Assignment One:
Please read "The Secret Garden" by September 12th.
BLOG question #1 As you read the "Secret Garden" take note of the author's use of nature in the novel. What purpose does nature (geography, animals, the garden, flowers, weather, etc.) fulfill in the novel for both the characters, the author and the reader?
Remember, please respond to my questions and two of your classmate's responses. September 12 is the deadline for answering these blog questions. You may respond to my question and your classmate's responses in the comment section below.
Assignment Two:
Research and read three different creation myths, from three different countries/cultures, regarding the creation of honeybees, fire or another subject of your choosing. Type up a summary of the myths you read and bring to class on August 29th.
Assignment Three:
Journal Entry: Entry #1 On a day of your choosing, take your journal outside and complete this assignment: Thinking back to the three creation myths you read: define creation myth and list characteristics the creation myths had in common besides their topic (fire or honeybees).
Entry #2 Choose one of the following: (1) Find out the mythological origins of these English words and sayings: Achilles Heel, Labyrinth, Titanic, Panic, Tantalize, The Midas Touch or (2) Find a nature myth that explains the formation of some geographical feature (for example, an island) and then research the scientific explanation or (3) Analyze this statement: 'Part of a myth is true'.
These assignments sound interesting. I will pass them on to the boys.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone! I just wanted to encourage you to post your responses to this blog as soon as you have finished Secret Garden. I'll get us started: A character in the novel, the robin, represents aspects of nature through both symbol and metaphor. Does anyone know about Robins? I have always heard that the robin was known as "Spring Birds." Spring symbolizes new birth or new growth. Although in Colorado, our springs tend to blend into winter and we rarely experience the fullness of spring, I think we can make the connection between spring and new birth. Does anyone want to discuss why the author might have used the Robin in the story?
ReplyDeleteI think the reason the author used the Robin is to symbolize the new "birth" of Mary and Colin. They were both once sour children and both became happy children.
DeleteGood thoughts! Does anyone have any comments about the Robin? Have you heard of any other connectiont to the Robin besides springs? How would the story have changed if the author used a crow? Would the imagery have been the same?
DeleteGarrett Rea
DeleteI think the Robin adds a cheery mood, the bird is always darting around and singing. It shows the cheery side of nature. When I see robins in the spring it makes me feel serene and cheerful. In the story Mistress Mary enjoys watching the robin and that is something I also like to do. I understand why the robin might make her happy.
The robin, in my opinion, represents love and joy. He originally beckoned Mary out of a garden where love and joy were lost, and I don’t think that the author meant that as an arbitrary detail. I believe that love is not a stagnant entity. It continually seeks us out and draws us in, as the robin did. He was the one who showed Mary the key to the garden, ever prodding her to begin to thaw the cold that was brought about my Mrs. Craven’s death. Mrs. Butler makes an interesting point when stating that the Robin is a “Spring Bird.” This inclusion of a Robin, or “Spring Bird” incorporates nature seamlessly into this story of human spiritual awakening. It makes sense that a “Spring Bird” would not like the cold, and the Robin’s personified character would therefore not like the cold in Mary’s heart or the chill that had befallen the garden after Mrs. Craven died. Therefore, he made is his duty, as the Herald of Spring, to bring joy back to the broken and dead places. The Robin leads Mary towards the Garden in an attempt to mend something that was broken. I think that the Robin was the first sign that love and joy were reawaking both in the garden, in Mary’s heart, and in the Craven estate.
DeleteJack~
DeleteI definitely agree with you! The Robin is a great symbol of rebirth, especially as he is beginning to start a family of his own inside the Garden! There is new life for the Mary, Colin, and the Robin all represented at the same time! Very good thought :)
Just as the robin is the first bird to sing in the morning, it was the first to draw Mary to the garden. I think this was great symbolism used by the author. The robin seems to watch over them, even as they exercise and on to the end of the day. He opens and closes the day with his tune in nature. as well.
