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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Summary

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Here you will find a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory summary (Roald Dahl's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Summary Overview

The quirky owner of the world's most extraordinary chocolate factory has planned to grant five fortunate children the opportunity to explore his establishment. To select these lucky individuals, he conceals five golden tickets under the wrappers of his renowned chocolate bars, sparking a frenzied hunt worldwide. The first four tickets are found by Augustus Gloop, an overweight and gluttonous child; Veruca Salt, a spoiled child whose father employed his entire workforce to find the ticket; Violet Beauregarde, a gum-chewing fanatic; and Mike Teavee, a boy obsessed with television. Despite his impoverished circumstances, Charlie Bucket triumphantly discovers the fifth and final ticket. Living in a small house with his parents and four grandparents, Charlie endures the hardships of poverty. His family's situation worsens when his father loses his job; however, Charlie's fortune turns when he finds a worn-out dollar bill in the snow. After purchasing chocolate with part of the money, he finds the last golden ticket within the wrapper. Unaccompanied by his parents due to their responsibilities, Charlie's elderly, cherished grandpa, Joe, miraculously regains his energy, and they embark on their adventure to the factory together. In the factory, Charlie and Grandpa Joe are awestruck by the phenomenal sights, sounds, and smells. The other four children, however, fall victim to their own vices and are expelled from the factory through a series of peculiar and unpleasant events. After each child's debacle, the Oompa-Loompas, the factory's workers, perform a song condemning the faults of greedy, maladjusted children. Ultimately, Charlie is the only one remaining and is lauded by the factory owner for his victory. The day's events were another competition, and Charlie is awarded the entire chocolate factory. The adventure concludes with Charlie, Grandpa Joe, and the factory owner soaring through the factory's roof in a glass elevator to retrieve the rest of the Bucket family.

chapter 1

The story revolves around the destitute Bucket family, composed of our protagonist, Charlie Bucket, his parents and four grandparents: Joe, Josephine, George, and Georgina. Their tiny home barely accommodates them with the elders sharing a bed while Charlie and his folks sleep on the bare floor. The father earns a meagre income from a toothpaste factory, barely enough to feed them all. Their meals are sparse, consisting only of bread, margarine, boiled potatoes, and cabbage soup. Charlie yearns for a more wholesome diet, particularly chocolate, a luxury he can afford but once a year on his birthday. His sole annual bar of Wonka chocolate is a treasure he relishes for months on end. Living on the fringes of a sizeable town renowned for the Wonka chocolate factory, Charlie passes this tantalizing establishment daily en route to school. The sight of the factory's massive iron gates and the scent of chocolate each day fuels his dream to explore the magical world within.

chapter 2

Charlie spends every evening in his grandparents' room after their meal. His grandparents come alive with his presence, especially Grandpa Joe, who tells him all kinds of stories. Charlie's curiosity about the Wonka chocolate factory leads Grandpa Joe to share the tale of Mr. Wonka, the world's most exceptional chocolate maker, and his globally largest factory. Grandpa Joe speaks of Mr. Wonka's incredible accomplishments, like his over 200 types of candy bars, enjoyed by global leaders. He further entertains Charlie with stories of Mr. Wonka's unbelievable inventions, such as sun-resistant ice cream, flower-flavored marshmallows, and everlasting chewing gum. Charlie's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bucket, often join them, standing at the doorway, partaking in the joy of the stories.

chapter 3

Grandpa Joe spins a tale for Charlie about Mr. Wonka's encounter with Prince Pondicherry. The prince requests a palace made entirely from chocolate. Mr. Wonka obliges, creating a masterpiece of chocolate walls, furniture, and even taps dispensing hot chocolate. After building the sweet palace, he advises the prince to consume it quickly as it won't endure the heat. The prince, however, dismisses the advice, intending to reside in it. As Mr. Wonka foresaw, the palace dissolves in the sun's heat, leaving the prince in a pool of melted chocolate. Charlie, intrigued by the tale, questions the authenticity of it, which Grandpa Joe staunchly defends. Grandpa Joe then shares a peculiar fact: no one has ever been spotted entering or leaving the chocolate factory. Charlie reflects on this and realizes its accuracy, recalling the always locked gates of the factory, yet being aware that it's functioning. As he's about to question Grandpa Joe regarding the identity of the unseen workers, he's called to bed by his mother, leaving the mystery unresolved.

