An Enchanting Book Summary Of The Secret Garden
By Lily | Published 19 June 2023 | Book titles and covers are affiliate links.
This quick book summary gives a peek into the captivating world of The Secret Garden. This is one of those rare and timeless stories that has been enchanting readers for generations.
This story is about a young girl, Mary Lennox, who is sent to live with her uncle in England after her parents die in India. At first, Mary is a sullen and spoiled child who is angry and resentful at the world. But everything changes when she discovers her uncle’s secret garden. With the help of her new friend, Colin, Mary brings the garden back to life and learns the true meaning of happiness and friendship.
The Secret Garden is more than just a story about a garden. It is a magical tale that teaches us the importance of hope, love, and determination. If you or your kids have never read the book, we highly recommend giving it a try!
“If you look the right way, you can see the whole world is a garden.”
The Story of Mary Lennox
The story of The Secret Garden begins with the death of Mary's parents due to a cholera epidemic in India. Ten-year-old Mary is a neglected and disagreeable looking child who has been raised by Indian servants and her wealthy parents who had little time for her. After the death of her parents, Mary is sent to live at her uncle Archibald Craven's house, Misselthwaite Manor. Mr. Craven is a recluse who is rarely seen as he is still mourning the death of his wife.
Upon her arrival at Misselthwaite Manor, Mary is met by Mrs. Medlock, the housekeeper, who is not very friendly. She is also introduced to Martha Sowerby, a friendly housemaid who becomes one of Mary's only friends. Chambermaid Martha tells Mary about the local boy, Dickon Sowerby, who is Martha's brother and is known for his way with animals and nature. Mary is left mostly to her own devices in the manor which is a cold and unwelcoming place.
Mary is fascinated by the walled garden on the estate, which has been locked up for years. With the help of Dickon, Mary discovers the garden door and begins to explore the neglected garden. She meets Ben Weatherstaff, an old gardener who is initially gruff with her but eventually becomes a friend. He gives her some garden tools and tells her to keep the garden a secret.
Mary is a determined little girl and begins to work in the garden every day, taking advantage of the fresh air and exercise. She discovers a bit of earth that is pale green and begins to dig and plant seeds. With the help of Dickon and some positive thinking, the garden begins to come to life, and Mary feels a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
The Secret Garden and Colin Craven
One day, Mary hears crying coming from a nearby room and discovers Colin Craven, her cousin and Mr. Craven's son. Colin is a sickly boy who has been bedridden his entire life and is convinced that he is going to die like his beautiful mother. Mary is initially frightened of him, but they soon become friends, and she tells him about the garden.
Colin is intrigued by the idea of the garden and begins to believe that he can walk and be healthy again. Mary and Dickon bring him to the garden, and he is amazed by its beauty and the transformative power of nature. With their help, Colin begins to exercise and eat better, and he slowly gains strength and confidence.
The Power of Nature and Positive Thinking
One day, while exploring the manor's gardens, Mary discovers a door that leads to a walled garden that has been locked up and neglected for years. With the help of a friendly robin, Mary finds the buried key to the garden and begins to bring it back to life with the help of Dickon and Martha.
As Mary works on the garden, she learns about the transformative power of nature and the importance of positive thinking. She introduces her Colin who has been confined to his room for his entire life to the beauty of the garden. With the help of Dickon and Mary, Colin begins to regain his strength and eventually learns to walk.
Meanwhile, Mary learns about the death of Colin's mother, who was Mr. Craven's wife, and the sadness that has consumed her uncle. She discovers that the garden was her aunt's favorite place and that Mary's uncle has locked it up because he cannot bear to see it. With the help of Dickon and Colin, Mary convinces her uncle to come to the garden and see it for himself.
The Characters in The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden is full of memorable characters but revolves around three main ones: Mary Lennox, Colin Craven, and Dickon Sowerby.
Mary Lennox
Mary is the central character in The Secret Garden. Ten-year-old Mary Lennox is sent from India to live with her uncle Archibald Craven in his large estate in Yorkshire, England after her parents die from cholera. She is a disagreeable-looking child who has never been loved or cared for properly. When she arrives at her uncle's estate, she is a sullen and unhappy child who does not know how to make friends.
Colin Craven
Colin is Mary's sickly cousin who has been confined to his room for his entire life. He is a pale and sickly boy who believes that he is going to die. With the help of Mary and Dickon, he begins to explore the garden and discovers that he is not as sick as he thinks. He learns to walk and eventually becomes a happier and more loving person.
Dickon Sowerby
Dickon is a local boy who helps Mary bring the garden back to life. He is a friendly and kind-hearted boy who loves nature and animals. He is also a great help to Mary and her cousin Colin, showing them how to care for the garden and introducing them to the animals that live in the moors. His love for nature and his positive attitude have a great impact on Mary and Colin, helping them to see the beauty and wonder of the world around them.
Themes of The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden is a story that explores many themes, including the transformative power of nature, the importance of friendship, and the healing power of positive thinking.
