We've got a theory: the Gibb Street garden in Seedfolks is sort of like a time machine. Seriously, all you have to do is shovel some dirt or plant some seeds in the ground, and you might find yourself transported to a past experience. Think about it: for Amir, the garden has him remembering his family's Persian rug. And for Tío Juan, working on the garden is like being with "old friends" (4.9). But don't forget that lots of our characters have some tragic stories in their pasts. So while the garden may provide pleasant recollections for some characters, others still have some tough memories to work through.
Questions About Memory and the Past
- How does planting a garden spark the characters to remember their past? And does the garden spark happy memories or sad ones?
- Can the characters ever escape their pasts? Or are they forever tied to them?
- How does the garden help certain characters to start anew? Is this a positive transition or a gloomy one?
Chew on This
It's good to remember the past. The garden helps lots of characters to connect with their memories, and that's a good thing.
It's best to forget the past. Seedfolks argues that the garden allows characters to start fresh and move on.