Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a movie based on musical fantasy produced in 2005 and directed by Tim Burton. The screenplay was adapted from the 1964 British book written by Roald Dahi. The story portrays Charlie Bucket, a likable and well-behaved child who wins a contest, and is Willy Wonka, who reopens a chocolate company and gives a tour inside in order to award a special prize for one of five contestants. Compared to other children, Charlie lives in a poor house with the family that has not been spoiled by lavish lifestyle. The gripping plot of the topics for argumentative essays is metaphoric and concerns important themes. Interpreting their meaning allows a better understanding of the movie.
Plot Summary
Charlie Bucket is a patient small young boy whose family languishes in poverty. They live near Wonka’s chocolate factory which is located down the street. The director of this company has announced a contest confirming that those who find hidden five Golden Tickets in the chocolate bars will be able to enjoy a tour of the facility and to win an unknown grand prize. Four tickets are hurriedly found by the Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, and Mike Teavee, but Charlie still hopes to encounter his ticket despite anything. Charlie finds miraculously money in the street. He decides to buy the bar of chocolate where the last Golden Ticker is. Grandpa Joe is eager to join Charlie on the tour around the factory. Gloop, Salt, Beauregarde, Teavee lose the contest because of the inability to behave accordingly. Charlie wins the contest by being the last kid standing. He also receives the grand prize to become the heir of the Wonka’s factory.
Nice Things Come in Small Packages
In the film, Charlie is a small boy living in the underprivileged environment. In the scene where he stands outside the chocolate factory, people pity him because of his tiny body and fragile appearance. Besides, Wonka has also small stature according to the film. Additionally, the bars of chocolate are small as well. This coincidence translates into the attitude people have towards small things underestimating and rarely even noticing them. Thus, it is obvious that the chocolate bars could hide deep meaning and immense value that people might not be able to notice. Charlie’s appearance does not correspond to his inner abilities and power to beat other children and ultimately control the factory.
Wealth vs. Poverty
The complex problem of wealth and poverty differences in the society is clearly distinct in the film. Money is perilous when utilized in an unscrupulous manner. Veruca’s dad symbolizes the disadvantages of wealth when he keeps Golden Ticket with the help of his financial resources. Wonka disagrees with her dad’s method of acquiring a ticket dishonestly. In the film, poverty encourages the main hero to perform good deeds. For example, Charlie never speaks mean to anyone. Moreover, he has a dignity which makes him a highly adored character who knows how to behave. It is not surprising that he becomes finally wealthy despite the fact that he has never dreamt of running his own chocolate company
What Goes Around Comes Around
Other four children are punished for their evil deeds. Augustus does not want to leave the Chocolate River. He appears inside the machinery for pumping chocolate which flattens him. Veruca due to her obnoxious behavior is not allowed to have the squirrel she cries for. It provokes the rest of the squirrels to regard her as a bad nut and throw her to the garbage cascade. Mike who adores television becomes smaller because of the same television. These transformations should make children better people. It is evident that only those who know how to suppress their extreme emotions and to behave responsibly as Charlie can achieve more.
Love
Charlie portrays the love theme in the film. He is the ultimate joy of the family with perfect relations. It is depicted in the scenes where he shares his birthday chocolate or spends frequently the evenings listening to his grandparents’ stories. Additionally, the love is shown by Charlie’s grandfather conveys love, especially when he offers to accompany the grandson to the factory tour. This clearly shows that one should spend time with family, particularly sharing his or her time with other members. The parents should give undivided attention to their kids. In turn, kids should grant attention to their parents as well.
Comparing Augustus to a Beast
The songs of Oompa-Loompas compose symbolic language that characterizes bad children. For example, the creatures sing: “Augustus Gloop! The great big greedy nincompoop!” It is a metaphor of Oompa-Loompas who cannot understand how this beast can continue eating so much. Thus, their song describes him as greed and gluttonous boy.
Charlie’s Grandparents Perceived as Shriveled as Prunes and Bony as Skeleton
This metaphor characterizes Charlie’s grandparents making it clear that they are really old. The comparison with the skeleton shows how poor they are since no member of the Bucket family has enough to eat.
This film has received positive responses and favorable reviews with an average rating. The fantasy is symbolic, and every scene conveys a hidden message. The film contains both good and evil characters. However, every character is either rewarded or punished according to his or her personality. It clearly outlines the fact that what goes around comes around. It is an entertaining movie for the whole family which emphasizes the consequences of bad habits and problem behavior.
