Storytelling of Food in Roald Dahl’s Novels

Abstract

Food is one of the recurring themes in literature. Books for both adults and children show the importance of food, which is a vehicle to deliver the texts’ meanings and values. To reveal the inseparable relationship between food and culture, this study chooses two works by Roald Dahl: Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In this study, the function and meaning of food in children’s literature is explored to disclose what effect it has on children’s growing into adults. Themes of growth and socialization are regarded as connecting dots between children’s literature and food. In this vein, as one of the dominant factors, food plays a pivotal role for children to build their ideal self-images. In Dahl’s texts, chocolate, for instance, refers to self-autonomy and the search for a genuine identity. In particular, chocolate is a signifier that shows the relationship between parent and child. In Matilda, chocolate functions as an important food for nurturing her mind when reading books. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, chocolate functions to rebuild their relationship and reinforce identities as a forbidden food or favorite sweetmeat. In addition, like food, space is connected to children’s growth; particularly basing on the relationship to adults. Accordingly, this study explores how Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory depict the proper socialization of children by analyzing the meaning and function of food.