The Secret Garden — Anybody want to read it with me in March?
A fragile 1911 copy my sister picked up for me
“There’s naught as nice as the smell o’ good clean earth. Except the smell o’ growin’ things when the rain falls on ‘em.”
The Secret Garden is one of my childhood favorites, one of those books where I pick up every new cover I find. I love to read it in the early spring as the world around me wakes up. Anybody want to give it a go with me this month?
I thought it might be fun to read with friends with some book club questions in mind and everyone picks a few to answer and share at the end of the month.
The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Character & Development Questions
How does the Yorkshire dialect (used by Martha and Dickon) impact the story, and why might the author have included it?
Mary begins as "disagreeable" and Colin as "tyrannical." Do you find them sympathetic, and why does the book use such unlikable characters initially?
Compare the upbringing of Mary and Colin to that of Dickon. How does this shape their personalities?
How do Mary and Colin mirror each other, and how do they help each other grow?
Does Mr. Craven deserve redemption for his neglect of Colin?
Themes & Symbolism Questions
Is the garden itself a character? How does its physical transformation reflect the emotional state of the children?
How does the author explore the idea that "thoughts" can create physical change (related to the New Thought movement)?
What is "Magic" in the context of this book? Is it spiritual or simply a metaphor for nature and positivity?
How does the book compare the "fallen world of adults" (neglectful parents) with the natural world of children?
Personal Reflection & General Questions
Have you ever had a "secret place" that was special to you?
Do you agree with the book’s premise that nature and outdoor activity can heal emotional and physical ailments?
This book was published in 1911. Why do you think it remains a beloved classic today?
What is the most inspiring scene in the book?
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