How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"The Chokey," Hortensia went on, "is a very tall but very narrow cupboard. The floor is only ten inches square so you can't sit down or squat in it. You have to stand. And three of the walls are made of cement with bits of broken glass sticking out all over, so you can't lean against them. You have to stand more or less at attention all the time when you get locked up in there. It's terrible." (10.11)
Um, this is just terrifying. Also, illegal. Seriously, kids, if your headmistress ever tries to put you in the Chokey, head for the nearest phone and call the cops. Hopefully, at the end of the novel, the Trunchbull will find herself in a cell all her own.
Quote #5
"He wouldn't [believe you]," Matilda said. "And the reason is obvious. Your story would sound too ridiculous to be believed. And that is the Trunchbull's great secret."
"What is?" Lavender asked.
Matilda 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. No parent is going to believe this pigtail story, not in a million years. Mine wouldn't. They'd call me a liar." (11.4-6)
Oh so that's why the Trunchbull gets away with her outrageous abuse. She can use punishments like The Chokey to imprison kids because she knows no one would believe the youngsters if they ever complained.
Quote #6
"You are disgusting!" the Trunchbull bellowed. "You are a walking germ-factory! I don't wish to see any more of you today! Go and stand in the corner on one leg with your face to the wall!" (13.30)
Oh now there's a fair punishment. Didn't wash your hands? Go stand on one leg. The Trunchbull seems to get some sort of sick pleasure from trapping kids in various gnarly situations.