Introduction
This presentation explores the essential background and analysis of renowned British author Roald Dahl’s popular children’s tales and adult fiction. Over the next series of slides, we will dig into critical biographical details, reoccurring themes, and summaries of Dahl’s major works and curricular connections of scientific, mathematical, and sociological dimensions of Dahl’s writing.
Biographical Details
Roald Dahl was born in 1916 in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian immigrant parents (Steensma & Kyle, 2020). His father, Harald, died when Roald was just three, leaving his mother, Soe, to raise him and his sisters. Dahl’s childhood included summers visiting his grandparents in Norway, where his mother shared traditional Norwegian myths and legends that later inspired some of Dahl’s fantastical works (Steensma & Kyle, 2020). As a young boy, Dahl was sent to English boarding schools, where he endured abuse and cruelty from older students and staff (Steensma & Kyle, 2020). This likely informed his later focus on themes of fairness and triumph over villainous authority figures. During WWII, Dahl trained as a fighter pilot with the Royal Air Force, where he flew combat missions before suffering severe injuries in a plane crash (Steensma & Kyle, 2020). While recovering from his wounds, Dahl began writing short stories for adults that were published in magazines. His first children’s book, The Gremlins, was published in 1943. In 1953, Dahl married American actress Patricia Neal, with whom he had five children (Steensma & Kyle, 2020)
Analysis of Roald Dahl’s Works
Dahl’s stories for children are typically narrated from the perspective of a child protagonist. They often feature adult antagonists who mistreat and hate children, balanced by at least one “good” adult character (Vladyková, 2006). According to Vladyková (2006), this may reference Dahl’s own childhood experiences of abuse at boarding schools. His books focus on the triumph of children over adversity. For instance, Dahl’s book Matilda (1988) focuses on the extraordinary journey of a young girl who uses her genius intellect and magical skills to defend herself and her friends against abusive adults like her parents and tyrannical school headmistress (Pope & Round, 2015). Dahl had a talent for appealing to children’s imaginations and fears (Vladyková, 2006). His adult characters are drawn in vivid, terrifying detail before being exposed as hypocrites and brought down by magic or clever children. Though playful, his stories blend darkly comic and sometimes violent scenarios. Books like The Witches, George’s Marvellous Medicine, and Matilda exemplify this formula, with good children defeating evil adult enemies (Tümer, 2009; Henfridsson, 2008).
Themes that are Common Throughout
One of the central themes across Dahl’s body of children’s literature is championing virtue and goodness, often represented by an innocent child protagonist who demonstrates resilience, courage, and a solid moral compass when facing cruel or abusive enemies (Vladyková, 2006). For instance, Charlie Bucket, Matilda, Sophie (in The BFG), and James (in James and the Giant Peach) all illustrate these qualities of kindness, responsibility, and determination, which allow them to conquer greed, exploitation, or other forms of evil (Tümer, 2009; Henfridsson, 2008).
Additionally, many of Dahl’s narratives underscore themes of friendship and loyalty, with their virtuous central characters banding together and depending on peers for support when facing adversity (Tümer, 2009; Henfridsson, 2008). For instance, two generations unite in The Witches through the boy protagonist and his grandmother’s shared mission to defeat the Grand High Witch (Tümer, 2009). Dahl suggests that understanding across generations is vital and that vulnerable groups can only protect themselves and work for the greater good by sticking together.
Display and description of at least two books
Matilda
Matilda is a children’s novel written by beloved British author Roald Dahl. It was first published in 1988 by Jonathan Cape in London and illustrated by Dahl’s frequent collaborator, Quentin Blake (Pope & Round, 2015). The book contains 240 pages. Matilda tells the story of a gifted young girl named Matilda Wormwood. Despite her young age, Matilda is able to solve complex multiplication problems and loves reading classic literature like Charles Dickens (Pope & Round, 2015). However, her insensitive parents and older brother, Michael, fail to appreciate her brilliance. At school, Matilda’s classmates are impressed with her intelligence, but she is constantly bullied by the cruel headmistress (Miss Trunchbull Pope & Round, 2015). Fortunately, Matilda finds solace in her kindhearted teacher, Miss Honey. With Miss Honey’s support, Matilda taps into her inner strength and uses her powers creatively, like playing pranks on her family and Miss Trunchbull.
The Witches
The Witches is a fantasy children’s novel by Roald Dahl published in 1983. It contains 201 pages and is illustrated by Dahl’s longtime collaborator, Quentin Blake (Eddy, 2020). The story follows an unnamed young boy and his grandmother on vacation to England. The grandmother reveals that witches are real and pose a threat to children everywhere. While at a hotel, the boy discovers the Grand High Witch holding a meeting with witches from all over England (Eddy, 2020). The witches are plotting to get rid of children by turning them into mice. The boy and his grandmother devise a clever plan to sneak into the witch meeting and turn the witches into mice instead.
Ways to connect the author’s work to math, science, or social studies
According to Tümer (2009), analyzing characters in Dahl’s work provides a connection to social issues. For example, social hierarchies and power dynamics in Dahl’s work, such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda,” provide significant insight into social studies issues such as child abuse, systemic oppression, and civil disobedience (Henfridsson, 2008). Besides, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” provides mathematical insight related to probability, geometry, and estimating dimensions or measurements. Reading riddles and puzzles in “The BFG” and “Danny, the Champion of the World” can improve critical thinking and problem-solving. From a scientific viewpoint, Dahl’s stories provide contexts to understand different scientific phenomena. For example, in “George’s Marvellous Medicine,” the character George invented medicine (Henfridsson, 2008). This could improve critical thinking and scientific understanding.
Culminating Activities
A Candy Competition
One way to celebrate Dahl’s work is by hosting a candy competition or fun activity based on his book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Students could design sweets or candies in their groups, drawing inspiration from Dahl’s Dontello’s nutty choco-clusters and other methods highlighted in Dahl’s book. Besides, groups could develop product flyers, including ingredients and packaging.
Dramatizing a Scene
Students can perform scenes from “The Twits,” “The Witches,” or “James and the Giant Peach.” Learners could first review stories, discussing settings, characters, and plot points. Small groups then select and rehearse, acting out a memorable episode, incorporating elements like props, costumes, and Dahl’s distinctive dialogue.
Conclusion
Millions adore Roald Dahl’s writings. Besides, as evidenced across areas from sociology to mathematics, Dahl’s literary inventions will inspire wide-ranging academic inquiries for generations. However, his most incredible legacy remains those plainspoken life lessons about courage, justice, and unconditional love.
References
Eddy. (2020, May 21). The Witches by Roald Dahl [Review of the book The Witches, by R. Dahl]. Storm Squad. https://stoomio.com/the-witches-by-roald-dahl/
Furner, J. M. (2018). Using Children’s Literature to Teach Mathematics: An Effective Vehicle in a STEM World. European Journal of STEM Education, 3(3), 14. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1190705.pdf
Henfridsson, H. (2008). A thematic analysis of Roald Dahl’s adult fiction.https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1026931/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Pope, J., & Round, J. (2015). Children’s responses to heroism in Roald Dahl’s Matilda. Children’s Literature in Education, 46, 257-277. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10583-014-9233-z
Steensma, D. P., & Kyle, R. A. (2020, November). Roald Dahl: Children’s Book Author, Medical Device Inventor, Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patient, and Philanthropisthttps://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0025-6196%2820%2931106-X
Tümer, İ. (2009). Analysing Roald Dahl’s works for children as a means of social criticism
Vladyková, D. (2006). Roald Dahl-the reflection of his life experience in his short stories. https://dspace.cuni.cz/handle/20.500.11956/2843
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