chapter 4

The next night, Grandpa Joe continues his narrative. He explains to Charlie how Mr. Wonka's business faced closure when rivals, fuelled by envy, infiltrated his factory to discover the secrets behind his unique candy creations. As these rivals began to duplicate his wonderful confectionery, Mr. Wonka was forced to lay off his staff and close his factory. Then, unexpectedly, the factory started operating again. While the locals anticipated the factory's reopening, they never witnessed anyone entering or leaving, and the factory gates remained shut. Inexplicably, the factory started churning out extraordinary new candy marvels. Grandpa Joe stresses that nobody had, or has, any idea about the management and operation of the factory—the only hint of the factory workers' identity are the tiny shadows occasionally spotted through the factory's large windows. These shadows are of small beings, hardly reaching a man's knee. Just as Charlie is about to probe Grandpa Joe for more details, Mr. Bucket breaks in with the announcement that a few fortunate individuals will get the chance to visit the Wonka chocolate factory, thanks to the golden tickets.

chapter 5

Mr. Bucket shares news from a newspaper article: Mr. Wonka, the mysterious chocolatier, is inviting five children on a guided tour of his factory. The tour concludes with each child receiving a lifetime stash of Wonka treats. The invites are concealed as golden tickets inside five Wonka chocolate bars sold globally. The golden tickets are the only entry passes to the factory. Mr. Wonka wishes everyone luck in his message. Grandma Josephine is too sick to respond, Grandma Georgina believes Mr. Wonka is mad, Grandpa George is astonished, while Grandpa Joe is thrilled. According to Grandpa Joe, the prospect of finding a golden ticket will undoubtedly boost global chocolate sales. He suggests to Charlie that he could be a potential golden ticket finder, although Charlie thinks it's implausible. Grandma Georgina offers hope to Charlie, reminding him he stands as good a chance as anyone else to discover a golden ticket in his annual birthday chocolate bar. But, Grandpa George counters that, stating that the winners will likely be those who have the means to buy countless chocolate bars.

chapter 6

The Bucket household learns from a news report that the first golden ticket has been claimed by Augustus Gloop, a notably obese young boy. His town hosts a celebratory parade and his mother voices her pride to the press, defending her son's excessive eating as a healthier hobby than causing trouble or playing with toy guns. She claims he only eats because he needs the nourishment. Charlie’s grandparents express distaste at the news. With the discovery of the first ticket, global frenzy ensues for the remaining four. Tales circulate of families desperately buying bulk chocolate bars, children breaking piggy banks, and even instances of crime, such as a bank robbery committed by a gangster desiring funds for chocolate bars. One woman falsely claims to have found a ticket, and a scientist invents a device for detecting tickets in chocolate bars, but embarrassingly, it only manages to steal a gold filling from a woman of nobility. The day before Charlie's birthday, news breaks that the second ticket has been discovered by a girl named Veruca Salt. Veruca's father, a rich owner of a peanut factory, uses his resources to give in to Veruca's demand for a golden ticket. He orders his workers to swap shelling peanuts for unwrapping chocolate bars procured in large quantities until they find a ticket for his daughter. As each day passes without a ticket, Veruca's tantrums escalate. Finally, after four days, a worker finds a golden ticket, quelling Veruca's anger. Charlie's grandparents criticize Veruca's character and her father's indulgence, with Grandpa Joe warning Charlie of the harm in spoiling children. Mrs. Bucket sends Charlie to bed, reminding him of his upcoming birthday and the chocolate bar he will receive. Grandpa Joe requests Charlie to open the bar in front of his grandparents.

chapter 7

Charlie comes into his grandparents' room on his birthday, holding his gift, a delicious Wonka fudgemallow delight bar. Everyone is eager as he gently touches the wrapper. His mother, Mrs. Bucket, warns him not to get his hopes up about finding a golden ticket inside. She says he shouldn't count on such rare luck. The others agree; with only four tickets remaining, it’s unlikely. Grandpa Joe advises Charlie to simply enjoy his gift. They all hope to protect Charlie from disappointment but also acknowledge there might be a slim chance of a ticket. Urging Charlie to unwrap his chocolate before school, Grandpa Joe watches as Charlie peels off the wrapper to reveal no golden ticket. He comforts Charlie, saying it's what they expected. Charlie, with a melancholy smile, attempts to share his chocolate with his family, but they all firmly decline. He tries once more before heading to school.

