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My original review of The Secret Garden can be found here, and Davina Quinlaven's article can be found here.
In my review of Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden I tried to highlight its enduring themes of love, friendship, and the transformative power of positive thinking. Quinlaven's article, on the other hand, offers a fresh perspective by interpreting the novel as an early example of climate fiction. This was a totally new perspective for me but one that really struck me as such a thoughtful way to view the novel.
The article suggests that The Secret Garden explores personal healing and emphasises the restorative power of nature. As Mary, Colin, and Dickon nurture the neglected garden, they engage in a form of ecological stewardship, illustrating the profound connection between personal well-being and the environment. When viewed through this lens, Quinlaven suggests that The Secret Garden is in essence a precursor to modern climate fiction.
When I say this struck me as a thoughtful way to view the novel, I think what it did was deepen my understanding of the novel. It suggests that Burnett recognised the interdependence between nurturing the natural world and fostering personal growth. Perhaps if we develop a positive relationship with nature, we can create personal growth and ecological renewal.
[Image: Garden Museum UK]
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That’s interesting Becky. I didn’t read that conversation article. From what you say, I would call it eco-literature rather than climate fiction (or cli-fi) because I see climate fiction as having an activist if not often often dystopian element, and as being a subset of the wider “genre” of eco-literature. But that’s just me! Regardless I like the thinking!
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