When we were children, we all had dreams and hopes beyond the ‘ordinary.’ All little children do because they’re free to dream. No limitations have been planted into their young brains. They are still innocent. We can recover that innocence—it’s what’s commonly known as connecting with our inner child. That is an important part of our evolving process: recovering what we lost on the way, and returning to innocence—only this time, having attained wisdom as well.
One of the books that can help us return to innocence—and go beyond—is “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. Here are a few things we can learn from this story:
Greed won’t get you into the factory of your dreams
Veruca Salt is the girl who wants it all, and she wants it now! And her family gives it to her, just because they can afford it. She’s the portrait of selfishness and rudeness, showing zero patience. She thinks only of herself and will throw an epic fit if she can’t have everything she wants immediately.
Probably we all know someone like this in our lives, in some form or manifestation. It’s quite interesting, though, that it’s more common to find grown-up ‘Verucas’ than child ones. We see them every day in big positions of power or as the classic ‘Prima Donna’ (both female and male). These types are quickly kicked away from Willy Wonka’s paradise factory. Too greedy!
Gluttony is too spoilt for Willy Wonka’s taste
Augustus Gloop is a fat kid who is constantly complaining of being hungry. Due to his excessive and compulsive eating, he can’t truly appreciate the taste and quality of Willy Wonka’s creations. Instead of listening to Willy Wonka’s advice, he just goes straight for the big temptation of the chocolate river, falling into it and contaminating the factory in the process.
Impulsive, excessive people often end up ruining their best opportunities and rarest chances to enjoy something special. They are often the first to leave the paradise of joy, simply because if someone cannot appreciate good things, they don’t really deserve them.
Arrogance won’t get you into the chocolate paradise either…
Violet Beauregard is arrogance in its purest state. Violet is constantly bragging about herself and the things she’s accomplished, and she’s thirsty for more of this empty success. We see this behaviour in many people nowadays, and again, it’s more common to see teens/adults showing this attitude rather than children, as they pursue empty goals and waste their lives in the process. As the story shows, this kind of behaviour is far from acceptable within the realms of Willy Wonka’s factory.
Distractions will make you miss out on the NOW
Mike Teavee is obsessed with watching TV—this could even apply to nowadays ‘screen society,’ which is nothing else but the evolution of the TV addiction of decades ago. Mike even prefers to keep watching TV while he’s being interviewed after winning one of the only five golden tickets. Instead of living in the moment—he was one of the five fortunate ones—he kept telling everyone to shut up so he can keep watching a TV show. Not paying attention to the present moment, is not allowed in the paradise of the Here and Now that is the chocolate factory, so he, too, ends up in trouble. So many people end up in trouble when they’re too distracted—merely by missing out on the best opportunities right in front of their eyes. So let’s look away from that smartphone once in a while!
Bad parenting makes children bratty
Notice that none of these kids’ parents aren’t doing anything about their children’s issues. On the contrary, they’re promoting these behaviours. Augustus’s parents keep feeding him whatever he likes, teaching him that it’s okay and good to get overweight and be addicted to food. Violet’s parents encourage her to win more competitions, teaching her that all that is valuable in life is being “the best” and seeking attention. Veruca’s parents give her everything she demands, turning her into a little dictator who throws fits whenever life doesn’t go her way. Mike’s parents let him watch as much TV as he likes without even trying to help him stop his addiction. These four kids are going to grow up to be really messed up adults, missing out on the things that truly matter in life. They will be so trapped inside their own issues and troubled little worlds, that they just won’t see the big picture. Their paradise on Earth. Their only chance to visit the chocolate factory—or the magic of friendship, a beautiful sunset, or the joy of living in general.
Wishing for it hard enough WILL get you there—if only you try once more
Charlie, having been born into a poor family and having to take care of his family from a very young age, hasn’t let his desires corrupt him. He does have his faults, but he still knows what’s right. Charlie’s grandfather has always taught his grandson to have hope, to believe that things won’t always be as bad as they are, to wish hard enough to make his dreams come true. He has taught him to be generous, to share, to be kind, and all of this eventually pays off when Charlie finds the last golden ticket when he had already lost hope.
When thinking of leaving your legacy, look for innocence
Willy Wonka represents the eccentric dreamer, and perhaps even karma itself, testing the children, giving his ultimate good to the righteous, and kicking all the selfish kids out.
However, it’s only when Charlie doesn’t keep the gum and proves his true good intentions, that he reveals the most amazing magic and surprises he was keeping for the one he was waiting for, proving Charlie right in his idea that wishing things hard enough can get you there.
