Christianity in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Uploaded by spootyhead on Mar 08, 2007
Christianity in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is the story of five lucky children who won a chance to tour the secret factory of legendary candy man, Willy Wonka. Although the film is regarded as one of the greatest children’s musicals of all time, the movie subliminally forces Christian motives upon an unsuspecting audience.
Throughout the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, there are numerous allusions to Christianity. The first of these allusions can be found in the opening scene, during a song about the candy man. With such lines as: “The world tastes good because the candy man thinks it should.” And “who can make tomorrow, dip it in a dream, separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream? The candy man can.” Wonka himself is made into a God. Furthermore Wonka has created a paradise in his factory that encompasses many of the same characteristics that Heaven does. Both places are prosperous, fruitful, nearly perfect, and are considered a reward. Heaven is the reward for a life of dedicated service to the lord, and the chocolate factory is the reward for a dedicated life eating chocolate. Wonka’s factory is also similar to heaven in that only a fortunate few are allowed within their gates.
Whereas Willy Wonka is used to portray God, Mr. Slugworth is used with the purpose of depicting Satan. Although the real Mr. Slugworth is never shown in the movie, his image plays a major role in the film. In virtually all of his appearances in the movie Slugworth appears out of the shadows and offers to buy the children’s Everlasting Gobstoppers. Much like Satan might attempt to purchase a persons soul. Wonka and Slugworth are always at war much like God and Satan.
In addition to allusions to God and Satan, the movie makes references to numerous biblical themes. For example, each of the children portrays one of the seven deadly sins. Augustus Gloop, a heavy set boy who is continuously eating, demonstrates the sin of Gluttony. In nearly every scene the obese character is feasting in a restaurant or inquiring about his next meal. Augustus’s end is eventually brought by his need to be constantly eating. Although Augustus’s demise was obviously a consequence of his obsessive eating, the connection to Christian theology is not mentioned within the context of the movie. Thus,...