A little nonsense . . . quotes from the cult classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”
As someone who loves words, poetry, and literature, I sometimes wish I had a more focused command of my literary knowledge. I would love to be able to remember and properly articulate a literary quote on the appropriate occasion.
For example, a few Charles Dickens’ quotes would have served me well during my budget meeting last month. “Make up the fires, and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another i, Bob Cratchit.”
One of the best examples of literary-quoting prowess comes from the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. In the film (but not the book), Wonka is portrayed as quoting from numerous literary sources, and Gene Wilder delivers these lines flawlessly.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes, along with their sources.
“So shines a good deed in a weary world”
From “The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare, though the original line is . . . “So shines a good deed in a naughty world.”
“We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams”
From “Ode” by Arthur O’Shaughnessy published in 1873.
“All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by”
From “Sea-Fever” a poem by John Masefield published in 1902
“Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker”
From the 1931 poem “Reflections on Ice Breaking” by Ogden Nash
“A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.”
From a proverb dating back to the 18th century
“The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last.”
From Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest.
“Where is fancy bred? In the heart or in the head?”
From “The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare. The original line is . . .
“Tell me where is fancy bred,
Or in the heart, or in the head?”
“Is it my soul that calls upon my name?”
From “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare
“Oh, you should never, never doubt what nobody is sure about”
From the poem “The Microbe” by Hilaire Belloc
“Round the world and home again, that’s the sailor’s way!”
From the poem “Homeward Bound” by William Allingham
“There’s no earthly way of knowing, which direction we are going . . .”
The opening line of “The Rowing Song” by Roald Dahl
“Up the airy mountain,
down the rushing glen,
we dare not go a hunting,
for fear of little men!”
Though not delivered by Willy Wonka in the film, these lines are from the poem “The Fairies” by William Allingham
What are some of your favorite quotes from Willy Wonka?
