He has the honesty to say he has only bought two bars and does not want to follow the crowd in this new "chocolatemania". Yet in the film adaptation Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, where Charlie finds himself in the most awful social stigma, where his classmates who have bought so many more chocolate bars appear to be more affluent, the protagonist shows yet another quality: courage. Now, I am aware that cynics may argue that it is a rather oversimplified view of education. Notwithstanding that and the fact that a ‘successful education’ can be defined in so many ways, if I were to narrow it down to having a successful set of qualifications and the determination to work hard underpinned with honesty, I would say this is an opportunity that should be afforded to all. If ever education was to be defined as the perfect opportunity for self-improvement, social mobility and positive lifechanging outcomes for households, I would compare this to the Golden Ticket.įinding the Golden Ticket is akin to finding the opportunity to be successful in school. I take this as a never-give-up approach and extend this with the dignity shown in Dahl’s screenplay, which focuses more on Charlie’s act of mindfulness of spending for others rather than himself – buying bread for the family rather than for himself is an act of generosity that should be acknowledged as very commendable.īoth resilience and generosity are skills much needed in the students of today and the future. His determination not to give up and take every opportunity that comes his way as a step towards betterment is a skill in itself: resilience.ĭespite the challenges of low income, unemployment and near starvation, the family pull together in the hope of a better future. Resilience and hopeĬharlie Bucket has all his potential yet to be fulfilled.
So for this Roald Dahl Day, let me tell you why I think it's a story that remains as relevant as ever and what it can teach us about education and its role in all children's lives. For me, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is more than a book: it is a story of hope, inspiration, aspiration, a journey of social mobility – and one of justice, too.
0 kommentar(er)