chapter 8

The evening news revealed the third and fourth lucky golden ticket owners. Mr. Bucket, with poor eyesight and no glasses, reads about Miss Violet Beauregarde's win. In the midst of reporters and camera flashes, Violet, a habitual gum chewer, shares her story while munching on a piece of gum. She mentions a brief pause from gum chewing to locate the golden ticket. Her mother disapproves of her gum obsession, but Violet disregards her complaints, even boasting about her record-breaking three-month long chewing stint. She also confesses to her past mischief of sticking used gum on elevator buttons to surprise passengers. She ends her account expressing her anticipation about visiting Mr. Wonka’s factory and receiving a lifetime supply of gum. The grandmothers express their distaste for Violet's behavior, after which Mr. Bucket reads about the Teavee family. Amidst the media frenzy, Mike Teavee, the fourth ticket winner, is engrossed in a violent television show. He is visibly irritated by the interruptions and passionately expresses his love for television. His preference? Gangster shows. The grandmothers express their disappointment in the child's manners, while Grandpa George brings up the last remaining ticket. His wife grimly predicts that another ill-mannered child will be the final winner.

chapter 9

Charlie, alone with Grandpa Joe after school, watches as his grandpa secretly presents an old leather wallet. Hidden under his pillow, it yields a dime. Grandpa Joe reveals that others are unaware of this money, urging Charlie to use it for another shot at the golden ticket. Charlie, concerned, questions if Grandpa Joe is certain about spending his savings on chocolate. However, Grandpa Joe confirms that he shares Charlie's eagerness to win the ticket. Charlie accepts the money and dashes off to purchase a Wonka bar, returning quickly to unwrap it with Grandpa Joe. Ready to open the bar, Grandpa Joe prompts Charlie to rip off the wrapper. Charlie insists that Grandpa Joe, who bought the bar, should do the honors. The pair chuckle as Grandpa Joe admits that they probably won't find the ticket. Charlie acknowledges this, but also the minuscule hope that it might be there. Excitedly, Charlie encourages his grandpa to tear the wrapper, progressing from a small corner to the entire bar. Despite Grandpa Joe's attempts to involve him, Charlie insists his grandpa continue. The wrapper is finally removed, revealing no golden ticket. The absurdity of the situation sets them off into fits of laughter, disturbing Grandma Josephine's sleep. They quickly hide their chocolate bar.

chapter 10

The cold weather sets in, with heavy snowfall and winds penetrating the Bucket's home. Survival becomes the priority, overshadowing the remaining golden ticket. The family's scarce meals aren't enough to satisfy Charlie's hunger. Mr. Bucket loses his job as the toothpaste factory closes. His earnings from shovelling snow do little to help feed his family. Seeing Charlie's worsening condition, Grandpa Joe insists he must eat more, even at the cost of the grandparents' meals. However, Charlie won't take food from his family. Grandpa George acknowledges Charlie deserves better. Charlie adjusts his routine to save energy amidst worsening weather and health. One day, Charlie finds a dollar bill in the snow on his way home from school. With no one nearby, he claims it for himself. His mind turns to food. He decides to buy a candy bar from the closest store and give the remaining money to his mum.

chapter 11

Charlie buys a whipple-scrumptious fudgemallow delight bar from a store, the same kind he enjoyed on his birthday, and relishes every bite. The storekeeper observes Charlie's delight and comments on his enthusiasm for the chocolate. With some change left, Charlie decides to buy another bar. As he unwraps the second bar, a golden shimmer catches his eye. The storekeeper spots it too and announces that Charlie has discovered the final golden ticket, attracting an excited crowd. A man offers Charlie fifty dollars and a new bike for the ticket, while a woman raises the stakes by offering five hundred dollars. The storekeeper interjects, urging the crowd to let Charlie be. He guides Charlie to the door, advising him to hurry home. The storekeeper expresses his joy for Charlie before he leaves. Charlie, in gratitude, thanks the shopkeeper and dashes off. As he passes Mr. Wonka’s factory, he proclaims that they'll be seeing him soon.

chapter 12

Charlie rushes home announcing to his family about finding the last golden ticket. The room falls silent as Grandpa Joe, disbelieving, inspects the ticket. As all eyes are on him, he confirms the authenticity of the ticket, leaping out of bed in sheer joy to celebrate Charlie's incredible achievement. Mr. Bucket, coming home from a strenuous day of work, walks into a chaotic household, and is quickly filled in on the unbelievable news. Charlie presents his father with the golden ticket and the attached invitation. Upon Grandpa Joe's request, Mr. Bucket reads out the invitation from Mr. Wonka, inviting the lucky ticket holder for a tour of his factory the following day, on February 1, along with the promise of a lifetime supply of Wonka treats. With the realization that the tour is the next day, the family begins to prepare Charlie. Grandpa Joe offers to accompany Charlie as Mr. Bucket has to work and Mrs. Bucket needs to care for the rest of the family. The family agrees that Grandpa Joe is the best choice to accompany Charlie, causing him to cheer with happiness. Their celebration is interrupted by a knock on the door from a swarm of reporters and photographers. After what feels like forever, they leave and Charlie finally gets some sleep.

