The Garden, a symbolism

The Garden

After reading most of the chapters, one can already fully understand the meaning of the garden in the novel. Believe it or not, this place has gone through different chances because, at the beginning, the Secret Garden was originally meant for two people Archibald and Lilias to celebrate their love. They were an inseparable couple who loved each other sincerely and this setting was their refuge to escape from the cruel world of outside.

Nevertheless, the garden suddenly became a sad and horrible place where instead of being a place that Craven never wanted to leave, it became the last place where he wanted to be. All of these happened due to the fact that his wife died tragically in the garden. In this matter, Craven looked the garden with other eyes, but Colin, his son, started to understand or realize how the garden could change his life or his feelings at least. Mrs. Sowerby helped him comprehend the garden by expressing }Thy own mother's in this 'ere garden, I do believe~. This means that he should see the garden as a spiritual place of connection with his mother and that is what he did. Colin spent more time in the garden and he was finally able to look at his mother's portrait again.

Therefore, the garden seems to be the home of Lilias where she is waiting for Craven and Colin, but unless they start changing their behavior they will not feel her. Moreover, Mary also has a story with the garden and this consists in her first visit to the garden. When she had the chance to get into the garden this was in a detrimental situation, just like her life. Mary has been suffering a lot because of her parents and the incomprehension; thus, I believe one can compare the garden with her multiple problems. However, once she started restoring the garden, she also began to grow as a person. This demonstrates that the garden is a reflection of growth or evolution. If the characters learn from their mistakes and behave effectively, the garden will come alive again. Even a sort of peace has arrived in the Craven family.

Overall, there is definitely a connection between the characters and the garden and it consists of being a good and a happy person so that your life can be transformed immensely.

Painted by Marie Southarn Ospina

The Secret Garden film 1993