Character Relationship Map: Matilda

Characters

• Matilda Wormwood (played by Mara Wilson) — protagonist

  Telekinetic prodigy who overcomes neglectful parents and a tyrannical principal through intellect.

• Harry Wormwood / Narrator (played by Danny DeVito) — protagonist

  Corrupt car dealer and neglectful father whose schemes create early family conflict.

• Miss Honey (played by Embeth Davidtz) — supporting

  Kind teacher who recognizes Matilda's genius and becomes her guardian.

• Roy (played by R.D. Robb) — supporting

  FBI agent investigating Harry's illegal car business operations.

• Agatha Trunchbull (played by Pam Ferris) — supporting

  Tyrannical school principal who abuses students and hides dark secrets.

• FBI Agent (played by Tracey Walter) — supporting

  Law enforcement officer monitoring Harry's criminal activities.

• Hortensia (played by Kira Spencer Hesser) — minor

  Older student warning Matilda about Trunchbull and the Chokey.

• Magnus (played by Mark Watson) — minor

  Miss Honey's deceased father whose tragic past is revealed.

• Bruce Bogtrotter (played by Jimmy Karz) — minor

  Overweight student forced to eat a giant cake by Trunchbull.

• Lavender (played by Kiami Davael) — minor

  Matilda's loyal friend who places a newt in Trunchbull's jug.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Harry Wormwood / Narrator → Agatha Trunchbull (Professional Business Client) — A corrupt business transaction links Matilda's family to the school authority.

  Harry sells a car to Trunchbull in exchange for admitting Matilda as a student.

• Agatha Trunchbull → Bruce Bogtrotter (Power Abusive Authority) — Trunchbull uses institutional power to publicly humiliate and punish Bruce.

  At the school assembly, Trunchbull forces Bruce to eat a large chocolate cake as punishment for stealing a piece of hers.

• Agatha Trunchbull → Matilda Wormwood (Professional Principal) — A formal school hierarchy that becomes a major source of oppression.

  Trunchbull is the principal of Crunchem Hall, where Matilda enrolls as a student.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Hortensia → Agatha Trunchbull (Conflict Former Victim) — Hortensia's warning reflects her opposition to Trunchbull's abusive regime.

  Hortensia warns Matilda about Trunchbull's practice of throwing students out windows and locking them in the Chokey.

• Magnus → Agatha Trunchbull (Narrative Deceased Opponent) — Magnus's memory becomes the symbolic force challenging Trunchbull's control.

  Matilda's supernatural message claims to represent Magnus and orders Trunchbull to return Miss Honey's house and money.

• Matilda Wormwood → Magnus (Narrative Impersonator) — Matilda invokes Magnus's memory to frighten Trunchbull and help Miss Honey.

  Matilda poses as the vengeful spirit of Magnus while using telekinesis at Trunchbull's house.

• Matilda Wormwood → FBI Agent (Conflict Opponent) — Matilda briefly resists the federal agents during the garage search.

  Matilda uses telekinesis against the FBI agents when they search the garage without a warrant.

• Matilda Wormwood → Roy (Conflict Opponent) — Matilda temporarily obstructs Roy's investigation to protect her family.

  Matilda uses her telekinetic powers to drive away the FBI agents searching the Wormwood garage without a warrant.

• Roy → FBI Agent (Alliance Colleague) — They function as members of the same federal investigation.

  Roy and another FBI Agent are both described as investigators monitoring Harry's illegal dealings.

• Harry Wormwood / Narrator → FBI Agent (Conflict Investigation Subject) — Harry is the target of federal surveillance and evidence gathering.

  The plot states that FBI agents monitor Harry over stolen car parts and deceptive car sales.

• Harry Wormwood / Narrator → Roy (Conflict Investigation Subject) — Roy's investigation threatens Harry's criminal business and eventual escape plan.

  Roy is identified as an FBI agent investigating Harry's illegal car business operations.

• Matilda Wormwood → Bruce Bogtrotter (Social Schoolmate) — They are connected through the student community oppressed by Trunchbull.

  Bruce is a student at the same school where Matilda studies, and his punishment occurs before the wider student resistance to Trunchbull.

• Hortensia → Matilda Wormwood (Alliance Warning Source) — Hortensia gives Matilda useful information about surviving the school.

  Hortensia warns Matilda about Trunchbull's abusive disciplinary methods and the Chokey.

• Lavender → Agatha Trunchbull (Conflict Prankster Opponent) — Lavender retaliates against Trunchbull through a deliberate school prank.

  Lavender places a newt in Trunchbull's water jug as payback for the principal's abuse.

• Matilda Wormwood → Lavender (Social Friend) — Lavender becomes Matilda's loyal school friend and helps oppose Trunchbull.

  The plot states that Matilda befriends Lavender after arriving at school.

Story Analysis

A neglected child uses intelligence, friendship, and telekinesis to overcome abusive authority and find a loving home.

Plot Progression

1. A Child Among Books — Matilda is neglected by her family but finds comfort and independence in the public library. Her retaliatory tricks and emerging telekinetic ability expose the intensity of the home conflict.
2. The School of Fear — Harry's bargain sends Matilda to Crunchem Hall, where Lavender and Hortensia warn her about Trunchbull. Miss Honey recognizes Matilda's intelligence, but the principal refuses to help her advance.
3. Punishment and Secrets — Trunchbull humiliates Bruce and confines Matilda in the Chokey. Miss Honey then reveals the family history connecting Trunchbull, Magnus, the house, and her own childhood abuse.
4. The House Strikes Back — Matilda develops control over her telekinesis and disrupts both the FBI garage search and Trunchbull's control of the family home. She uses Magnus's image to frighten Trunchbull.
5. Children Claim the School — Matilda writes a supernatural demand on the blackboard and protects the students when Trunchbull attacks. The children unite against her, and Trunchbull flees.
6. A Chosen Home — Miss Honey becomes the new principal and Matilda's guardian. Harry signs the adoption papers, allowing Matilda to remain with the person who understands and supports her.