chapter 13

As dawn breaks, a throng of spectators assembles outside the factory to catch a glimpse of the golden ticket winners. The quintet of children, accompanied by their parents, await near the entrance, shielded from the masses. All children, save for Charlie who is with Grandpa Joe, are with both parents, who keep them from rushing the entrance. Charlie overhears the crowd's chatter. He catches the mention of Violet Beauregarde, who is still busy with her record-setting gum chewing. Augustus Gloop is described as massive, while Mike Teavee’s numerous guns draw attention. Veruca Salt's golden ticket, a gift from her indulgent father, sparks conversation, with some voicing their distaste. "Who's Charlie Bucket?" someone wonders aloud. The reply comes, "The tiny boy next to the frail old man." The discussion turns to Charlie's lack of a coat, suggesting poverty. Charlie tightens his grip on Grandpa Joe’s hand, who responds with a comforting smile. The moment the clock strikes ten, the enormous factory gates open. Silence falls on the crowd as Mr. Wonka steps forward.

chapter 14

Mr. Wonka, a sprightly man with a goatee, sparkling eyes, and flamboyant attire, energetically greets his visitors. He requests each ticket holder and their parents to step forward. Augustus Gloop is the first, followed by Veruca Salt, whom Mr. Wonka playfully teases about her name. Violet Beauregarde and Mike Teavee also get their turns, each receiving firm handshakes from Mr. Wonka. Lastly, a timid Charlie introduces himself, and Mr. Wonka warmly acknowledges him, mentioning he saw the news about Charlie finding the ticket. With everyone inside, the doors close and the journey begins. Mr. Wonka starts the tour, taking care to mention the factory's high temperature for the benefit of his employees. When quizzed about the workers, Mr. Wonka expertly dodges the question. Charlie and Grandpa Joe marvel at the corridor's size and the warmth, the appealing aroma, and the distant hum of machines. Mr. Wonka instructs everyone to leave their coats on the provided hooks and follow him. The group, comprising five children and nine adults, is led swiftly through a maze of hallways. Grandpa Joe grasps Charlie's hand tighter, while Mr. Wonka points out the downward slope of the corridors. He mentions that the vital rooms are located underground due to their massive size. The group halts at a metal door bearing the words “CHOCOLATE ROOM”, marking the next phase of their adventure.

chapter 15

Mr. Wonka describes the chocolate room as his factory’s heart. The visually stunning room is a testament to his aversion for ugliness. Before they go in, he advises the children to stay composed. Upon entry, they are greeted by a green valley intersected by a brown river and waterfall. Massive clear pipes protrude from the room's ceiling, drawing the frothy liquid from the river. The riverbank is adorned with a variety of flora. With palpable enthusiasm, Mr. Wonka reveals that the river is pure chocolate, leaving everyone speechless. He proclaims the waterfall to be critical to his chocolate-making process, asserting that only a waterfall can appropriately churn chocolate. He goes on to reveal that everything in the area, including the grass underfoot, is edible and made from top-quality chocolate. As they all sample the grass, Charlie and Grandpa Joe express their delight, Augustus grabs a handful, and Violet tucks her gum behind her ear. Suddenly, Veruca spots tiny figures across the river, prompting the rest to spot the small individuals. The sight of the tiny people sparks a flurry of conversation among the group. The tiny beings glance at the children, then burst into uncontrollable laughter. Despite Charlie's disbelief, Mr. Wonka confirms that these Oompa-Loompas are indeed real.

chapter 16

Mr. Wonka tells them about the Oompa-Loompas, his workers from Loompaland. Mrs. Salt, a geography teacher, insists there's no such place, but Mr. Wonka insists it's real. He tells them how the Oompa-Loompas had a tough life in Loompaland, living in trees to avoid dangerous predators. They were close to starving, surviving on bugs and craving their favorite food: cacao beans, the main ingredient in chocolate. Mr. Wonka discovered this and offered them jobs in his factory, where they could eat all the cacao beans they wanted. The tribe leader agreed, and Mr. Wonka moved all the Oompa-Loompas to his factory. Mr. Wonka praises the Oompa-Loompas as excellent workers who love to sing, dance, and play pranks. He tells them they'll probably hear the Oompa-Loompas singing during the tour. He also mentions their preferred attire of leaves and deerskins, like they wore in Loompaland. Suddenly, Veruca yells at her dad, demanding an Oompa-Loompa of her own. Her father tells her to wait. Meanwhile, Mrs. Gloop notices Augustus by the river, eating handfuls of hot chocolate, and warns him not to go too close.

