Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Gardens of Good and Evil: Part 1 - The Secret Garden

Image altered from Pexels.com
This is the second of two new series I’ll be sharing over the next few months.

I don’t consider myself to be obsessive even with things I geek-out over. However, my love for all things Batman, Winnie the Pooh, Betty Boop, and Gardens does sometimes border on the line of obsessive. I mean, I have an entire Pinterest Board dedicated to images of gardens. The crazy thing is, I’m highly allergic to nature; still, I’ve never let that stop me from adoring it. I guess that’s why I’ve always been drawn to stories featuring gardens, whether magical or malevolent. I like being able to have the garden experience without all the sneezing and watery eyes. And, of course, I’ve found ways to sneak nature and gardens into my own writing. In this series, I’ll be writing about some of the most influential or creative stories featuring gardens that I’ve come across.

Today I’ll be talking about one of my favorite childhood stories, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. (I’ve even enjoyed most of the movie versions of this story.)

Goodreads.com
I think the reason this story is so impactful for me is that it tells the story of a character having to adjust to culture shock and the idea of healthy relationships and a positive self-image. There are so many common and universal themes that people consider when talking about this story but rarely do I ever see comments or perspectives from other people of color.

Not everything in my reality is affected by the color of my skin, but I do often see and experience things differently than the masses because of my race and color. I could relate to Mary in this story, not because she was a misunderstood kid, like so many other kids, but because she was, for a short time an immigrant, a transplant, a person living somewhere not because she wanted to but because she had to. To me, her story was so triumphant because her identity was challenged, and, in the end, she discovered who she was despite the way she had been previously treated and raised.

The garden in this story is more than just a place for the children to express themselves away from the judgmental eyes of adults, it was a haven. In real life, not all children who live in a place where they are not wanted, have such a haven. After a traumatic experience in my early childhood, I often found small dark places to be my havens. Even to this day, when life feels overwhelming, I’ll sit in a closet and contemplate.  Sometimes I even think of gardens while I’m in there.
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COMMENTS


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nicola L Osguthorpe

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
We have a little secret garden at the back of our house. It's a magical place full of writier inspiration. Secret gardens are grest for children's books!!!
 
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Chris Weigand via Google+

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Explore the gardens with Toi
 
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Chris Weigand

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
I loved Secret Garden although I never read the book my son directed and acted in a production of the musical when he was in high school. It is a great story with a powerful message.
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Joe Bonadonna via Google+

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
#OurAuthorGang today features the first installment of a new series by Toinette Thomas on the nature of good and evil gardens in fiction.
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Joe Bonadonna

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Good stuff, Toi. I look forward to your next installment. I, too, have my allergies, but as far as gardens and hedge-mazes and such goes, I always take the chance.
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Yes. Hedge-mazes are a must.

+Toi Thomas -- all work and no play.... :)


Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Toi Thomas shares her connections with gardens in fiction and especially The Secret Garden on #OurAuthorGang today.
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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Toi Thomas shares her connections with gardens in fiction and especially The Secret Garden on #OurAuthorGang today.
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Ruth de Jauregui

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Wonderful post, Toi! I hate to admit that I haven't read the Secret Garden in so long that I can't even remember the story. But gardens as sanctuaries, oh yes! Thank you for sharing!
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I read it a lot as a kid and recently re-read it for a book club. It's worth revisisting.


Cindy Smith

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
I loved that book! Interesting to consider it from the viewpoint of an immigrant.  Good piece.
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Cindy Smith shared this via Google+

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
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Toi Thomas via Google+

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Today, I offer a new series on gardens in fiction. Part 1 discusses The Secret Garden. #OurAuthorGang
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Lorraine Carey

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Toi Thomas reveals the real secret behind a favorite piece of literature. As a reading teacher I've found many children do relate to this.
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It has so many layers. That's why it's more than a good children's book. It's just a good book.

+Toi Thomas Yes, it is. Think I may read it again.


Erika M Szabo shared this via Google+

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Erika M Szabo

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
One of my favorite stories and I loved the movie adaptation too. Growing up I had a favorite place in my dad's rose garden where he grew the climbing roses over wicker arches. It was a secret place only in my imagination, but I loved sitting there on the soft grass and daydream.
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That sounds so pretty. What a lovely memory. Thanks for sharing it.

+Toi Thomas The rose garden was my dad's hobby. The neighborhood smelled heavenly and he made rose oil and rose water from the petals :)


Nikki McDonagh

3 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Great post Toi. The Secret Garden was one of my favourite books too, still is to be honest.
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Yes, this book definitely stands the test of time.

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