Family
Roald Dahl depicts the picture of a perfect family, which consists of totally different personalities, but which is still strong and loving. The members of Charlie’s family always support each other: they respect each other’s decisions and never turn their back on somebody if he/she does something wrong. When Grandpa George, Grandma Josephine, and Grandma Georgina take too many pills, Charlie, Mr. Wonka, and all the other members of the family try to do everything to bring them back safe and sound. Such situations show us how much they love each other; Roald Dahl touches his readers’ souls through these episodes.
Human weaknesses
Nobody is perfect, but some people try to get rid of their weaknesses while others ignore them. Roald Dahl’s story is very weird, but in a lovable way. Our ingenious author wants to make us better. His characters are the embodiment of different human weaknesses. Charlie’s grandparents (except Grandpa Joe) are grouchy and greedy (they criticize all the Willy Wonka’s inventions but later take too much of what is given to them and as a result become too young). The politicians are careless and irresponsible: instead of solving the problems in space they are acting the fool (for example, Mr. President invents a fly trap and asks his nanny to sing a song; the Chief Financial Adviser balances the budget (but literally, on his head)). Roald Dahl makes fun of human weaknesses to encourage us to be better.
Following Dreams
Charlie’s parents and grandparents (except one of them) are quite skeptical about Willy Wonka’s inventions. Actually, Charlie and Grandpa Joe are the only people who believe Mr. Wonka and support him in his crazy ideas. These three characters (Charlie, Mr. Wonka, and Grandpa Joe) are the main characters of the story. Through them, the author conveys the idea that there is nothing to be afraid of and we should always be relatable, inventive, and dreamy. Madness and reality are almost the same, and that’s why sometimes we should take risks and do whatever we want.
The Silliness of Adults
All of Dahl's books poke fun at adults, and this one is right up there with the best of them. Three of the grandparents are greedy and cantankerous and make poor choices. And of course, there is the President and his circle of advisers, each various degrees of idiocy, bluster, braggadocio, and impotence. Charlie, as the only kid, isn't perfect, but he is much more level-headed, kind, and thoughtful than these adults. Dahl gives young readers what they want by depicting the adults in less-than-flattering ways and upholding children as paragons of virtue. Wonka, tellingly, is the only adult who is written favorably, and he is more like a capricious, willful child than an adult.
Courage
This novel has several scenes that are terrifying and confusing, such as the Elevator in space with the Knids and the ghastly void of Minusland. Charlie, as the reader's lodestone, demonstrates exemplary courage as he faces these situations. He is the one who suggests helping the Commuter Capsule rather than trying to escape from the Knids, which would be easier but less moral. He is also willing to accompany Wonka into Minusland to get his grandmother back, even though it is a hellish place. Charlie's courage isn't over-the-top, though; he is no omnipotent hero. He lets his fear and hesitation show, just as most young readers would if in similar situations. The important thing is that he conquers those fears and shores up his courage to do what is right.
Delight and Danger of Spontaneity
Wonka is almost all id, meaning he does what he wants even when it may be dangerous. He encourages Charlie to be like this as well, which can be liberating for a boy used to poverty and its concomitants of restraint and carefulness. There is certainly delight in spontaneity and letting loose, as with the joy of exploring space, the incredible experience of stepping foot into the Space Hotel, and the glee of being silly. However, spontaneity is also dangerous because without thinking through some of the possible consequences of one's actions, it is possible that one may be eaten by Vermicious Knids, be blown up by the United States, or lose their grandparents to Minusland.
Greed
Dahl evidently deplores the greed depicted in the characters of the three grandparents, and they are justly punished. Wonka proclaims to hate greed and squabbling, and he certainly engineered what happened to the grandparents to give them their comeuppance. However, there is a bit of very subtle hypocrisy here because Wonka is the purveyor of greed-inducing sweets, marshals his Oompa-Loompas to do his bidding, takes on a dictatorial role, manipulates people to do what he wants, and generally is greedy. This may pass by younger readers, but the complexities and hypocrisies of Wonka's character are fascinating to older readers.