chapter 17

Noticing Augustus sipping from the chocolate river, Mr. Wonka urgently requests he stops, emphasizing the importance of keeping the chocolate untouched. Despite the pleas from his parents, Augustus disregards them. Losing his balance while leaning over the river, he plunges in and vanishes beneath the surface. Mrs. Gloop implores her husband to act, and despite his hesitation due to his fancy attire, Mr. Gloop begins to undress. Before he can act, however, Augustus is sucked into a giant pipe. His mother calls for help, while his father speculates on his son's predicament. Both Charlie and Grandpa Joe fear for Augustus. Eventually, the pressure propels Augustus up the pipe and out of sight. Mrs. Gloop demands to know her son's whereabouts, and Mr. Wonka tries to reassure her that Augustus will be unharmed. She expresses fear that her son might be turned into a marshmallow, but Mr. Wonka refutes this, explaining that the pipe leads to a fudge room. The Gloops are outraged, suspecting that Mr. Wonka is mocking them. He insists that their son will be alright and that turning him into fudge would be impractical as no one would buy it. Mrs. Gloop insists on seeing her son, prompting Mr. Wonka to summon an Oompa-Loompa to guide them to the fudge room. Mr. Wonka then tells the Oompa-Loompa to hurry and locate Augustus, joking about the poor taste of the fudge, much to Mrs. Gloop’s displeasure. After dismissing this as a joke, he bids the Gloops goodbye. As they leave, the remaining Oompa-Loompas celebrate with a song and dance routine about Augustus's greed and the lesson he will learn, all without harm. Mr. Wonka dismisses the Oompa-Loompa's song as nonsense, a sentiment echoed by Grandpa Joe in response to Charlie's question.

chapter 18

Mr. Wonka hastens the group and reassures them that Augustus is safe. A large, pink boat, shaped like a Viking ship and manned by Oompa-Loompas, appears on the river. Seeing the remaining contestants and their parents, the Oompa-Loompas can't help but laugh. Violet seeks an explanation, but Mr. Wonka dismisses their laughter as jovial nature. Everyone boards the boat and drifts downstream. Mr. Wonka warns Mike Teavee against licking the boat, and upon hearing Veruca Salt's desire for a similar boat, Grandpa Joe tells Charlie she needs a lesson in manners. As Charlie contemplates the day's events, Mr. Wonka offers him and Grandpa Joe mugs filled with chocolate from his river, asking why they appear weak. Grandpa Joe admits to their poor diet at home. After tasting the chocolate, Charlie appreciates its quality, and Mr. Wonka reveals his secret – the waterfall mixes his chocolate. Next, Mr. Wonka signals the Oompa-Loompas to row faster into a dark tunnel, eliciting screams from the guests. Violet expresses concern about their visibility, which Mr. Wonka confirms. The parents accuse Mr. Wonka of madness, but Grandpa Joe defends him. Upon Mr. Wonka's command for light, the tunnel illuminates, revealing a pristine tube and the quickly moving river beneath them. Grandpa Joe notices numbered doors with odd labels like “ALL CREAMS INCLUDING HAIR CREAM.” Mike Teavee disputes the need for hair cream, but Mr. Wonka pays him no mind. When Veruca and Violet question signs like “WHIPS FOR WHIPPING CREAM” and “BEANS INCLUDING HAS BEANS,” Mr. Wonka jokes with Violet and orders the boat to stop.

chapter 19

The boat halts before a red door labeled 'the inventing room' and Mr. Wonka opens it. He says it's the most significant part of the factory and every malicious chocolate maker would love to enter. He cautions everyone to avoid touching anything. All the children nod in agreement. Mr. Wonka reveals that apart from him, no one else has ever been in there before. He repeats his warning about not touching anything. To Charlie, the room is reminiscent of a witch's kitchen, filled with simmering pots, steaming pipes, and a variety of irresistible aromas. Mr. Wonka seems unusually thrilled in this room. He eagerly attends to different pots, adjusts knobs, tastes samples, and monitors a machine that produces green balls. He tells them these are everlasting Gobstoppers, a new invention for impoverished children, which can be sucked endlessly without shrinking. Violet relates this to gum, but Mr. Wonka warns that biting one could result in a broken jaw. He mentions that an Oompa-Loompa nearby has been testing a gobstopper for a year and it hasn't become smaller. He then moves to another pot containing hair toffee, which he says can cause hair to grow, even a beard and mustache. Veruca questions the need for such a thing, but Mr. Wonka humorously suggests that a beard would suit her. He admits that the recipe needs some tweaking, as demonstrated by an overly hairy Oompa-Loompa, but reassures them he'll perfect it to prevent children from going bald. Mike Teavee points out that kids don't typically go bald, but his comment is ignored.

