Children's Literature Fiction

The Secret
Garden
Author Years Published Original Language
Frances Hodgson Burnett 1910–11 English

SYMBOLS

A Secret That When Mary’s parents die in India, she is sent to live in England with her
mysterious and mostly absent uncle, Mr. Craven. As she learns to entertain
Unlocks Life herself and play outdoors, Mary gains strength and discovers a hidden
cousin, Colin, and a secret garden. Cultivating the garden and friendships
leads to healing for Mary, Colin, and nature.

Roses Secret Garden

Represent children Symbolizes motherhood

as they are orphaned, and its secure, positive
neglected, and nurtured influence

Eggs, Seeds & Bulbs

Stand for the creation of

new life and rejuvenation

Themes

Healing Magic Positive Thinking

Nature, positivity, and magic A greater power nurtures and Removing negative thoughts
help heal the garden as well as helps characters influence each leaves room for growth and
people's lives and relationships. other in healthy ways. positive change.

The Secret Garden

Author
by the Numbers

1949 1962
Year the first film adaptation Year The Secret Garden was
of The Secret Garden was illustrated by Tasha Tudor,
released bringing renewed attention
from critics and readers FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT
1849–1924

Burnett wrote novels, plays, and

stories for adults as well as children.
Her sons’ illnesses may have
influenced the characters Colin
and Mary in The Secret Garden,
1 10 which she based on her own
gardening experience. With the
Children’s poem that inspired Years the secret garden key help of a 1960s illustrated edition,
Mistress Mary, the working has been buried when Mary the book became a classic.
title for The Secret Garden finds it

Main Characters

Dickon Sowerby

Country lad with a strong

connection to nature; SO
N
helps Mary and Colin tend
the garden

S
FR

D
N
IE

IE
N

FR
D
S

Ben Weatherstaff Mrs. Sowerby

Not-so-solitary, gruff Wise, practical mother;

gardener; helps the children helps feed Mary and Colin
in the secret garden

FRIENDS

Mary Lennox Colin Craven

Cranky, self-absorbed girl; Fragile, sickly, neglected
transforms because of child; gains health while
fresh air, exercise, and the working in the garden
garden's magic

N
N

O
IE

S
C
E

MARRIED
Mrs. Craven Mr. Craven
Kind creator of the secret Bitter, hunchbacked man;
garden; died 10 years still grieving his wife’s
before the story untimely death
takes place

t first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing

can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done,
then they see it can be done—then it is done and all the
world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.
Narrator, Chapter 27

Sources: The Annotated Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett,

Encyclopaedia Britannica, Frances Hodgson Burnett by Gretchen Gerzina,
IMDb, TashaTudor.com

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