I think my head is going to explode. I am currently reading 5 books – a Parenting book, a Marriage book, a book about juice fasting, a novel by a friend, and an exciting (not) book about women’s hormones. I just borrowed another 3 parenting books from a friend. I’m also reading 2 children’s books and a children’s bible to my kids, attending a Mothering Bible Study (with daily homework), and I need to get stuck into those library books about home schooling…
Reading is actually a luxury for me. I haven’t read a book in a long time. I’m very excited about what I am reading. Learning a lot, which I will share soon, and enjoying the kids books. The other day I was reading The Secret Garden to the kids and they lost interest when the call of the wild echoed through the house in the form of Titus, our little friend who lives downstairs. So, Timmy and Samantha ran off with him and left me completely lost within the story of this sad little girl named Mary. An unwanted child, abandoned by those called to nurture and love her; eventually orphaned and shipped off to another dysfunctional household, where she is again rejected and emotionally abandoned. The narrative shocked me. Somehow Mary’s surly attitude, her bitterness, and her self-centeredness are her own fault, rather than the result of rejection and abandonment by her parents coupled with being pampered and coddled by servants who feared and despised her.
This is as far as I got. Motherly duties called, so I put the book down. But it really bugged me. If she has never been shown a good response, how will she know what good behaviour looks like? If she’s never been shown affection, how will she be able to give it? If her caregivers have never had the desire or courage to say ‘no’, then where will she learn the boundaries and respect she needs to function as an adult? How is she going to learn to take responsibility for her life, her attitudes and her actions… and eventually her own pain?
Perhaps my reaction to the narrative is because I am a product of the ‘psycho-babble’ generation, where we are so concerned with the psychological effects of every word and action. Whereas, The Secret Garden was written in an era where children were commodities and were seen but not heard, unless they were putting on a show for the benefit of the families reputation. So, a surly little princess would be detestable to the adults around her, even if they were the cause of her bitterness and angst.
This is the first time I’ve ever read The Secret Garden. I know the story and have seen the movie. Have you ever read The Secret Garden?? What’s your take on Mary Mary, quite contrary? Did you feel for her or were you annoyed by her?
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