The first lesson that The Giving Tree presents is often overlooked. As humans, people are not able to differentiate between what they want and need. In the story, as the boy grew older he became materialistic and impertinent. Shel Silverstein writes,"I am too big to climb and play” said the boy. "I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money?" "I'm sorry," said the tree, "but I have no money.” This text from the book shows that because the boy has grown up he is unwilling to play around like the child he once used to be. He has taken advantage of the trees kindness by being greedy and only seeks pleasure and adventure. As a result of the boy taking from the tree throughout his youth and middle ages, he was unable to see the his cold
Jared’s harsh environment suggests something will have to change in his life. No child should have to live in an unstable environment where nothing is provided for them. Ron Rash writes, “ On Monday morning the Baggies were empty and his parents were sick. His mother sat on the couch wrapped in a quilt, shivering” (285). Jared’s parent’s cocaine addiction is to the point that they need it to survive. His parent’s drug addiction obstructs their ability to provide for him. Jared realizes his parent are improvising with a log because they are incapable of providing a real Christmas tree when he converses with his dad, “‘you and your momma go ahead and light our Christmas tree. I’ll be back in a few minutes.’ ‘It’s not a Christmas tree,’ Jared said. ‘Sure it is, son,’ his father replied, ‘it’s just one that’s chopped up is all’” (283). He cannot keep living a life with no hope that his parents will provide for him. He will probably not make much of himself in life knowing his parents cannot provide for him due to their addiction.
The tree “swings through another year of sun and leaping winds, of leaves and bounding fruit.” This sentence evokes images of happiness and serenity; however, it is in stark contrast with “month after month, the whip-crack of the mortgage.” The tone of this phrase is harsh and the onomatopoeia of a “whip crack” stirs up images of oppression. The final lines of the poem show the consequences that the family accepts by preserving the tree—their family heritage. When the speaker judges the tree by its cover she sees monetary value, but when she looks at the content in the book she find that it represents family. Even though times may be tough for the family, they are united by memories of their ancestors.
The poignant book known as The Giving Tree, is loved by many people of all ages. “Silverstein was born on September 25, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois and began writing and drawing a...
The Giving Tree was first published in 1964 by Harper & Row and was written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. Silverstein was a controversial children’s book author due to his long connotation with Playboy and his lack of patience around families. Despite this, Silverstein sold more than ten million copies of The Giving Tree. It remains a classic picture book. It has a prominent green cover but the words and pictures are black and white and displayed in a minimalistic way. There are many interpretations of what the actual relationship of the boy and tree is based on. A mother and son’s bond is one that always circulates through discussions, but a religious view is an interesting way to interpret this book. God is portrayed as the tree giving the young child who grows into adulthood, his unconditional love with little to no return. There are also many biblical allusions from the
At the end of the story, Scrooge sends the Cratchit family a huge turkey and for the first time he does not care about announcing who gave this wonderful gift. Scrooge has learned that “giving is more important than receiving and the gift is one of profound pleasure” (English works). Finally, Scrooge has learned the true meaning of being a compassionate and loveable
Scrooge had his whole life revolved around money due to his harsh past. We, as readers, can distinguish the results of this complication as the novel proceeds. Thus, creating the man he was in the introduction of the book, and constructing the image of Scrooge’s sorrow filled life. There was a great deal of development from our protagonist throughout the book.
One theme of The Giver is “the importance of being an individual.” One topic is “growing up.”
