The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives.
Roald DahlRead
I am only 8 years old, I told myself. No little boy of 8 has ever murdered anyone. It's not possible.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the innocence of childhood and the conflict of understanding morality at a young age.
In this quote, Roald Dahl captures the internal struggle of a young boy grappling with the concept of murder and morality. The child, at merely eight years old, believes that it's impossible for someone of his age to commit such an act, highlighting the innocence and naivety of youth as well as the harsh realities of the world that can shatter that innocence.
Themes
InnocenceChildhoodMoralityConflictViolence
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the loss of childhood innocence in literature.
More from Roald Dahl
All quotes βMatilda said, "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it's unbelievable.
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I asked my mum, who's a very clever psychotherapist, and she says that kids love stories about death; they need it, they need to have stories that deal with death and explain it, as a place to put their fears.
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By the time I am nearing the end of a story, the first part will have been reread and altered and corrected at least one hundred and fifty times. I am suspicious of both facility and speed. Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this.
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You seemed so far away," Miss Honey whispered, awestruck. "Oh, I was. I was flying past the stars on silver wings," Matilda said. "It was wonderful.
Roald DahlRead
If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.
Roald DahlRead
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