GROUP 5: Geraldine C.

Missiona
Ben B. Moloboco

TOPIC: THE GIVING TREE

BY: SHEL SILVERSTEIN

BACK GROUND OF THE AUTHOR

Sheldon Allan Silverstein –
(September 25, 1930
May 10, 1999) was an American writer, poet, cartoonist, singer- songwriter, musician
and playwright. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Silverstein briefly attended
university before being drafted into the United States Army. During his rise to
prominence in the 1950’s, his illustration was published in various newspapers and
magazines, including the adult-oriented Playboy. He also wrote a satirical, adult-
oriented alphabet book, Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book, under the stylized name “Uncle
Shelby”, which he uses as an occasional pen name.
BORN: September 25, 1930
Chicago, Illinois. U.S
DIED: May 10, 1999 (aged of 68)
Key West, Florida, U.S

BACKGROUND OF THE STORY

The Giving Tree is an American children picture book written and illustrated
by Shel Silverstein. First published in 1964 by Harper & Row, it has become one of
Silverstein’s best-known titles, and it has been translated into numerous languages. The
book was widely acclaimed for dealing with mature themes and conveying a deep moral
of sacrifice and unrequited love. This book has been described as “one of the most
divisive books in children’s literature “; the controversy stems from whether the
relationship between the main character (a boy and the eponymous tree) should be
interpreted as positive (i.e., the tree gives the boy selfless love) or negative (i.e., the boy
and the tree have an abusive relationship).

SETTING (Physical, Temporal)

The setting is in a forest, more towards the residential side of the area.
CHARACTERIZATION CHARACTER WEB

Tree Boy

CONFLICT
But the boy stayed away for a long time. And when he came back, the tree
was so happy she could hardly speak. “Come, boy,” she whispered, “come and play.” “I
am too old and sad to play,” said the boy. “I want a boat that will take me far away from
here. Can you give me a boat?” “Cut down my trunk and make a boat,” said the tree.
“Then you can sail away and be happy.” And the boy cut down her trunk and made a
boat and sailed away. And the tree was happy. But not really.

CLIMAX
But the boy stayed away for a long time and the tree was sad. And then one
day the boy came back and the tree shook with joy and she said, “Come, boy, climb up
my trunk and swing from my branches and be happy.” “I am too busy to climb trees,”
said the boy. “I want a house to keep me warm,” he said. “I want a wife and I want
children, and so I need a house. Can you give me a house?” “I have no house,” said the
tree. “The forest is my house, but you may cut off my branches and build a house. Then
you will be happy.”

SOLUTION
And after long time the boy came back again. “I am sorry, Boy,” said the tree,
“but I have nothing left give you my apples are gone.” “My teeth are too weak for
apples,” said the boy. “My branches are gone,” said the tree. “You cannot swing on
them” “I am too old to swing on branches,” said the boy. “My trunk is gone,” said the
tree. “You cannot climb” “I am too tired to climb,” said the boy. “I am sorry,” sighed the
tree. “I wish that I could give you something, but I have nothing left. I am just an old
stump. I am sorry” “I don’t need very much now,” said the boy, “just a quiet place to sit
and rest. I am very tired.” “Well,” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she
could, “well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down
and rest.” And the boy did. And the tree was happy.
CULTURAL IMPLICATION
The giving tree considers the nature of altruism and the obligation to give of
oneself in a relationship. Once there was a tree who loved a little boy. Every say the boy
would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her
trunk and the tree was happy.

SYMBOLISM
Tree – symbolize as a parent.

THEME
The Giving Tree, is fairly straightforward and simple: it teaches us the dangers
of being selfish. It shows us what happens when we take and take and do not give in
return. We have, in so many ways, channeled both the tree and the boy throughout our
lives. The theme of this story is that when coming of age, you learn there are more
important things than materials.