The play opens up with the Christmas tree being symbolic. The tree symbolizes Nora’s position in the Helmer household. The tree can also symbolize Nora’s personality. In the play the Christmas tree is a materialistic object used only for
In this Stave, Dickens shows the importance of kindness by showing Scrooge’s absence of it and the effects of his harmful indifference. Scrooge is taken into his own past and shown memories of when he was young. The Ghost shows him scenes of when he was small and alone on Christmas. This memory makes him regret his harshness towards a young caroler that had come to his door the previous day. He sees that he lacked kindness and wishes he gave something to the caroler. His indifference towards the caroler insured that Scrooge would remain alone. The Ghost also reminds Scrooge of his beloved sister, Fannie who had died and left only her son. “’Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered,’ said the Ghost. ‘But she had a large heart!’ ‘So she had,’ cried Scrooge. ‘You’re right. I will not gainsay it, Spirit. God forbid!’ ‘She died a woman,’ said the Ghost, ‘and had, as I think, children.’ ‘One child,’ Scrooge returned. ‘True,’ said the Ghost. ‘Your nephew!’ Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind; and answered briefly, ‘Yes.’” (pg. 33-34). Scrooge’s only connection to his kind and gentle sister is his nephew, who also shares Fannie’s sweet nature. Scrooge is then filled with regret because of his callous treatment and lack of relationship with his nephew, who only wanted to be kind and spread the joy of the season. Scrooge’s sheer indifference and lack of kindness towards his nephew prevented
Charity is a trait that is always a blessing to someone else, and The Singing Tree displays just how wonderful it can
“A Christmas Carol” written by Charles Dickens, is about a man named Ebenezer Scrooge , who realizes that all actions in life has a consequence. Ebenezer Scrooge was a nasty, mean, and cold-hearted person. He wouldn’t let his employees take off work for Christmas, he was rude to visitors that came to see if he would donate money and he was greedy. In fact he was so greedy that the woman he was engaged to called off the engagement because he was becoming to greedy. This is one example of actions have consequences. Another example is he was being rude to Bob Cratchit and wouldn’t let have the day off for Christmas in fact he wanted to work more. As a result, he had to witness and his own niece and nephew laughing
Although The Giving Tree was published after women were ruled to be people and given the right to vote, females continue to be disadvantaged by society in modern day. Silverstein's writing was and remains to be relevant. The entire chronicle is about the man finding a void in his life and then proceeding to harm the tree in order to fill it. Originally, he harmlessly plays on her brances. While this leaves no lasting harm, when he comes next the boy takes her apples to sell for money. It is clear that he prioritizes himself over the tree as some men felt towards women throughout history. By the end of the story the man has taken everything from the tree and simply uses the tree as “an old stump... good for sitting [on]” (2). The man shows no remorse in destorying the tree for his own
Why was a gift of a child needed in this story? Why not a sum of money or some other less extreme sacrifice?
The beginning of the play portrays the Christmas tree as being well put together and beautiful, the same way as the protagonist, Nora. Her relationship with her husband Torvald can be considered to be picture-perfect, a fact that can be contributed mostly to her subservience. As long as Nora knows her place in the home and remains compliant, their relationship seems wonderful. Nora’s blind obedience at the opening of the play is evident as she adorns the tree with beautiful flowers and candles, promising to “do everything [she] can think of to please,” even offering to sing and dance for his pleasure (Act 1). This exemplifies the way Nora still works to maintain the appearances of both her family and her tree, dressing the tree so that it is “splendid” and also promising to do Torvald’s bidding to ensure his contentment. It also establishes a correlation between the ...
The Christmas tree, a festive object meant to serve a decorative purpose, symbolizes Nora’s position in her household as a plaything who is pleasing to look at. Ibsen’s use of the Christmas tree is portrayed throughout the play. The Christmas tree symbolized Nora’s feelings. In the First act there is a festive tree with “pretty red flowers” and Nora comes in the house carelessly. Nora’s mood is festive and tree gives a merry glow to the reader. At the end of act 1, Nora has been threatened by krogstad that if she doesn’t help him keep the job, he will tell Torvald about the illegal loan. Torvald on the other hand believes that Krogstad “forged someone name” and will be fired. So in act II, the tree is striped of his ornaments. In the act the tree is dropping along with Nora’s Hope and Happiness. The tree helps the reader fell the anxiety of Nora’s feelings. A Christmas tree itself is a symbol for joy so that is why it is used. Through all times and even in the bible trees and flowers have been a subject of wonderment; a symbol of life, that is why Ibsen uses this as a symbol of Nora’s feelings.