsibility
Harry Wormwood
What're they gonna do? Repossess the kid?
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Legal Consequences of Unlawful Search
Matilda
I really hope you have a search warrant. According to a constitutional law book that I read in the library, if you don't have one, you could lose your job or even go to federal prison.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Hat Misunderstanding Explained by Harry Wormwood
Harry Wormwood
I did not glue my hat to my head! The hat shrunk! The fibers fused to my hair!
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Punishment for Chocolate Cake Incident
Matilda
Miss Trunchbull kept the whole school late because a boy ate some chocolate cake.
['''Harry''': Young lady, where were you?]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Lighthearted Teasing in Matilda
Matilda
Just kidding.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Harry Wormwood's Command to Melinda
Harry Wormwood
Get in the car, Melinda!
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Introducing a New Student in Class
Miss Jennifer "Jenny" Honey
Okay, listen up, everybody. Have a new student with us today. This is Matilda Wormwood. I'd like you to sit here with Lavender.
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Trunchbull's Anger and Threats to Matilda
Trunchbull
Useless flaming CAR! Wormwood! Sell me a lemon? You're heading for the Chokey, young lady! Teach you a lesson! You and your father think you can make a fool out of me! The guy with the stupid haircut! You're the spitting image! The ] never rots far from the ]!
[storms towards Matilda; drags her through the hallways; '''Matilda''': The Chokey?!; '''Matilda''': What lesson?!; '''Matilda''': My father?; '''Matilda''': I'm nothing like my father!; [apple; [tree]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confronting the Past with Confidence
Miss Jennifer "Jenny" Honey
Miss Trunchbull, I was the one who was at your house last night. I know that I-- I am not seven years old anymore, Aunt Trunchbull.
['''Miss Trunchbull''': I broke your arm once before, I can do it again, Jenny.]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Acknowledging Miss Honey's Courage
Matilda
You're very brave, Miss Honey.
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Questioning Authority and Injustice
Matilda
For what, Miss Trunchbull?
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Trunchbull Commands Immediate Assembly Attendance
Trunchbull
Hop to, hippity-hop! The entire school will go to the assembly room, immediately. Sit!
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Trunchbull's Frustration with Married Women
Trunchbull
WHY are all these women married?! Mrs. D? Mrs. I? You're supposed to be teaching spelling, not ]!
[[poetry]
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Disregarding Libraries at a Young Age
Harry Wormwood
The library? You've never set foot in a library. You're only four years old.
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Discipline and Disdain in Trunchbull's Philosophy
Trunchbull
I need a car that is inexpensive, but reliable. Can you service me? Agatha Trunchbull, principal, Crunchem Hall Elementary School. I warned you, sir. I want a tight car, because I'm on a tight ship. My school is a model of discipline. "Use the rod, beat the child". That's my motto. Do you have any brats for yourself? They're all mistakes, children. Filthy and nasty things. I'm glad I never was one. You'd better.
['''Harry''': As a matter of speaking, yes. Welcome to Wormwood Motors. Harry Wormwood, owner, founder, whatever.; '''Harry''': Oh yeah, huh? Uh…; '''Harry''': Terrific motto.; '''Harry''': Yeah, I got a boy, Mikey, and one mistake, Matilda.; '''Harry''': Uh-huh. Well, since you're an educator, I'm gonna make you a great deal.; '''Harry''': Let's do business!]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Value of Looks Over Intelligence
Zinnia Wormwood
Look, Miss Snit, a girl does not get anywhere by acting intelligent! I mean, take a look at you and me. You chose books - I chose looks. I have a nice house, a wonderful husband... and you are slaving away teaching snot-nosed children their ABCs. You want Matilda to go to college?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Verification of Truthfulness
Matilda
Check it if you don't believe me.
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Questioning the Value of Good Cars
Matilda
But don't people need good cars? Can't you sell good cars, Dad?
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Questioning Harry's Hat Adhesion
Zinnia Wormwood
I still don't see how you glued your hat on, Harry. I mean, I know you say you didn't, but obviously, you did.
[cutting off Harry's hat with scissors]
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Nostalgia and Childhood Memories
Miss Jennifer "Jenny" Honey
Photographs of my mother and father, and a beautiful doll my mother gave me with a china face. Lissy Doll, I called her. Would you like some milk?
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Harry Wormwood's Self-Confidence in the Kitchen
Harry Wormwood
I'm great. I'm incredible. Michael, pencil and paper in the kitchen.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.