chapter 20

Mr. Wonka takes the group to another contraption, brimming with tubes pouring into a large glass vat. When he hits the switches, the machine begins to tremble and steam, shooting multicolored jets into the vat. As the vat fills, Mr. Wonka presses another switch, which stirs the fluids together, constantly shifting colors until finally turning blue. Mr. Wonka instructs everyone to observe as the machine ceases its whirling and starts to retract the liquid back inside. Soon after, a small drawer springs open from the machine, revealing a tiny object that resembles cardboard. Mike Teavee seems unimpressed. Surprised, Mr. Wonka asks Mike if he comprehends what the machine has just produced. The silence is broken by Violet who states it's gum. Confirming her guess, Mr. Wonka details that it's the most incredible gum ever made.

chapter 21

Mr. Wonka reveals his latest creation: a gum that contains a complete three-course meal. The flavors are tomato soup, roast beef, and blueberry pie. He promises that chewing this gum will make one feel as though they've eaten a full meal. He insists it will revolutionize the way people eat, despite Veruca's disbelief. Ignoring her mother's warning, Violet demands to try the miraculous gum. Mr. Wonka attempts to warn her that it's still in the experimental stages, but she snatches it and starts chewing before he can finish. She tastes the soup and expresses her delight. Ignoring further warnings from Mr. Wonka, she continues to chew, describing the change in taste. Her parents cheer her on, and everyone watches in astonishment. As she tastes the blueberry pie, her nose changes shape and she begins to turn blue. Despite pleas from her parents and Mr. Wonka to spit out the gum, she refuses. Violet's transformation into a blueberry shocks everyone. Mr. Wonka admits that he hasn't yet perfected the dessert portion of the gum. Mrs. Beauregarde is horrified to see her daughter swelling up. Mr. Wonka shares that she's not the first to suffer this fate, as it's happened to multiple Oompa-Loompas. Summoning ten of them, he instructs them to roll Violet to the juicing room to reverse the process. Apologizing to the Beauregardes, he follows the Oompa-Loompas and the bloated Violet, leaving the others to process the bizarre scene. Charlie and Grandpa Joe are drawn to a song the Oompa-Loompas sing, a cautionary tale about the hazards of chewing gum. The song concludes with the Oompa-Loompas vowing to save Violet, though they're unsure if they'll be successful.

chapter 22

Mr. Wonka leads the group into the hallway, affirming his desire to avoid further child losses. Upon Charlie's inquiry about Violet's condition, Mr. Wonka assures him that she will recover post-juicing, albeit retaining a purple hue due to her incessant gum chewing. When questioned by Mike Teavee about his gum production, Mr. Wonka chides him for mumbling and swiftly moves everyone along. Charlie and Grandpa Joe stay close while they navigate the labyrinthine corridors, passing various doors emitting enticing sounds, scents, and hues. As they hustle to keep pace with Mr. Wonka, Charlie and Grandpa Joe spot a door labeled “Eatable Marshmallow Pillows,” a creation Mr. Wonka believes will soon gain popularity. Another door hides lickable wallpaper, featuring fruit-flavored pictures. When asked about the flavor of a snozzberry, Mr. Wonka once more scolds Mike for mumbling. They continue past doors hiding delicacies like hot ice cream, chocolate milk cows, and fizzy lifting drinks. Mr. Wonka briefly describes each room's offerings, informing Charlie that burping is the only way down from a fizzy lifting drink or risk floating indefinitely upwards. Veruca's curiosity about restricted access to these rooms is met with a reminder for patience from Mr. Wonka. They finally stop at a room named “Square Candies That Look Round.”

chapter 23

The crowd gathers around a door where Charlie, lifted by Grandpa Joe, peeps into a room filled with sweets shaped like cubes, each with faces painted on all sides. Oompa-Loompas are seen busy painting these faces. Mr. Wonka introduces these as his 'round-looking' square candies. Mike Teavee and Veruca don't agree that they look round whilst Veruca insists they appear square. This leads to a disagreement between Veruca and Mr. Wonka. Mrs. Salt dismisses Mr. Wonka's statement, accusing him of lying. Mr. Wonka responds by name-calling Mrs. Salt and commanding her to leave. Mr. Salt reacts, but is silenced by Mr. Wonka. Upon opening the door, Mr. Wonka proves his point as the faces on the cubes turn to the crowd, hence looking 'round'. Grandpa Joe sides with Mr. Wonka. Exiting the room, they pass another door labelled BUTTERSCOTCH and BUTTERGIN. This door catches Mr. Salt's attention. Mr. Wonka clarifies that the 'scotch' and gin make the Oompa-Loompas joyful. Behind the closed door, they hear laughter and singing. Mr. Wonka says they are intoxicated on butterscotch and soda but also enjoy buttergin and tonic. Mr. Wonka hastens the group. Mrs. Salt struggles to keep up with the group due to her physique. Despite her requests for a slower pace, Mr. Wonka insists they mustn't waste time. Veruca is curious about the next location, to which Mr. Wonka responds she should wait patiently.

