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A review by mullemit
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
4.0
There are at least two ways of reading this book. One way puts the needs of children at the center, their innocence justifies the means with which they learn to thrive. Mary and Colin are awful but neglected children who become happy and agreeable with the proper food, mental and physical stimulation, and care (also christianity?). It’s a portrayal of physical but also (perhaps mostly) mental recovery from severe illness framed by the changing seasons and the magic of childhood and the Earth. At times almost a modern perspective.
In other ways it’s a very poorly aged perspective. Colin’s physical health is tied to his mental health to the degree that he mostly thinks himself well. And in his attempts to surprise his father he deceives everyone responsible for his care, the people feeding him, wheeling him about in his chair, and his doctor into thinking he is ill when he is not. Mary has her perspectives challenged by meeting her cousin, by watching him be rude and entitled she wields those very same qualities over him and they mellow each other out, but neither ever really gets rid of their sense of superiority. Their support cast who’re primarily servants are just as much a part of the Magic that Colin wishes to go out into the world to study. From food to laundry to the amount of time they are encouraged to play and relax it is all provided by hardworking servants and enjoyed by Mary and Colin who take full credit for their own recoveries.
It is true that without motivation or hope or whatever it is the narrative describes as a lightness and a desire for life it is very possible to go years or one’s whole life feeling weighed down or even ill. But the people around you whether they be servants or loved ones deserve partial credit in your improvements. And it is a harmful message to send to people with disabilities who no matter how hard they hope or try will never get up and out of their chair. They (as is everyone) are still complete and worthy of parental love and attention.
In other ways it’s a very poorly aged perspective. Colin’s physical health is tied to his mental health to the degree that he mostly thinks himself well. And in his attempts to surprise his father he deceives everyone responsible for his care, the people feeding him, wheeling him about in his chair, and his doctor into thinking he is ill when he is not. Mary has her perspectives challenged by meeting her cousin, by watching him be rude and entitled she wields those very same qualities over him and they mellow each other out, but neither ever really gets rid of their sense of superiority. Their support cast who’re primarily servants are just as much a part of the Magic that Colin wishes to go out into the world to study. From food to laundry to the amount of time they are encouraged to play and relax it is all provided by hardworking servants and enjoyed by Mary and Colin who take full credit for their own recoveries.
It is true that without motivation or hope or whatever it is the narrative describes as a lightness and a desire for life it is very possible to go years or one’s whole life feeling weighed down or even ill. But the people around you whether they be servants or loved ones deserve partial credit in your improvements. And it is a harmful message to send to people with disabilities who no matter how hard they hope or try will never get up and out of their chair. They (as is everyone) are still complete and worthy of parental love and attention.