Matilda: Arbiter of Justice

The eleventh card of the major arcana is Justice. It represents balance, fairness, integrity and accountability— reminding us that actions have consequences. At first glance Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the six year old mischief maker, may seem incongruous with the traditional depictions of a solemn Lady Justice on her throne. However Matilda is the perfect representation of Justice. 

Literary Tarot: Justice- Matilda

Rider-Waite Tarot- Justice

The Justice card invokes a fair system- where everyone gets their just desserts based on their actions. However that is not the world Matilda lives in. Her parents are mean and neglectful. In the 1996 movie adaption of Matilda, Mr. Wormwood threatens Matilda saying 

“When a Person is bad, that person needs to be taught a lesson.”

He means children, of course, but Matilda realizes then that she too has the power to dole out justice. From that moment on Matilda begins to serve justice in her own mischievous way. Her first act: super gluing her father’s hat to his head.

Later when Matilda is enrolled at Crunchem Hall she faces the cruel and hateful Miss Trunchbull. Miss Honey, Matilda’s compassionate teacher, has adapted to the horrible situation to protect her students and herself from the worst of Miss Trunchbull’s cruelty. But survival is not the same as justice. Despite their terror, the children defied their headmistress with small acts of revolt,like fifth form student, Hortensia with the itching powder, Matilda’s friend Lavender with the salamander. After Matilda is wrongly accused of the salamander prank she stews with anger at the injustice. Her anger builds with heat behind her eyes, as she glares at the water glass willing to tip it over. And then suddenly it does. The Trunchbull is soaked. She squirms and squeals as the salamander wriggles around her. Matilda has discovered that she has telekinetic powers. Her powers ignite when she feels anger at violations of justice and integrity.

Her greatest act of Justice comes when she learns Miss Honey’s tragic history. Miss Trunchbull not only terrorized her students but also stole her niece’s home and inheritance.  Rather than responding reactively, Matilda formulated a plan. She practiced controlling her power so that she had enough precision and control to execute it. Drawing upon Miss Trunchbull’s fear of the consequences she could face for the murder of Miss Honey’s father, Matilda used the chalk to write a message from his ghost.The Trunchbull wastes no time getting away, leaving the school to throngs of celebrating children.   In that moment, Justice prevails: Miss Honey regains her home, the children reclaim their school, and Matilda finally receives what every child deserves—a loving family.

My 6 year old modeling my Matilda T-shirt Design

Interpreting Justice through the lens of Matilda- we can acknowledge that the world is often unfair and cruel, however it is not a world we have to accept. Like Matilda we can channel our outrage into power. We can hold tyrants accountable and facilitate the natural consequences of their cruelty. We can also champion the good and kind and build a world that is more just.