ParentsPick

The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) — Content Guide for Parents

By Frances Hodgson BurnettIndependently published2023ISBN 9798373706285202 pages
The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel)

Themes present

Violence
Religious themes
Climate change

Not found

Scary contentRacial/cultural contentProfanitySexual identityGender rolesLGBTQ+ themes

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

Get the full theme breakdown in the app

Detailed evidence, confidence ratings, and source citations for every theme.

Download for iOS

Example theme card

Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

"When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle's great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. The mansion has nearly one hundred rooms, and her uncle keeps himself locked up. And at night, she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors. The gardens surrounding the large property are Mary's only escape. Then, Mary discovers a secret garden, surrounded by walls and locked with a missing key. One day, with the help of two unexpected companions, she discovers a way in. Is everything in the garden dead, or can Mary bring it back to life? One of the most delightful and enduring classics of children's literature, The Secret Garden has remained a firm favorite with children the world over ever since it made its first appearance. Initially published as a serial story in 1910 in The American Magazine, it was brought out in novel form in 1911."-Amazon

Frequently asked questions

  • Is The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The narrative includes instances of emotional distress and physical actions such as Mary throwing herself into a passion and kicking, which could be interpreted as mild violence. However, it does not depict serious or graphic violence. The book does not contain genuinely frightening content. While it deals with themes of loss and emotional turmoil, it is ultimately a story of healing and transformation.

  • Does The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) have violence?

    The narrative includes instances of emotional distress and physical actions such as Mary throwing herself into a passion and kicking, which could be interpreted as mild violence. However, it does not depict serious or graphic violence.

  • Does The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) have scary content?

    The book does not contain genuinely frightening content. While it deals with themes of loss and emotional turmoil, it is ultimately a story of healing and transformation.

  • Does The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) have religious themes?

    The book reflects themes related to healing and positive thinking, which some sources connect to Christian Science and theosophy, though it does not explicitly promote any religious practices. The influence of these beliefs on the narrative is noted but not central.

  • Does The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) have racial/cultural content?

    Race is not a central theme in the book. The narrative focuses on the personal growth of the characters rather than racial dynamics or issues.

  • Does The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) have profanity?

    There is no profanity in the book. The language used is appropriate for children and does not include any offensive words.

  • Does The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) have climate change?

    The story emphasizes a love of nature and the healing power of the garden, which can be interpreted as an early work of climate fiction. It portrays the environment as a transformative element in the characters' lives.

  • Does The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) have sexual identity?

    No sexual content is present in the book. The narrative focuses on themes of friendship, healing, and nature without any sexual themes or implications.

  • Does The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) have gender roles?

    The book features a female protagonist, Mary, but does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. The story centers on personal growth and relationships rather than gender expectations.

  • Does The Secret Garden The Original 1911 Edition (a Frances Hodgson Burnett Classic Novel) have lgbtq+ themes?

    No LGBTQ+ themes are explicitly present in the book. While some discussions reference the term 'queer' in a historical context, it does not indicate any LGBTQ+ content or themes within the narrative of the book itself.