England

The novel is set in England in an unnamed village.

The Library

Matilda first walks to the library by herself when she is only four year old and it is there that she develops her love of reading and establishes a reading list of classic literature.

TV Dinners

TV Dinners are frozen meals prepared by simply cooking them in the microwave. They are intended to be quick and convenient, easy to eat in front of the television. This is what the Wormwood family has for dinner nearly every night, and the whole family really does eat in front of the TV.

Oil of Violets Hair Tonic

Oil of Violets Hair Tonic is the purple lotion Mr. Wormwood massages into his scalp every morning, thinking it makes his hair look luscious and strong. Matilda takes advantage of this ritual by sneaking her mother's hair dye into the bottle...