Miss Jennifer Honey is the protagonist of the novel Matilda and one of the two deuteragonists of its 1996 film adaptation. She is the daughter of Magnus Honey and the step-niece of Agatha Trunchbull. She is the adoptive mother (legal guardian) of Matilda Wormwood. Her age is unknown. However, because she starts being the teacher at Crunchem Hall Elementary School, it is likely she is in the mid-20's (at age 25).
Background[]
Jennifer Honey was born to prominent doctor Magnus Honey and an unknown mother in 1967.
When Jennifer was two, her mother died of what is likely natural causes. Her father needed someone to take care of his now mother-less daughter while he was at work, and so he called in his deceased wife's half sister Agatha Trunchbull. Unknown to him, Trunchbull was very cruel to his daughter behind his back, but put on a facade when he was around, and Jennifer was too scared to tell her father the truth. What is worse for Miss Honey was when she was five when her father died (the cause of which is unknown, but is thought to have been a suicide), leaving her to be tortured by Trunchbull. Luckily, Jennifer was able to escape her wicked aunt, living in a lovely little house.
Several years later, Miss Honey became a teacher at Crunchem Hall, which was where Miss Trunchbull became principal at. While Miss Trunchbull unleashed a reign of terror on Crunchem Hall, Miss Honey was a well loved teacher towards all of her students. She became especially interested in her newest student Matilda Wormwood because of her smart brain and love of books. She attempted to talk to Trunchbull and Matilda's parents (Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood), but none of them were willing to listen. After Matilda pulled a prank on Trunchbull, she confided with Jennifer on her telekinesis, while Miss Honey told Matilda about her relationship between her and Miss Trunchbull. (Also, since her --Ms. Honey's classroom-- was the only one classroom in the whole school, every student --for all five elementary school grades from 1st through 5th grade-- they had the same teacher. And it was Ms. Honey.)
Wanting to get back at Miss Trunchbull for what she did to Miss Honey, Matilda secretly formulated a plan to scare Trunchbull. To do this, Matilda used her powers to make Trunchbull think that Magnus' ghost was haunting her at the school, forcing her to give Miss Honey her house and inheritance from her father. This led to Trunchbull running screaming from the school, never to be seen again. (Trunchbull's car malfunctions --when she starts her car-- and she drives off backwards. That is, and she eventually dies in a car accident.) And Crunchem Hall was back in peace at last. Matilda and the other kids at Crunchem Hall were now safe with their teacher Ms. Honey.
With Trunchbull gone, Miss Honey moved back into her father's house. Matilda later became a regular houseguest to her. After Mr. Wormwood was exposed in his illegal car dealerships, he found a new job (in Guam) and attempted to take Matilda with the rest of the family. (That is, as they --the Wormwoods-- have successfully packed up their entire old house and are moving to the said place.) However, Matilda told them she did not want to leave --but wanted to continue going to the same school (Crunchem Hall) where her teacher Ms. Honey was and be with Ms. Honey-- and convinced them to sign the adoption papers (which would leave Matilda in Miss Honey's care). That is, to which they eventually agreed.
The Wormwoods (Harry, Zinnia, and Michael), their fates become unknown. However they were --presumably-- arrested by the police (despite making it to Guam and successfully finding a new house --to live in-- there). And --in Guam-- they were sentenced to prison (for good), spent their lives in jail (for scamming their business and child abusing on Matilda), and eventually died.
Subsequently --although offscreen-- Matilda's things (from the Wormwoods's old house) get packed and then are moved into her teacher Ms. Honey's house. As for Matilda, she lived a very happy life. Matilda --now that she is with her teacher (Ms. Honey)-- she is safe and sound (safe from any wicked family who verbally abuses her again). The ending narration depicts a montage, scenes, and transitions of Matilda's happy life with her teacher Ms. Honey (both inside and outside Crunchem Hall and every year and season). (From offscreen, Matilda's school friends --from Crunchem Hall and Ms. Honey's class-- get the good news, see that Matilda is safe, and she --Matilda-- is always going to be at school with them forever. That is, now that she --Matilda-- is living with Ms. Honey.) Matilda shares to all the students at Crunchem Hall (including her first grade classmates) that she is living with Ms. Honey and is going to continue going to school with them forever. That is, to which the students cheer after they get the good news. In fact, she is going to be in the Crunchem Hall school district --not just Crunchem Hall Elementary-- for the rest of her school life (now that she has Ms. Honey as her legal guardian).
In the meantime --and before school (at Crunchem Hall)-- starts again the next day, the viewers see Matilda in her happy life with Ms. Honey (her teacher). Matilda lives a happy life at both Ms. Honey's house and (at school) her class at school.
Personality[]
Miss Jennifer Honey is a kind and affectionate person who, despite her past, is kind to her students and everyone around her. She notices Matilda's talent and tries to convey this to The Trunchbull and Matilda's parents, despite their refusal to acknowledge this. Also, being able to sympathize with Matilda's burden of living with a family that does not appreciate her, Miss Honey acts as an emotional support and a guardian for Matilda.
Differences from the film and books[]
- Jennifer Honey becomes the new principal of Crunchem Hall in the film as opposed to Mr. Trilby in the book.
- She is wearing glasses in the book, but she did not usually wear glasses in the film: only once, when she multiplied 13x379 which she asked the class as a joke, but Matilda answered it.
Gallery[]
Matilda the Musical[]
Trivia[]
- Jennifer's actions in revealing Trunchbull's fear of supernatural things to Matilda can be considered as Checkov Gun, as by the time Matilda has mastered her psychic powers, the said power turned out come in handy to teach Trunchbull a lesson for her wrongdoings.
- Miss Honey is similar to James Henry Trotter from James and the Giant Peach, since they are orphans and were both raised by cruel aunts.
- In the novel, Miss Honey wears glasses, but not in the film (except in one minor instance when she was trying to solve Matilda's math problem of 13 times 379).
- She is inspired by, not to be confused with, the Richard Scarry character of the same name.
- This is similar to how the character Matilda --main character of the film-- is inspired by, not to be confused with, the character (from Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps) of the same first name or the Reader Rabbit character (Matilda Mouse) of the same first name. (That is, even though all three of these characters share the same first name which is "Matilda".)
- Her personality is very similar to Pearl from Steven Universe.
- Mariska Hargitay, Helen Hunt, Tori Amos, Winona Ryder, Rosie O'Donnell, Rene Russo, Meg Ryan, Nicole Kidman, and Samantha Mathis were all considered for the role of Jennifer Honey before Embeth Davitz was cast.