Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Chapter 30 : Charlie's Chocolate Factory | Summary

Summary

As the glass elevator hovers over the town, Mr. Wonka comments that he loves his chocolate factory. Then he turns to Charlie and asks, "Do you love it, too?"

When Charlie bursts out that he thinks the factory is the most wonderful place in the world, Mr. Wonka smiles. He's glad to hear it, he says, because he has decided to give Charlie the whole factory. As soon as Charlie's old enough, the business will become his.

He goes on to say that thousands of people would love the chance to take over, but he doesn't want an adult for the job. "A grownup won't listen to me; he won't learn." He's sure Charlie will pay attention to him.

Now it's time to fetch the rest of Charlie's family. They can all live in the factory and help run it until Charlie's old enough. Where is Charlie's house?

Charlie points, and a few minutes later the elevator crashes through the Buckets' roof.

In the resulting chaos Charlie and Grandpa Joe try to explain what's going to happen. Explaining doesn't help; the three other old people refuse to go. So Charlie, Grandpa Joe, and Mr. Wonka simply push the bed into the elevator, push the Buckets in after them, and get in themselves. Mr. Wonka presses a button for home.

Abruptly, Grandma Josephine asks if there will be anything to eat where they're going. "Anything to eat?" Charlie echoes. "Oh, you just wait and see!"

Analysis

What a glorious ending—beyond Charlie's and the reader's expectations. It seems perfect that Charlie will take over the factory. And he and his family have suffered so much that it's wonderfully satisfying to know they'll be comfortable for the rest of their lives. Perhaps living in Wonka's Chocolate Factory will restore the other three old people to the health and vigor now enjoyed by Grandpa Joe.

Charlie also seems like the kind of person who will see to getting the factory roof fixed if Mr. Wonka forgets.