The Secret Garden Book Summary

The Secret Garden – Zest to Find the Hidden Garth

Short Summary:

 “The Secret Garden” is a remarkable book identifying the therapeutic power prevailing in mother nature. This novel is magnificently noted by the American writer Frances Hodgson Burnett in 1911. The exceptional narration depicts the magical effect of living in pure nature on humans and the great bonding between the siblings. Indeed, the novel is set in the 20th century, and talks about a girl going through a rough childhood and the ways she calms down to hunt down a Secret Garden that her aunt was fond of. Indeed, the novel has been widely appreciated and considered a classic in the category of English Literature for children. 

Detailed Analysis of the Novel’s Aspects:

Meeting the Characters:

This novel is about a girl Mary Lennox who has had a troubled childhood. This means that she was an unwanted child of a rich couple, who always ignored her. But, all the requirements of Mary were taken care of by the servants in the house and this turned her to be stubborn. She grew up to be a spoiled child and was later sent to her uncle Archibald Craven by the British soldiers. Indeed, she is accompanied by her maid Lily, and starts befriending another maid Martha at her uncle’s house. Certainly, Martha told her about her aunt Lilias Craven’s death and fondness for a secret garden. In the wake of finding the garden, she meets Archibald’s son Colin who is locked in the room because of his inability to get on his feet. 

Hunting the Secret Garden:

When Martha tells Mary about the secret garden and the story of Archibald’s locking the garden after Lilias's death. She further informs her that the key to the secret garden’s door is buried in the disturbed soil around the manor. In the wake of finding the secret garden, Mary’s attitude starts cooling down. She starts enjoying the company of the servants and liking the moors. Besides this, she takes an interest in nature and starts understanding its worth. After some days, she finds the key to the secret garden and asks Martha to get gardening tools. The tools are brought by her brother Dickon. 

Beautifying Garden and Betting Colin’s Health:

When Mary opens the door of the secret Garden, she discovers the garden in an utterly shabby condition. Mary, Lilly, and Dickon put Colin in the wheelchair and brought him out for the first time in years. He is happy to see the world around him. All of them go to the Secret Garden and start beautifying it. In fact, all of them encourage Colin to start walking after he stands on his feet. The entire group of Mary, Colin, Dickon, and Lilly keeps the secret of beautifying the garden and Collin’s health hidden from everyone. Their purpose is to surprise his father Archibald who is travelling abroad. 

When Archibald returns from his journey abroad, he starts walking around the garden and remembering his deceased wife. Suddenly, he finds the door of the Secret Garden open and is amazed to see all the kids inside the garden. Another surprise to him is that Collin has started walking and does not need a wheelchair anymore. Even, the other servants of the house are amazed to see Collin walking. Then, the novel ends with all of them walking back to the Manor hand-in-hand and being much happier souls.