Matilda the Musical: Write a Role Model

Most characters nowadays only represent different moral shades of gray. They’re often heartbroken, bloodthirsty, or constantly acting on some deeper, darker motive. Even if a wise mentor does happen to appear, they are usually portrayed as a crusty old hermit who points the protagonist in the right direction and does nothing more. Recent stories have forgotten to include a role model — someone who stands for something purely and beautifully good. 

We need more characters that stand for something, that aren’t compromised by greed or dark desires, but are able to stand as a beacon of hope for all. That doesn’t mean they don’t wrestle with darkness, or that they happen to be perfect in every way. Instead, they are far, far more than that. 

And here to show you how is the musical rendition of Roald Dahl’s iconic children’s story, Matilda.

Matilda: The Musical

When a little girl, named Matilda, is born, her parents absolutely despise her. They treat her horribly, if they bother to pay attention to her at all, and refuse to take care of her. Because of this, Matilda learns very quickly how to take care of herself and becomes independent at a very young age. 

She teaches herself how to read by the age of three, begins walking herself to the library by age four, and soon enough is able to understand books very few adults even bother to pick up anymore. As she begins to read more and more, Matilda learns the concepts of justice and revenge, which eventually inspire her to pull numerous pranks on her parents as punishment for mistreating.

By the time she turns six, her parents are fed up and decide to send her off to school. Matilda is elated by the idea, until she discovers that her new school is run by a wicked headmistress named Miss Trunchbull. Miss Trunchbull hates children even more than Matilda’s parents hate her, and she’s certainly harder to prank. She marches through the halls, reprimanding any child who steps out of line, and if the headmistress happens to be in a particularly bad mood that day, she throws innocent students into a terrifying torture device.

Matilda knows she has to do something about all of this. She hates to see her favorite teacher, all of her peers, and herself be controlled by a vicious tyrant. With no other adult able or willing to defeat the Trunchbull, Matilda takes things into her own hands. 

This little girl ends up leading a revolution. She rallies all the students, and with a little unexpected help from magic, Matilda successfully scares away the Trunchbull and reinstates her favorite teacher as the headmistress.

How To Create A Positive Role Model

When I say the words ‘positive role model’, a certain image probably pops into your head. Maybe you see a white-bearded man with a back as curved as his character arc is flat. Maybe you picture a stoic prophetess who only speaks in vague proverbs. 

Or, maybe, just maybe, you see this six-year-old school girl.

The last one doesn’t seem to fit, right? She’s not typically who you’d picture to be a good role model, either to your characters or your readers. But, in reality, Matilda is one of the best role models out there.

Matilda is the story of a girl who didn’t give up. Even when her parents were nasty to her, when the principal was even worse to her, Matilda stood up for what was right and handled the problem better than most adults could have. 

However, just because Matilda stood up for something, doesn’t mean that she was completely devoid of internal conflict or personality. She is full of child-like joy and curiosity. And although Matilda inspires a horde of revolting children, she also learns that two wrongs don’t make a right. In the beginning she is set on revenge, but by the end she realizes the importance of kindness as well.

Many people, both old and young, have been moved by this story. Seeing a little girl fight for what is right in a fallen world is powerful. It’s not the same when a shady YA heroine defeats the misunderstood villain with more questionable forces, because there is no longer anyone to root for. If all your characters are a complicated mess of gray, then who can your readers cheer on?

I am certainly not saying that these kind of characters are completely evil. They can add plenty of depth and meaning into your story, but there just can’t be too much of them. Anti-heroes can only make an impact for so long.

Instead, resonate with your readers by giving your character something to stand for. As Eliza in the musical Hamilton stood for forgiveness, or how every Spider-man ever always gets back up, have your character represent something they believe in. Don’t let them accept every punch from life. Have them throw a few as well. 

And they don’t have to be some elderly man, either. Positive role models can be anyone, from an average citizen of England, to a courageous super hero, all the way to a family of cartoon dogs. 

Let your character grow, but also have them represent the truth. Give them intense beliefs, a reason to stand up and fight back even when things are looking bleak, but don’t forget to keep their fun personality as well. Make them a shining, immovable beacon that will both encourage other characters and shine a bit of light into the reader’s world as well. Give your story a positive role model that children and adults alike will be able to look up to for years to come.

Let us know in the comments:

What is your favorite literary role model? Do you plan on including a role model in your book?