The
Giving Tree has been inescapable throughout my childhood, I see it on every
bookshelf, bookstore, and library I pass, but I hadn’t bothered to pick it up
until now. You know that one bestseller
that’s been around forever, and that everyone has seen and you’ve heard so much
about that you feel like you’ve seen it without actually having seen it? Yea,
that’s my relationship with The Giving
Tree. Okay, wow, I now see why this book is on almost every bookshelf in
America. And, I’ve got to say, for a couple of hundred words, this story is
surprisingly heavy and meaningful.
I know we’re all used to children’s books with a single or maybe a couple of lessons or morals woven into the story with a nice, neat payout at the end. This kind of story is satisfying to the mind and perfect for helping with sleep. That said, The Giving Tree is not this kind of book and should probably not be read as a bedtime story.
And that’s the exactly what’s so great about it! This book makes you think. It tugs at your heartstrings in lots of different directions. Shel Silverstein is a true artist and The Giving Tree is possibly his most thought provoking work. The book is at most a five-minute read and, again, packed with layers and layers of meaning. I’ve gotten far less out of five-hundred-pagers I was stuck with for a week.
I know we’re all used to children’s books with a single or maybe a couple of lessons or morals woven into the story with a nice, neat payout at the end. This kind of story is satisfying to the mind and perfect for helping with sleep. That said, The Giving Tree is not this kind of book and should probably not be read as a bedtime story.
And that’s the exactly what’s so great about it! This book makes you think. It tugs at your heartstrings in lots of different directions. Shel Silverstein is a true artist and The Giving Tree is possibly his most thought provoking work. The book is at most a five-minute read and, again, packed with layers and layers of meaning. I’ve gotten far less out of five-hundred-pagers I was stuck with for a week.
The story is about a boy and the special relationship he has
with his favorite tree. The tree is a girl. He loves the tree, visits her every
day, and does with her all of the things boys usually do with trees. The tree
loves the boy too and is increasingly sad as the boy grows up and his visits to
the tree become less frequent. When the boy does visit and needs something, the
tree provides. The tree sacrifices for the boy. First her apples, then her branches,
and finally her trunk, leaving nothing but an old stump. Still, when the boy
returns the tree is overjoyed, and gives her all to please him. The story ends
with the boy, now an old man, desiring only to spend the rest of his days
resting near the stump. The tree warmly welcomes him back.
There are so many ways to interpret this story. It’s also
clear to me that my interpretation of the story will change as my perspective
changes. The meaning of this story depends totally on the lens through which
you view it. And that’s what makes it great! I’m sure I’ll read it again in
five years and see it in a whole new light.
I did have a few immediate thoughts when I closed the book.
For me the story brought clarity to the concept of unconditional love and I was
immediately thankful for my wonderful family and all they do for me. And all
the things we do for each other. It’s an intense feeling to know that my family
would sacrifice for me in the same way the tree sacrificed for the boy.
I also thought about the tree and how she seems to depend on
the boy for her happiness. The entire time the tree is only trying to please
the boy so he would stay, however, as soon as he leaves (pun intended) she is
instantly saddened. This reminded me to be responsible for my own happiness and
to not let my sense of self get wrapped up in anyone else. I don’t want to end
up with just my stump.
It’s important to remember to climb trees and take naps
outside in the shade. The boy in the story lost his innocence and imagination,
which I think was ultimately a source of his trouble. In life you don’t need
every single thing available because in the end it won’t make you happy.
The Giving Tree is
certainly food for thought. The story will undoubtedly leave you feeling good
about the people around you.
Take five minutes and read this book.