Mary Lennox’s Healing Journey In The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett’s book, The Secret Garden, narrates a story of how a hidden garden becomes not simply a haven of physical beauty but also a healing sanctuary, representing renewal and growth for Mary Lennox, who arrives in England as an orphaned and emotionally isolated child. Mary experiences a dramatic internal metamorphosis as a result of her encounters with the garden and its renewing effects, regaining joy, empathy, and a sense of connection to the world around her.
Mary – A Lost And Lonely Child
Mary Lennox is presented at the start of The Secret Garden as a character who is emotionally distant and detached from life. Mary’s parents did not tend to her as she was growing up in colonial India – they put their social lives before their daughter’s needs. Mary is a sad and bitter child – this is due to a lack of affection and care. She is described as “The most disagreeable-looking child ever seen,” and has a sickly appearance. After her parents pass away unexpectedly due to a cholera outbreak, Mary is forced to live with her withdrawn uncle, Mr. Archibald Craven at the remote English moors estate known as Misselthwaite Manor.
Mary feels alienated and struggles to adjust to her new surroundings in England. The immensity and desolation of Misselthwaite Manor reflect her own emptiness, heightening her sense of abandonment. During her exploration of the grounds she discovers the “secret garden,” a walled-off portion of the estate that has long been shut and neglected. This hidden garden, is as mysterious and forsaken as Mary – it then becomes a symbol of her own isolation and abandonment, instilling in her a sense of wonder that begins to alter her vision of reality.
The Garden As A Symbol Of Healing And Renewal
The secret garden is a powerful symbol of renewal and growth, echoing Mary’s path to healing. Initially, the garden is a forgotten and forlorn place, which is much like Mary’s emotional state. The barred gate reflects the barriers Mary has created around herself while the overgrown plants and tangled weeds symbolize her unprocessed grief and neglect.
When Mary begins caring for the garden by pulling weeds and planting seedlings she unintentionally tends to her own soul. This physical task of tending to the garden becomes a metaphor for self-care, teaching her the importance of patience, responsibility, and love.
After finding the garden’s key, Mary goes inside for the first time and she feels a great sense of amazement and curiosity. Mary’s own inner potential, concealed beneath years of emotional neglect is reflected in the garden’s neglected beauty. Like the plants in the garden, Mary has the capability to rejuvenate herself just like the garden’s cyclical nature, which comes alive again with each season.
The garden’s metamorphosis from despair to blossom reflects Mary’s growing emotional enlightenment. As she works on weeding, planting, and nurturing she begins to let go of her bitterness and resentment. Gardening gives her a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which boosts her confidence. Mary transforms from an isolated child to a caring and hardworking young lady; this is brought about by the creativity, patience, and hard labor she experiences while tending to the garden.
The Garden As A Space For Building Relationships
The secret garden also serves as a learning ground for Mary in terms of friendship and empathy. Her interactions with other characters—Dickon, Colin, and even the natural world—are inextricably linked to the garden, since they all play a part in her healing path. Mary discovers true friendship for the first time when she meets Dickon, a compassionate and nature-loving boy who she shares her love for gardening with. Dickon’s passion for nature and animals inspires Mary and it teaches her to appreciate the world around her. His calm and sympathetic manner encourages Mary to open up emotionally and feel companionship and connection.
In addition to Dickon, Mary forms a bond with Colin Craven, her lonely and sickly cousin. Like the garden and Mary herself, Colin is isolated and confined to his room because of his illness and his father’s belief that he will not live long.
At first, Colin is temperamental and self-centered just like Mary was at the beginning of the story. However, Mary’s dedication to the garden and her newfound sense of compassion inspire her to help Colin. She brings him into the garden, encouraging him to believe in his own ability to heal and grow stronger. Through their shared experiences in the garden, Mary and Colin develop a sibling-like bond, each finding in the other a mirror of their own struggles and hopes.
As a result, the garden provides Mary with a safe, supportive environment in which to develop deep connections. The garden’s physical boundaries provide a private space that encourages openness and trust, enabling Mary, Dickon, and Colin to be themselves. Mary gains empathy via these encounters and realizes that she is not the only one going through hardship. Mary’s recovery depends on this sense of belonging and community since it counters her early feelings of loneliness and reaffirms the value of relationships in fostering personal development.
The Influence Of Nature On Mary’s Inner Transformation
Garden reflects Burnett’s belief in the outdoors’ restorative properties. Mary’s health and well-being are boosted by the fresh air, sunlight, and physical activity she gets from gardening. Her emotional state gradually improves as she gains physical strength and health. Nature offers Mary with a safe and supportive setting in which to lose her defenses and reveal her true self.
