Roald Dahl had previously intended the titular character from Charlie and the Chocoloate Factory to be of African descent. Roald’s widow, Felicity Dahl, was recently interviewed on BBC and shared this interesting tidbit. The famed writer’s agent was behind the switch in races of the main character. This wasn’t the only character from the story to get a background change. The Oompa-Loompa’s were also originally African. Dahl was accused of racism at various stages in his life. Keeping the main character black in one of the most famous stories of all time may have swayed some of those accusations.
Key Takeaways:
- Charlie Bucket, the hero of Roald Dahl’s famous children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was originally written to be a “lilittle black boy,” according to an interview with Felicity Dahl
- Although beloved by many, Dahl faced numerous accusations of racism both on and off the printed page.
- Perhaps most notably, the NAACP called on Dahl to alter his portrayal of the famous factory workers known as the Oompa Loompas in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
“She spoke earlier this week on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, alongside Roald Dahl biographer Donald Sturrock, who said it was the writer’s agent “who thought it was a bad idea” and had the author turn the protagonist white.”
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