What is a theme of The Secret Garden?
A. People can be kind even if they are unsure of what is going on.
B. It is important to feel sorry for people who are miserable.
C. It is hard to find someone who can keep a secret.
D. Not having relationships with others can make a person unhappy.
Part B
Which detail from chapter 10 of the novel best supports the theme in Part A? Could you keep a secret, if I told you one? It’s a great secret. I don’t know what I should do if anyone found it out.’”
“Dickon looked more puzzled than ever and even rubbed his hand over his rough head again, but he answered quite good-humoredly.”
“She had never felt sorry for herself; she had only felt tired and cross, because she disliked people and things so much.”
“He said it in such an odd way that Mary wondered if he was actually a little sorry for her.”
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Part A:
The correct answer is D. Not having relationships with others can make a person unhappy.
Part B:
The detail from Chapter 10 that best supports this theme is:
“She had never felt sorry for herself; she had only felt tired and cross, because she disliked people and things so much.”
Explanation:
The Secret Garden, written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, centers around the transformative power of relationships, nature, and emotional healing. One of the key themes in the novel is how the lack of meaningful connections can lead to a life of unhappiness and bitterness. The protagonist, Mary Lennox, begins the story as a lonely, self-centered girl who has been neglected and isolated, both emotionally and physically. Her miserable attitude is the result of her lack of relationships with others, which contributes to her unhappiness.
In the story, Mary’s emotional growth is facilitated by her relationships with others. As she starts to connect with Dickon and Colin, she gradually becomes more caring, joyful, and compassionate. The theme that relationships are vital for personal happiness becomes evident as Mary learns to form meaningful bonds with those around her, particularly through her interactions with Colin and Dickon. These relationships help Mary transform from a spoiled, selfish child into a more thoughtful and compassionate individual. The garden itself becomes a symbol of this growth, as it flourishes through care and attention, much like Mary’s emotional growth through her relationships.
The line from Chapter 10, “She had never felt sorry for herself; she had only felt tired and cross, because she disliked people and things so much,” highlights Mary’s initial state of isolation and unhappiness. It shows that her dissatisfaction is not due to any specific misfortune but rather because of her inability or unwillingness to connect with others. She is shut off emotionally, which fuels her unhappiness. Over time, as Mary opens up to relationships, she learns how these bonds are essential for happiness and growth. Thus, this quote reinforces the idea that a lack of relationships can lead to unhappiness, supporting the central theme of the novel.