Also, Mary feels awe and thankfulness as a result of the garden. She gains an appreciation of the beauty of change and progress by seeing how resilient the plants are as they resurrect every spring. Mary is able to release her anger and resentment and replace them with joy and hope because to her newfound appreciation for life. She learns from the garden that, despite years of neglect, she can grow and recover just like the plants.
The healing that Mary experiences in the garden goes beyond her time in Misselthwaite Manor; it is a transformation that will shape her entire life. The Secret Garden exemplifies the healing power of nature, friendship, and self-discovery. Mary’s path exemplifies the idea that even the most neglected and secluded people can find healing and transformation through love, patience, and connection to their surroundings. The garden not only improves Mary’s health but it also awakens her soul, demonstrating that like the plants she tends she too can bloom and grow when given the opportunity.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
It’s fascinating how Mary’s physical labor in the garden parallels her emotional growth. This reminds me of research showing that gardening can reduce depression and anxiety – perhaps Mary’s journey mirrors those findings?
Indeed, gardening is therapeutic
Mary’s transformation reminds me of how physical spaces can shape our emotions. The stark difference between colonial India and the moors mirrors her inner state. The contrast emphasizes how our environments can either trap us or set us free.
True – a healthy environment is good for the mind
Her journey is relatable for anyone who has experienced loneliness.
It made me think of similar themes in Jane Eyre. The moors there also symbolize emotional transformation.
Mary’s life at first was so sad but she turned it arund. I luv how the garden helped her like it was magic.
There is a broader theme of interdependence. The garden acts as a mediating space where both characters confront and overcome their respective vulnerabilities.
I’ve always appreciated how The Secret Garden explores the idea of personal transformation through nature, but this article made me think deeper about Mary’s emotional journey. Her growth from a bitter, neglected child into someone capable of empathy and joy is mirrored so beautifully in the garden’s revival.
I’ve always found the garden in The Secret Garden to be a magical place.
The Secret Garden has always held a special place in my heart, but rewatching it as an adult brought layers of meaning I couldn’t fully grasp as a child. Growing up neglected and emotionally abused, I used this movie as a source of comfort, a way to cope with feeling unseen and unsupported. The story of Mary Lennox-a “spoiled” child not because she was indulged, but because her parents were never there to guide her-resonated deeply with my own experiences. It’s not about being spoiled; it’s about a child desperately needing reassurance and care that was never offered.
The contrast between the empathy of the children and the cold indifference of the adults in the film hit me hard. It mirrored my own life, where other kids might understand your pain, while the adults around you fail to provide that much-needed connection. Watching this as an adult was deeply moving. It was like revisiting a piece of my past that still holds so much truth for me. This film is more than a story-it’s a reflection of the inner world of children who grow up unseen, yet find their own way to bloom.
I can relate
It’s interesting how the garden becomes a metaphor for Mary’s self-care. Like the Japanese concept of “forest bathing” (shinrin-yoku) where nature provides emotional healing. Mary unknowingly practices something similar!
The garden symbolizes Mary’s inner renewal, but I wonder if it also reflects broader ideas about reconnecting with nature.
Yeah, in an age of urbanization, The Secret Garden feels more relevant than ever.
I liked the comparison between Mary’s transformation and the seasons. It’s a great reminder of how cyclic growth is – just like the garden revives in spring, people can find their way back to life after hardship.
Very true
I watched this with my daughter, having not seen it in over twenty years, and I was blown away by how delicately it handled some very tragic themes. I remember Maggie Smith’s performance being terrifying to me as a kid, but she articulates a woman who is charged with managing an estate for an aloof boss and raising what she thinks is a terminally ill child masterfully and you really have a sense of a professional that is struggling to keep her head above water with her responsibilities. The child actors were phenomenal, with the lead selling a girl whose childhood was bereft of emotional attachment, and how her intersection with Colin’s Illness builds to the two of them overcoming grief and finding their agency as people. Heydon Prowse’s tragic Lord Craven radiates a sadness so intense that it infects everything and everyone, draining the color from the estate. There is not one person on screen that was cartoonish or hyperbolic, with every action taken being grounded in reality. And despite being such a sad premise and existing in a time where death was so prevalent, the message of hope and love was so earnestly and organically built up -instead of being hamfisted or corny- that by the end of the movie the viewer really can appreciate how beautiful the world is without being told to.
When I was little I watched this and it was and still is my favourite movie of all time! When i was little i didnt understand what a masterpiece this is only now when im older i do! Probably one of the best movies for both children and adults EVER!
I agree. If you are thinking of watching it do it! You wont regret it!!!
I love Martha, i could hear her talking all the movie. Next I wanna read the book.
I wonder if Mary’s transformation would have been as profound without her uncle’s absence. The solitude she faced gave her time to process her emotions and find strength within herself.
