It… Read Full Bio ↴Matilda the musical, is based on the children's novel by Roald Dahl.
It is written by Dennis Kelly, with the score & lyrics written by Tim Minchin.
The musical was first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in December 2010.
In October 2011 it made it's way to the Cambridge Theatre in the west end.
Also in October 2011, it won best musical production and best actor (Bertie Carvel) in the Theatre Awards UK, and in November 2011 it won the Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical as part of The Evening Standard Awards.
Pathetic
Matilda the Musical Original Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just knock on the door.
Don't be pathetic!
Knock on the door, Jenny.
There's nothing to fear.
You're being pathetic!
It's just a door, you've seen one before.
Look at you trying to hide, silly.
Standing outside the Principal's Office.
Like a little girl!
It's just ... pathetic!
Ohhh!
Look at you hesitating, hands shaking!
You should be embarrassed!
You're not a little girl.
It's just pathetic.
Knock on the door, Jenny.
What are you waiting for?
Just knock on the door!
(SUNG IN A SPEECH-LIKE STYLE)
Perhaps I will wait.
She's probably having a meeting or something.
And won't want to be interrupted.
If anything, caution in these situations is sensible.
One should avoid confrontation when possible.
I'll come back later then!
(SUNG)
But this little girl
This miracle
Knock on the door, Jenny.
Just knock on the door.
Don't be pathetic!
(Knocking is heard)
(MISS TRUNCHBALL - Spoken)
Enter!
The song "Pathetic" from Matilda the Musical Original Cast is a motivating song that encourages Jenny, a character, to gather the courage and knock on the principal's door. The lyrics express a sense of confidence and determination to overcome fear and anxiety. The lines, "Don't be pathetic" and "It's just a door, you've seen one before," imply that Jenny is overthinking and fearing an ordinary thing. The song also highlights the idea that regardless of age or gender, everyone has inner strength to confront difficult situations.
The song further emphasizes how society tends to categorize and judge people by their age or gender. In the lines "You're not a little girl," and "Look at you hesitating, hands shaking! You should be embarrassed," the song highlights the discrimination faced by women who are expected to maintain older age behaviors even if it doesn't align with their current age. Additionally, these lines also symbolize that society expects everyone to behave according to the norms and fearlessness of adulthood, irrespective of actual age.
In conclusion, "Pathetic" by Matilda the Musical Original Cast is an inspiring song that pushes people beyond their comfort zone and reminds them that they all possess an element of courage to face any situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Knock on the door, Jenny.
Encouraging Jenny to knock on the door.
Just knock on the door.
Asking Jenny to take action and not hesitate.
Don't be pathetic!
Critiquing Jenny's behavior and urging her to be bold and confident.
There's nothing to fear.
Reassuring Jenny.
You're being pathetic!
Pointing out that Jenny is being overly cautious and fearful.
It's just a door, you've seen one before.
Reminding Jenny that a door is a common object and nothing to be afraid of.
Look at you trying to hide, silly.
Mocking Jenny's behavior and pointing out how it appears to others.
Standing outside the Principal's Office.
Describing Jenny's location.
Like a little girl!
Comparing Jenny's behavior to that of a child.
It's just ... pathetic!
Reiterating the artist's earlier point that Jenny's behavior is unacceptable.
Look at you hesitating, hands shaking!
Pointing out Jenny's physical manifestation of fear.
You should be embarrassed!
Shaming Jenny for her behavior.
You're not a little girl.
Reminding Jenny that she is no longer a child and should be able to handle this situation.
What are you waiting for?
Questioning Jenny's inaction.
Perhaps I will wait.
Jenny considers putting off the task.
She's probably having a meeting or something.
Justifying the delay with a hypothetical situation.
And won't want to be interrupted.
Further justifying the delay.
If anything, caution in these situations is sensible.
Trying to sound rational and thoughtful.
One should avoid confrontation when possible.
Offering a vague platitude.
I'll come back later then!
Deciding to postpone the task.
But this little girl
Referring to Jenny in a diminutive and demeaning way.
This miracle
Highlighting Jenny's special qualities and potential.
(Knocking is heard)
Describing a sound effect.
(MISS TRUNCHBALL - Spoken)
Identifying the artist of the next line.
Enter!
Instructing someone to come in.
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LaraTang
The first few lines makes it sound like it's from Into The Woods
@brianaghmcverry8148
Omg yeah
@tanyareverie8381
Oh yeah
@chloesimpson2744
OMG YES I was in Into the Woods and it sounds like it would fit in perfectly! Like Cinderella, instead of Steps of the Palace or something
@flip2flops838
it does sound a lot like it could be in Into The Woods
@Thepixiebella
Lara that’s what I said 😂
@byanyaynyay
Glad others noticed the distinctly Sondheim/Into the Woods sound to this. ;)
@anters1234
Yeah i love this song for that reason!
@original.username656
byanyaynyay yea I thought that
@jazzyq.1440
Using this song for into the woods audition :)