The Secret Garden

Frances Hodgson Burnett

1910-1911 as a series in

The American Magazine.

1911 book, UK and USA.

The US cover by M. L. Kirk.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Garden#/media/File:Houghton_AC85_B9345_911s_-_Secret_Garden,_1911_-_cover.jpg

Frances Hodgson Burnett

24 Nov. 1849 – 29 Oct. 1924

*Manchester -> Tennessee 1865 -> England 1890-s.

*Published from age 19.

*Oldest son Lionel died of tuberculosis.

*Had an impressive garden. 

*Little Lord Fauntleroy (1885–1886)

*A Little Princess (1905)

*The Secret Garden (1911)

Setting

1. British India

2. A mansion and its gardens

in Yorkshire, England.

Illustrations by Inga Moore.

http://www.thirdstoryies.com/2015/03/10/storytime-the-secret-garden-by-frances-hodgson-burnett/​

Plot

Trailer 1987. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db5meRfsVtw​

Central themes

Rejuvenation

Healing

Character

Family

Illustration by Tasha Tudor/Harper Classics.

https://www.bustle.com/articles/31204-21-ways-the-secret-garden-prepared-us-for-adulthood​

Conflict

Fighting against one`s own character, jumping over your shadow. Mary, Colin, Sir Craven.

Self-absorption, fears, bitterness from grief, neglect, depending on others vs

caring, finding peace in concentrating on others, healthy self-reliance.

1949, the scream scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8W1_irDftg​

Characters

Mary Lennox

Orphan, moves to England to live with her uncle. Pale, skinny, bitter, demanding, lonely -> cheerful, rosy, caring. Overcomes her flaws, grows as a character.  

Mary`s parents

Neglectful, self-absorbed, interested in parties. Live in India. Die early. 

Illustration by Inga Moore.

http://www.thirdstoryies.com/2015/03/10/storytime-the-secret-garden-by-frances-hodgson-burnett/​

Dickon

Nature boy. Caring, calm, skilled, trustworthy. Lives on fresh air. Teaches Mary to care for the garden.

Dickon`s mother

Chubby, cheerful, has a large family, knows and is loved by everyone. Takes Mary under her wing.

Dickon`s sister Martha

A young maid that can`t be bossed around. Teaches Mary to care for herself.

Illustration by M. L. Kirk.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Garden#/media/File:Houghton_AC85_B9345_911s_-_Secret_Garden,_1911_-_frontispiece.jpg​

Colin Craven

Mary`s sick cousin. Hidden away, hysterical, demanding, afraid of having a hump in his back. Mary teaches him about the outside world. Healing.

Colin`s father Sir Craven

A lonely widow. Away most of the time, rarely sees his son who reminds him of his mother. Allows Mary to have a piece of land. The garden belonged to his wife.

Illustration by Tasha Tudor/Harper Classics.

https://www.bustle.com/articles/31204-21-ways-the-secret-garden-prepared-us-for-adulthood​

The gardener

Old, tired and not very friendly but loves nature. Used to care for the secret garden.

Illustration by Inga Moore.

http://www.thirdstoryies.com/2015/03/10/storytime-the-secret-garden-by-frances-hodgson-burnett/​

The robin

Shows Mary the key. Lives in the garden.

Illustration by Inga Moore?

https://www.bustle.com/articles/31204-21-ways-the-secret-garden-prepared-us-for-adulthood​

Follow-up

Imagine you found a key to

a garden that has been

locked for decades.

*What do you see there?

*What could you do there?

*Who would you take there?

Illustration by Lucy Corvino.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-garden-burnett-frances-hodgson/1131661667#/​

Sources

F. H. Burnett, The Secret Garden

Frances Hodgson Burnett

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Hodgson_Burnett 

The Secret Garden

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Garden