We will never know
I was struck by how the garden serves as a place of community. It’s not just Mary’s healing space but also a meeting ground for her, Colin, and Dickon. A great metaphor for how shared goals can unite people.
Burnett was ahead of her time!
This makes me think of how therapeutic activities like gardening are sometimes used in rehabilitation programs to foster patience and mindfulness.
The garden seems like a place of rebirth, but it’s also a sanctuary.
I was more intrigued by how Mary’s sense of awe in the garden translates into gratitude.
Well, I would argue that the garden functions not only as a symbol but as a liminal space, bridging Mary’s old traumas with her emergent self.
I didn’t realize how much the garden symbolized her emotional state. It’s a beautiful reminder that healing takes time and effort, like tending a garden.
The garden’s metaphorical significance extends beyond personal healing to societal implications. Very facinating book and film that’s worth exploring. Thanks for covering it.
It’s a pleasure
I think her journey is cool because it shows that people can change if they’re given the right chances. At first, she’s super mean and doesn’t care about anything, but the garden gives her something to take care of. That’s what really got to me. The idea that taking care of something else can help you feel better about yourself. It’s kind of like how having a pet can help people when they’re sad.
I thought about pets as I was reading your comment, too. Funny, isn’t it, how we often end up needing them more than they need us (at least, it was that way with my cat).
I’ve noticed a similar trope between people in certain stories, too. For instance, some stories have a lonely or bitter adult who “warms up” after becoming a child’s guardian (ex., Heidi, Annie). Of course, with our modern understanding of guardianship and foster parenting, this doesn’t always “work,” either in real life or modern fiction. I mean, it’s never a kid’s responsibility to solve an adult’s problems. But if that adult is a generally levelheaded person who has the capacity for love and kindness, who can recognize that the kid is, well, a kid, it can still work on a smaller scale.
This film is a masterpiece. I don’t know whose idea it was to adapt this beautiful story into a movie, but we must congratulate director Agnieszka Holland.
Great movie. I remembered watching a cartoon version of this when I was a child. Kinda creepy how it looks just like the cartoon comic show?
Your article beautifully captures the transformative power of The Secret Garden and Mary’s journey from isolation to connection. I love how you tied the garden’s renewal to Mary’s inner growth—it’s such an insightful and heartfelt analysis. Great work bringing this timeless story to life!
Thank you very much 😊
Makes me realise how disconnected many of us are from nature. Mary’s arc reminds me to nurture not just our environment but also ourselves.
Dikon is my fav! He’s sooo nice to Mary!
The garden isn’t just a place, it’s a character in its own right!
Yes, and that’s what I love about it! When I was Mary’s age, one of my fantasies involved finding and tending my own secret garden. Never mind the fact I had nothing even close to a green thumb. 🙂
This movie came out when I was a little girl and I’ve loved it ever since.
I think that Kate Maberly’s role as Mary is one of the best and even though the book is a great source for the tale!
So glad to see this made the lineup! The Secret Garden was one of my favorite books as a kid, and I grew up with both the 1993 and 1975 versions (my grandma had a copy of the latter). Looking back as an adult, I love how the 1993 version especially shows Mary’s growth in tandem with the garden’s. For instance, she starts off wearing almost exclusively black, her hair is lank and has no luster, and her face is unhealthfully pale. But as the film progresses, she gains weight and color, her hair gains volume, and her costumes become more colorful. Her ending costume, for instance, is a lacy white dress with a pale blue sash and trim, and she’s wearing ribbons with her hair down in a style appropriate for a ten-year-old, rather than looking pinched and “beyond her years” in a bad way.
i kinda didn’t get why the garden was shut in the first place.
Mary’s uncle locked the garden because it was his wife’s favorite place, and a special place for the two of them to be together. Thus, when she died, he couldn’t bear to keep it open. Some adaptations, such as the 1993 film, add that she died in the garden, such as through premature labor with Colin. However, that wasn’t in the original book.
Mary wasn’t just saved by the garden itself but by the relationships it helped her build.
Yes, the healing force of nature
My dad got this movie on dvd for me when I was home sick in elementary school, and it immediately became a favorite of mine.
Aw, you have a great dad! The Secret Garden is one of my “comfort movies” as well.
Maggie Smith stole the show, but these children AND ROBIN stole my heart.
Indeed, the world will never be the same without Maggie Smith. (She had incredible range. The first role I ever saw her in was Mrs. Medlock and I thought she was deliciously scary. When I saw her as McGonagall years later, I could hardly believe how far apart the roles seemed, and yet how perfect she was).
I really appreciate all the comments under this article… Thank you 😊
Ohhhh how peaceful I feel when I garden.
I’ve only read the book, never watched the film.
It is mesmerizing in it’s simplicity.
I have seen this a few times in different versions. A wonderful story of abandoned childhood.