DeleteHey guys!!! Can't wait for class on Wednesday. Anyway, I just wanted to make the comparison of the roses in the garden and the children. (Mary and Colin) Anyway, i realized that the roses and the children both grew more beautiful the more Colin and Mary worked on them. Mary and Colin grew more when they worked out, and eat, etc. The more the children watered and worked on the roses the more they grew. I hope that makes sense, Hope y'all have a great day before class.
ReplyDeleteGarrett
DeleteJack I also noticed that the roses seemed to bloom more beautifully as the days went by. The children become more cheerful and happier as the roses grew.
Mrs. Craven had loved her roses like they were children. (Chapter 10) it is a parodox that it is her own son who eventually cares for them as she did.
DeleteGarrett Rea
ReplyDeleteIn the Secret Garden the weather plays an important part in creating the mood of the reader, the characters, and maybe even the author. When it is a sunny day the characters seem more joyful. However, when the author describes it as a cloudy day, the characters are stuck inside and are moody. The descriptions of weather adds more detail for the readers imagination. It helps me create a better picture in my head of the scene.
Interesting. I never focused on the weather. I'll have to go back and read Secret Garden with that in my mind. Good job Garret!
DeleteNature has a lot to do with the progression of the plot in the Secret Garden. I agree with both Garrett and Jack. At the beginning of the story, Mary is unhealthy, yellow, and thin. She has a sour attitude and is apathetic about life. Colin is also sickly, lying all day on his bed or couch and constantly complaining. Referring to the nature theme, the moor is bare, and sunlight is absent from the book's descriptions of the weather.The garden is dead.
DeleteBy the end of the book, Mary and Colin have both grown strong and healthy. They care about something other than themselves. They understand the meaning of work and play, and the garden is flourishing. Cold winter turns to Spring, which turns to Summer.
I think that the many descriptions of nature in the Secret Garden greatly add to the mood and aura.
(This is Maddie, our computer just isn't working very well, so sorry if it says this is from "google account"
I agree with Garrett, weather does play a significant part in setting the tone of the story. The weather almost seems to reflect the state of the character’s psyche. For example, the hot, humid weather of India could represent lethargy or a reluctance to change. Winter and cold is when Mary is most contrary, but as the weather begins to warm, so does Mary. Very interesting idea Garrett!
DeleteIt's interesting that weather could affect the characters in the book so greatly but all weather appeases plants.
DeleteI really like what you said about the weather I find that it not only affects the characters but also the reader. I found that when I would read about a dark and stormy day, my mood became more somber.
DeleteWith regards to the role that nature plays in this novel, I think that it is a very crucial one. For the characters, nature is a redemptive force, especially for Mary and Colin. For Mary, her experience with nature is a more abstract version of photosynthesis. She was awakened and fueled by the moor, by the wind, and by the Robin, an she took that newfound life and poured it back into Colin. They both became stronger and more alive as they put their energy back into the Garden, and eventually, Colin diverted that life into his father. It all seems to be a sort of life-giving cycle. The author also takes these parallels to the next level, adding more and more descriptive language as Mary begins to see the beauty arounds her.
ReplyDeleteEven small things, such as wind and roses, although not directly connected to characters, symbolize much deeper ideas. The wind of the moor essentially heals Mary, making her more robust and curious, not only about the Garden, but about the emotions she has repressed all her life. The wind also blows the ivy back from the Garden door, as if it knows that both Mary and the Garden need healing. One piece of imagery that I love from the book comes with the roses in the Garden. Roses are traditionally a symbol of love and in the Garden, they all seem to be dead. But as the spring comes and the garden is nurtured by the children, it is revealed that the roses, and symbolically love, are indeed alive! The most fascinating thing of all, in my opinion, is the tree in the Garden. This is the tree that indirectly killed Mrs. Craven, but the roses have climbed all over it, making it the most beautiful thing in the Garden. To me, the author did a wonderful job of incorporating nature into this very redemptive picture of the saying “Love conquers all.”