The Transformative Power of Nature
The garden in The Secret Garden is a symbol of the transformative power of nature and a central theme. Mary discovers the garden and begins to bring it back to life with the help of Dickon. The garden represents the beauty and potential of the natural world, and Mary and Colin's experiences show how connecting with nature can be healing and transformative.
The Importance of Friendship
The Secret Garden is a story about the importance of friendship. Mary, Colin, and Dickon become good friends as they work on the garden together. They support each other and help each other through difficult times. Their friendship is a source of strength and happiness for all of them.
The Healing Power of Positive Thinking
The Secret Garden is also a story about the healing power of positive thinking. Mary learns the importance of positive thinking as she works on the garden. She realizes that her thoughts have a powerful impact on her life, and she knows to think positively even in difficult situations.
Settings in The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden is set in England at the turn of the 20th century. The story takes place in Misselthwaite Manor, a large and grand estate in Yorkshire Moors. The manor's gardens, including the neglected garden, play a central role in the story, representing the beauty and potential of nature. The story also explores the contrast between the wealthy and privileged world of Misselthwaite Manor and the simple and humble world of the Sowerby family. The story also takes place during a time when wealthy British families had Indian servants, and the cholera outbreak was a common occurrence.
Misselthwaite Manor
Misselthwaite Manor is the large estate where Mary goes to live with her uncle Archibald Craven. The manor is a cold and unwelcoming place, with large hallways and empty rooms. Mary feels lost and alone in the manor, but she finds solace in the garden that she discovers.
The Secret Garden
The secret garden is the heart of the story. It is a walled garden that has been locked up and neglected for years. Mary discovers the garden and begins to bring it back to life with the help of Dickon. The garden becomes a place of healing for Mary, Colin, and eventually Mr. Craven. It is a place where they can escape from the troubles of the world and find peace and joy in the beauty of nature.
Yorkshire Moors
The Yorkshire Moors are the wild and beautiful landscape that surrounds Misselthwaite Manor. It is a place of mystery and wonder, filled with animals and plants that Mary has never seen before. The moors are a place of adventure for Mary and Dickon, and they spend many happy hours exploring the landscape.
Our Favorite Book Reviews for The Secret Garden
“The Secret Garden is an absolute classic and a must-read for all ages. The magical elements and symbolism make it a unique and captivating story that I would highly recommend.”
“The Secret Garden is a wonderful story about friendship, hope, and the power of nature. It is a timeless classic that more people should read.”
“This is a beautiful and uplifting story about self-discovery and the power of friendship. The magical elements and symbolism make it an enchanting read.”
The Legacy of The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of generations of readers. It has been adapted into numerous film adaptations and remains one of the most beloved children's books of all time.
Film Adaptations
The Secret Garden has been adapted into numerous film adaptations, including a 1993 film directed by Agnieszka Holland and a 2020 film directed by Marc Munden. These adaptations have brought the story to life on the big screen and introduced the story to a new generation of fans. However, as with any book-to-film adaptation, there are differences between the book and the movie, and it is always recommended to read the book first.
Study Guide
The Secret Garden is a popular book for children's literature studies. There are many study guides available online that provide discussion questions, vocabulary lists, and activities for young readers, including free printables from Reading Quests, as well as book-themed ideas to bring the story to life!
Conclusion
The Secret Garden is also a great introduction to classic children's novels and fantasy books. Its setting in turn-of-the-century England and its exploration of the lives of wealthy British families provide a glimpse into a different time and place. The story is also a great way to introduce children to the transformative power of nature and the importance of caring for the environment.
It is a story that has resonated with generations of readers and remains one of the most beloved children's books of all time. As parents, we can introduce our children to this wonderful book and help them develop a lifelong love of reading.
About the Author
Frances Hodgson Burnett was a prolific author who wrote many other books besides The Secret Garden. Below are a few examples for your next family read-aloud, each with its own unique charm and appeal, especially if you enjoyed The Secret Garden:
A Little Princess: This is another children's book by Frances Hodgson Burnett that tells the story of Sara Crewe, a young girl who is sent to a boarding school in London after her father dies. Despite her difficult circumstances, Sara remains kind and optimistic, and her story is a testament to the power of imagination and resilience.
The Lost Prince: This is a novel by Burnett that was published in 1915. It tells the story of Marco, a young boy who is the rightful heir to the throne of a small European country, but has been living in poverty in London. With the help of his friend, a street urchin named The Rat, Marco sets out to claim his rightful place as king.
Little Lord Fauntleroy: This is a novel by Burnett that was published in 1886. It tells the story of Cedric Errol, a young boy from New York who discovers that he is the heir to a British earldom. Cedric travels to England to claim his title and meets his grumpy grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt. Through his kind and generous nature, Cedric manages to win over his grandfather and bring happiness to his family.
The Making of a Marchioness: This is a novel by Burnett that was published in 1901. It tells the story of Emily Fox-Seton, a middle-aged woman who works as a governess and is struggling to make ends meet. When she is invited to a country estate for a visit, Emily meets Lord Walderhurst, a widower who is looking for a wife. Despite their differences in age and social status, Emily and Lord Walderhurst fall in love and get married. However, their happiness is threatened by Lord Walderhurst's scheming relatives.