Have I watched the movie in the last decade or more? No. Do I have iron clad evidence to support my argument? Yes.
1. She’s the most knowledgeable about candy. She’s committed to it, and knows her stuff. When Wonka holds up a little yellow piece across the room, she recognizes it immediately. She was able to switch to candy bars for the sake of the contest, so we know she has personal discipline and is goal oriented. Also, two major projects play directly into her strong suits: the 3-course-meal gum that Wonka failed to make safe (gum) and the neverending gobstopper (longevity).
2. She’s the most fit to run a business. Violet is competitive, determined, hard working, and willing to take risks. Her father is a small town car salesman and politician, so she could easily pick up knowledge and support from him. (Veruca’s dad is also a business man, and in a compatible market (nuts), but it’s made very clear that Veruca has no respect or knowledge of business practices or hard work.)
3. She’s the most sympathetic to the Oompa Loompas. She critiques Veruca when Veruca demands to buy one. More importantly, Wonka has been testing the 3-course-meal gum that ‘always goes wrong’ on Oompa Loompas while he presumably just watches. Violet is ready to put herself on the front line, instead of treating the Oompa Loompas as disposable, and would therefore be a better boss.
4. Her personality ‘flaw’ is the most fitting for the company. In the moralizing Oompa Loompa song, they just say ‘gum is pretty cool, but it’s not socially acceptable to chew it all day‘. The thing is, we already know that she can stop if she wants, because she already did that to win the golden ticket. And yeah, she is defensive about the perceived impoliteness of her hobby (like when her mother tries to shame her about her habit during a televised interview) but the obsession with candy and neglect of social norms is EXACTLY what Wonka is all about. This is on brand.
5. Her misstep in the factory is reasonable. Wonka shows everyone a candy he’s very proud of. Violet is like “oh sick, that’s gum, my special interest.” Wonka then pulls a “WRONG! It’s amazing gum!” In the very moments before she takes the gum Wonka has mislead her just to belittle her. So when he’s like “I wouldn’t do that” why should she give a shit what he has to say? She’s not like Charlie over here who’s all “Sure Gramps, let’s stay behind while the tour leaves and secretly drink this thing that has been explicitly stated to fill you with gas and is too powerful for safe consumption, oh and also I just saw what happened to Violet so I actually KNOW what this stuff can be capable of” Also, Violet is not selfish about her experience, she tells everyone what she’s tasting and feeling, and everyone is eager to hear it. Taking a personal risk to share knowledge with everyone. Violet is Prometheus: fact.
So Augustus contaminates the chocolate river. Charlie sneaks around and contaminates the vent walls. Veruca destroys and disrupts the workspace. Mike knows exactly what will happen to him and transports/shrinks himself deliberately. Violet had no idea what the gum could potentially do to her, and caused no harm to anyone or anything but herself.
Lastly: Can you imagine Charlie filling Wonka’s shoes? That passive, naive boy? Violet is already basically Wonka. She’s passionate, sarcastic, candy-obsessed, free thinking, and a total firecracker. She’s even better than Wonka, because she doesn’t endanger others.
Violet should’ve been picked to inherit the chocolate factory.
I need a high fantasy book series to obsess with since Harry Potter took over my childhood and teenage years and I no longer support she who must no be named, I need a new one to obsess over with sooo…
the Shades of London books by V.E. Schwab - lovable rogues, a wannabe pirate, parallel worlds, an evil stone, elemental and bone magic
the Daevabad trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty - a con woman, djinn, a hidden city, a despotic ruler, a forbidden religion, a prince who’s trying his best, a mythical warrior back from the dead
the Rook and Rose books by M.A. Carrick - another con woman, a city that blends Eastern Europe with Venice, tricky politics, a mysterious vigilante, a living childhood monster, magic based on sigils and on tarot
N.K. Jemisin - have not read her high fantasy, hear that it’s absolutely incredible and goes hard
the Between Earth and Sky series by Rebecca Roanhorse - pre-Columbian inspiration, a determined high priestess, a mermaid-pirate, a man who might be a god, a city torn by clans and religion, a looming eclipse, light on magic but there are giant animals
Robin Hobb - also have not read her, know that her fans are fans and she has read so many books
the Daughter of Smoke and Bone books by Laini Taylor - YA, multiple worlds, a girl pulled into a war of monsters, an enemy angel, themes of morality and trauma, tooth magic and wishes as money
Of course, you could always go with Patrick Rothfuss, George R.R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, John Gwynne too. I have heard Very Good Things from their fans. But I thought I’d recommend some women who aren’t That One (and some enbies as well).
The Damar duology by Robin McKinley - they can be read as standalones, but they are connected, two books
The Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier - technically it’s historical fantasy since it’s set in ancient Ireland, but it reads like high fantasy, six books
The Tearling Trilogy by Erika Johansen - part high fantasy and part dystopian, three books
The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin - another classic high fantasy, six books
I don’t know why Jim C Hines books aren’t more popular, especially on Tumblr. The Princess series is a retelling of sorts of well known princesses who are so bad ass, and there is LGBTQA+ rep. Same in the Magic Ex Libris series - there is bisexuality, and polyamory.
Can confirm NK Jemisin Broken Earth trilogy is amazing. Adult fantasy that doesn’t spend the whole book trying to prove that it’s an adult book written for adults. The story is very immersive with well written characters. Also has LGBTQIA+ rep and POC rep.
“The Weirdstone of Brisingamen”, “The Moon of Gomrath”, “The Owl Service” and “Elidor” by Alan Garner.
Perhaps a little lightweight nowadays, but I still come back to them once in a while after a first read nearly 60 years ago, and I like to think that’s more about the books than about me… ;->
Okay. there I’m biased, but there are plenty of other people who say the same thing.
Revisions and rewriting - in particular that of “A Wizard Alone” - make the NME (New Millennium Edition) Young Wizard ebooks the “Author’s Preferred Text”.