The Secret Garden (1909) is one of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s most popular novels. The book tells the story of Mary Lennox, a spoiled, contrary, solitary child raised in India but sent to live in her uncle’s manor in Yorkshire after her parents' death. She is left to herself by her uncle, Mr. Craven, who travels often to escape the memory of his deceased wife. The only person who has time for Mary is her chambermaid, Martha. It is Martha who tells Mary about Mrs. Craven's walled garden, which has been closed and locked since her death. Mary becomes intrigued by the prospect of the forgotten garden, and her quest to find out the garden's secrets leads her to discover other secrets hidden in the manor. These discoveries combined with the unlikely friendships she makes along the way help Mary come out of her shell and find new fascination with the world around her.
Source: Burnett, F. H. (1909). The Secret Garden. London, England: F. H. Burnett.
CHAPTER 1: “THERE IS NO ONE LEFT”Mary is abandoned in India, where a cholera epidemic has broken out. Her parents and family have either died or fled from the terror surrounding India.CHAPTER 2: “MISTRESS MARY QUITE CONTRARY”Mary is sent to live with an English clergyman and his five children. Afterwards, she is sent to live with Archibald Craven, a hermit uncle. She meets the housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock—she and Mary instantly dislike each other.CHAPTER 3: “ACROSS THE MOOR”Mary and Mrs. Medlock arrive at the mansion to find that Mr. Craven does not wish to see them. Mrs. Medlock shuts Mary in her room and forbids her to wander the mansion.CHAPTER 4: “MARTHA”Mary awakens and meets Martha, a servant girl. Mary asks Martha to dress her, for which Martha is taken aback. Mary and Martha exchange words and Mary screams at Martha. Mary goes out to explore and learns of a secret garden. In trying to find it, she meets Ben Weatherstaff and talks about the robin that has befriended him.
