Mrs. Beauregarde

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Scarlett Beauregarde is a character in the novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its 2005 film adaptation. She is Violet Beauregarde's mother. She also appears in the 1971 film adaptation but only for a second (though we also hear her voice as well) as only Violet's father (Mr. Beauregarde, here called "Sam", though also left unnamed in the book) attends the factory tour.

[edit] 2005 film

Mrs. Beauregarde in the 2005 film adaptation
Mrs. Beauregarde in the 2005 film adaptation

In the 2005 film adaptation, she is given the name "Scarlett", and she is played by Missi Pyle.

It is assumed that Scarlett is divorced or separated from Violet's father as he makes no appearance. Scarlett is very proud of her daughter and encourages her to participate in many competitions, from martial arts to gum chewing, of which Violet is the world record holder and junior world champion. During Violet's interview after winning the third Golden Ticket, Scarlett uses the opportunity to draw attention to Violet's diverse range of trophies as well as her own award for baton (according to a picture from 1963 hanging on the wall).

It is assumed that Scarlett focuses most of her time and energy into coaching her daughter and prepping her for competitions whilst also reminding Violet to keep her "eyes on the prize". Scarlett and Violet wear matching blue track suits on the day of the factory tour and have similar hair styles. During the interview, they also wear matching pink clothes as well.

Her name is similar to the word scarlet, the name of a bright shade of red, which could be a play on words seeing as her daughter's name is shade of purple. The other reason behind the name is that she is named after Scarlett O'Hara, the protagonist of Gone with the Wind. Both are archetypes of the Southern woman and both are from Atlanta, Georgia.

After Violet starts to chew Willy Wonka's 3-course dinner chewing gum, Scarlett is excited that her daughter will be the first person in the world to do so, calling her "kiddo". Her excitement quickly turns to worry after Violet changes colour and starts to grow in size, reducing any chance of her daughter participating in any competitions in the future.

At the end of the film, she seems to show regret and embarrassment for treating Violet like an athlete and not like a daughter. Even though Violet is happy at her new flexibility after being squeezed in the juicing room and shrinking back to size, Scarlett is disappointed that Violet is now a shade of blue, like her namesake, although Violet doesn't seem to mind.

Scarlett is the second parent to be punished for her non-parental actions; the other is Veruca Salt's father, Mr. Henry Salt.