The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Ingrid Vooglaid
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