On a spiritual level, I believe that nature was meant to represent God. There are so many instances where it seems that something in nature is nurturing the awakening of love, joy, forgiveness and peace in the characters. Especially in the Garden, the “Magic” seems to open the eyes of Mary and Colin, teaching them about the wonderful life they have been given. In some sense, the Garden is a bit like the Garden of Eden described in Genesis. The death of Mrs. Craven is almost a parallel to the loss of innocence in Eden when Eve ate the fruit. In turn, Mr. Craven and Adam went down a dark path as well. Something died in each of those examples, whether it be a person, or a promise, or an eternity. But in the Secret Garden, that death was reconciled by nature blowing life into the most broken of people. In real life, as we know, that death was reconciled by the coming of a Savior who breathes life back into the brokenness of humanity.
Also, sorry that was kind've long, I really loved the imagery in this book!!
Delete~Janae
I like Janae's comparison to photosynthesis. It's like Mary and Collin were absorbing sunlight as if they had chlorophyl and were energized by the waves.
DeleteJohn 12:24 talks about the new life that follows death. "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." Similarly, from Mary's and Colin's bitterness and sorrow sprouted goodness and joy.
DeleteOf all the characters in The Secret Garden, Dickon is the most affable. Even the the animals find him so. “Well," said Martha stoutly, "I've told thee that th' very birds likes him an' th' rabbits an' wild ponies.”(chapter seven) He seems to interact with both the flora and the fauna in the novel. He takes on orphaned animals and can speak to them. Mary does not find this the bit strange as she came from India where there are snake charmers.
ReplyDeleteWe always find Dickon outside. When not with Mary and Colin he can be found “planting or tending potatoes and cabbages, turnips and carrots and herbs for his mother" (chapter 24) Before their transformation we find Colin hiding inside and Mary “quite contrary.”
It is likely that Francis Hodgson Burnett created Dickon to contrast what Mary and Colin lacked, an interconnection with flora and fauna. As the reader I see this combination of man and nature leading to a selfless character like Dickon’s.
In the novel The Secret Garden, the characters mimic the seasons:
ReplyDeleteWinter- Mary arrives at Misselthwaite Manor. She is “yellow, pasty, and thin.” Colin is pale, weak and ill. Likewise, the moors of Yorkshire, England are gloomy and foggy in winter. In winter the garden was found to be full with tall grass, branching unkept trees,
and small fernlike plants- not yet blooming.
Spring- Mary and Dickon begin to care for the garden. Crocus, daffodil, and silver bell flowers begin to bloom. Equally, Mary becomes more lively and “nowt nigh so yeller”
Mary finds Colin and gets him to come to the garden. He stands.
Summer- Flowers and Ivy grow along the walls, roses are everywhere, Life is in bloom and the garden is wick (alive). Mary is so well that you can barely tell she was ever dour (gloomy) and sickly. Colin no longer thinks he will die.
Fall- “Late roses climbed and hung and clustered, and the sunshine deepening the hue of the yellowing trees made one feel that one stood in an embowered temple of gold.” (Chapter 27 )This is when Mr. Archibald Craven returns.
The author and reader relate to nature as well-
The Author:
The author of The Secret Garden, “Frances Eliza Hodgson, was born on November 24, 1849, in Manchester,” an industrial city in England. After her father had a stroke, she emigrated to America, where she lived a rural life. This probably influenced her writing. Much later in life “she leased a country house in England where she immersed herself in her passion for gardening. The estate was surrounded by several walled gardens, one of which, a rose garden, served as her outdoor workroom. It was here that the idea of The Secret Garden was born.”
The Reader:
As I read The Secret Garden I thought about our outdoor classroom which gives me the opportunity to experience life as it happens in nature. As I do my math I see a robin or stellar jay fly by. As I read The Secret Garden, I noticed a hummingbird drinking nectar from an ambrosia plant. Nature has always been a part of my life not something that I usually examine.