Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Vice and Virtue
Parenting
Poverty and Wealth
Fun, Absurdity, and Wonder
Prejudice and Bigotry
Summary
Analysis
Charlie enters the shop and asks for another Wonka bar like the one he had for his birthday. The fat man behind the counter hands Charlie his bar, and Charlie immediately rips it open. He shoves huge bites in his mouth, savoring the rich chocolate. The shopkeeper tells Charlie to be careful he doesn’t get a stomachache as he gives Charlie his change. Charlie finishes his chocolate in less than 30 seconds and is extremely happy. But as he reaches for his change—nine dimes—he decides that it wouldn’t hurt to buy one more bar, and he asks the shopkeeper for another.
Charlie is indulging himself here, but given how poor and hungry he is, the novel frames his indulgence as a good thing. The chocolate bar fills Charlie up and makes him truly happy and satisfied for the first time in a long time. The shopkeeper also demonstrates care and kindness by warning Charlie against a stomachache.
Themes
The shopkeeper hands Charlie another bar and as Charlie starts to unwrap it, he sees gold. The shopkeeper screams that Charlie found the last Golden Ticket. Within moments, a crowd of people gathers around Charlie. Everyone wants to see Charlie and his ticket, and one boy spits that it’s not fair that Charlie found it when the boy has been buying 20 bars per day for weeks. Charlie stays still, clutching the Golden Ticket, as people approach him and talk about him. He feels a bit like he’s floating.
Once again, Charlie’s life changes in an instant. Now, he’s going to be able to see Mr. Wonka’s factory—something he’s dreamed of doing for years. But while Charlie may have gotten this opportunity because of luck, the boy who insists it’s not fair proposes that this kind of opportunity should only be available to those who can pay.
Themes
After a minute, a man puts a hand on Charlie’s shoulder and in a whisper, offers Charlie $50 and a new bicycle for the Golden Ticket. Another woman offers Charlie $500. The shopkeeper tells the adults to leave Charlie alone and ushers Charlie to the door. He whispers to Charlie to run home and keep ahold of his ticket. Charlie nods. The shopkeeper stands up, smiles, and says that Charlie looks like he needed a break like this—he’s glad Charlie got it. Charlie thanks the man and races home. When he passes Mr. Wonka’s factory, he waves and sings that he’ll see Mr. Wonka soon.
The shopkeeper essentially suggests that Charlie deserves to have something good—like finding the Golden Ticket—happen to him. It’s apparent to outsiders like this man that Charlie is virtuous and therefore deserving of happiness. But other people, like those who offer Charlie money, send the message that a person’s worthiness is tied to their wealth rather than their morality or merit—what they can pay for this experience is what makes them worthy of it.
Themes