chapter 24

The group arrives at the nut room of Mr. Wonka's factory. Everyone is amazed to see a hundred squirrels expertly cracking open walnuts. Mr. Wonka reveals that he uses these squirrels rather than Oompa-Loompas because they can open walnuts perfectly and even sort out the bad ones. They dispose of the bad nuts by throwing them down a garbage chute. Veruca Salt, one of the children, demands to have one of the squirrels. Her mother explains that they belong to Mr. Wonka, but promises to buy her one. Veruca insists on having one of Mr. Wonka's trained squirrels and rushes into the room to grab one, ignoring Mr. Wonka's protests. Suddenly, all the squirrels attack Veruca and drag her towards the garbage chute. Mr. Wonka quips that Veruca must be a bad nut. Despite her resistance, Veruca is thrown into the chute and disappears. Her mother frantically asks where the chute leads, to which Mr. Wonka casually replies that it leads to the incinerator. Though he adds that the incinerator might not be on that day, her parents are outraged and rush into the squirrel room. The squirrels react by pushing them down the chute too. Charlie, worried, asks Mr. Wonka about their fate, but he optimistically says that they should be alright. Grandpa Joe then draws attention to the next Oompa-Loompa song, which criticizes Veruca's spoiled behaviour and blames her parents for their part in it, hence their trip down the chute.

chapter 25

Mr. Wonka notes that the kids have been dwindling, but assures they'll be okay. He encourages the remaining ones to carry on. Mike Teavee expresses his exhaustion and desire to watch TV. To accommodate Mike's tiredness, Mr. Wonka suggests they use the elevator. He shows them an elevator having thousands of buttons, each labelled with a different room. He clarifies that the elevator, made entirely of glass, can move in any direction. Grandpa Joe marvels at this, whereas Mike Teavee finds it unimpressive. Mr. Wonka urges them to select a button. On discovering a TV room button, Mike pushes it joyously. The sideways-moving elevator stumbles everyone, except Mr. Wonka. Holding onto a strap, Charlie clings to Grandpa Joe's legs. While Mrs. Teavee panics from the ride, Mr. Wonka soothes her. Charlie, in contrast, delights in the ride. Mrs. Teavee threatens to vomit, which prompts Mr. Wonka to offer his hat. Mike demands Mr. Wonka to halt the elevator. Mr. Wonka explains that the elevator won't stop until it hits its target. He then playfully suggests the possibility of a collision, striking fear into the Teavees. As they approach the end, Mr. Wonka pleads Mrs. Teavee to keep his hat clean. The elevator then halts, leaving Mike sweaty and Mrs. Teavee vowing never to board again. As they leave, Mr. Wonka cautions them about the TV room.

chapter 26

Exiting the elevator, they arrive in a strikingly white room. Mr. Wonka distributes sunglasses for the group to wear due to the room's brightness. Charlie, now shielded by the glasses, observes the room containing just a camera surrounded by numerous Oompa-Loompas and a TV with a sole Oompa-Loompa operator. The Oompa-Loompas around the camera are donned in spacesuits. Mr. Wonka reveals the room is for "television chocolate" testing. Mike Teavee's curious interruption about television chocolate is dismissed by Mr. Wonka, who expresses his disdain for television although admits in moderation it's tolerable. Mr. Teavee agrees, only to be silenced by his father. Mr. Wonka proceeds to detail his understanding of actual television, which Mike Teavee disputes, leading to an uninterested Mr. Wonka pretending to be hard of hearing. Mr. Wonka wants to distribute chocolate like television signals. When Mike Teavee dismisses the idea, Mr. Wonka proceeds with a demonstration. Six Oompa-Loompas bring in a massive chocolate bar. He explains that, like television, the chocolate shrinks to fit the screen. After a cautionary pause for safety, the chocolate bar vanishes. Mr. Wonka dashes everyone to the TV where the chocolate reappears. Despite Mike Teavee's skepticism, Charlie retrieves the chocolate from the screen, almost dropping it from shock. Eating the chocolate confirms its reality, to Grandpa Joe's awe. Mr. Wonka plans to market his chocolate straight into homes, leaving Grandpa Joe speechless.

chapter 27

Mike Teavee incessantly questions Mr. Wonka about transmitting humans via television. Even though Mr. Wonka believes it's feasible, he's concerned about the risk involved. However, Mike ignores his caution and dashes towards the TV camera. Despite urgent protests from Mr. Wonka and his parents, Mike is consumed by a dazzling light as he jumps in front of the lens. In response to their son's vanishing act, Mr. and Mrs. Teavee are in shock, while Mr. Wonka guides them all to the TV screen. As they anxiously await Mike's appearance, Mr. Wonka warns the Teavees about the occasional incomplete transmission of the chocolate. The screen starts to flicker and gradually Mike materializes, but he's reduced to a mere inch in height. While Mrs. Teavee frets about her son's wellbeing, Mr. Teavee seeks answers from Mr. Wonka about Mike's shrunken size. Mike, on the other hand, proudly declares he is the first human to be teleported via television. Following Mr. Wonka's direction, Mrs. Teavee collects her tiny son. Despite Mr. Wonka's assurance of Mike's safety, she's not convinced and promises to dispose of their TV. On hearing this, Mike has a meltdown which results in Mr. Teavee stuffing him into his pocket. Mr. Wonka proposes stretching Mike to his original size, though he's uncertain of the outcome. Regardless, he promises to feed Mike a unique supplement to bulk him up. As they are ushered away by an Oompa-Loompa, Mr. Wonka reassures the Teavees that everything will be fine. The remaining Oompa-Loompas then break into a song, condemning television and praising the value of books.

chapter 28

Grandpa Joe reveals to Mr. Wonka that Charlie is the only remaining child. Mr. Wonka responds with ecstatic joy, praising Charlie's success. He has numerous tasks to complete, like gathering people, and starts looking for a specific button in the glass lift. Charlie senses an impending crazy event, but despite his confusion, he doesn't feel scared. Like Grandpa Joe, he too is thrilled. He sees Mr. Wonka press a button labeled “UP AND OUT,” and wonders about their destination. The lift then speeds off swiftly. Grandpa Joe cheers loudly while Mr. Wonka encourages it to move faster. Mr. Wonka admits he has always wanted to push the “UP AND OUT” button but was reluctant to create a hole in the roof. Grandpa Joe worries that the glass lift will crash through the roof and get destroyed. Mr. Wonka concedes this might happen. Suddenly, with a deafening noise, the lift hurtles through the factory roof and shoots up into the sky. Grandpa Joe exclaims that the lift is crazy. Mr. Wonka hits a button which halts it midair. Charlie gazes at the town beneath, feeling like he's floating. When Grandpa Joe questions how the lift stays airborne, Mr. Wonka clarifies it runs on candy. He then directs their attention to the other children departing from the factory.

chapter 29

Mr. Wonka lowers the elevator so Charlie can observe the other kids departing the factory. Charlie spots three kids and Mr. Wonka informs him that Mike Teavee will join soon. The trucks beneath them are laden with the initial batch of a lifetime's chocolate supply for each kid. Mr. Wonka shows Charlie a now-slim Augustus Gloop and explains how each child has transformed. Augustus lost weight after being stuck in the pipe while Violet turned blue, although she appears fine otherwise. Veruca is smothered with trash. Then, an elongated Mike Teavee emerges. Charlie is aghast at Mike's overstretching, yet Mr. Wonka suggests that this misfortune might attract national basketball teams to him. Mr. Wonka elevates the elevator once more and mentions to Charlie they need to discuss something vital.

chapter 30

Mr. Wonka expresses his love for his chocolate factory to Charlie and, upon asking, learns Charlie shares the sentiment. He tells Charlie he wants to hand over the factory to him. Charlie is shocked and Grandpa Joe believes it's a joke, but Mr. Wonka confirms he's serious. He's old and needs someone just like Charlie who won't change anything about the factory. Charlie comprehends why Mr. Wonka distributed the golden tickets, promising his factory to the child he liked most. Grandpa Joe remains doubtful. Mr. Wonka directs the elevator towards Charlie's house, stating that the entire Bucket family will live in the factory. Charlie worries about his mother who cares for his other grandparents, but Mr. Wonka ensures all of them can come. As they head home, Mr. Wonka decides to crash the elevator through the roof of the Bucket's house. Despite protests from Charlie and Grandpa Joe, he goes ahead. The noise brings Mr. and Mrs. Bucket into the room. They're shocked by the wreckage as the grandparents call for help. Disregarding their protests, Mr. Wonka, Charlie, and Grandpa Joe manage to push the bed inside the elevator, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Bucket. As they rise, Charlie reassures his grandparents about their destination. When asked if food will be available, Charlie tells them to wait and see, laughing.

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