How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Mary stood near the door with her candle in her hand, holding her breath. Then she crept across the room, and, as she drew nearer, the light attracted the boy's attention and he turned his head on his pillow and stared at her, his gray eyes opening so wide that they seemed immense.
"Who are you?" he said at last in a half-frightened whisper. "Are you a ghost?"
"No, I am not," Mary answered, her own whisper sounding half frightened. "Are you one?" (13.19-21)
It's a totally weird, surprising image to have these two abandoned children—Mary Lennox and Colin Craven—find one another in the middle of a pretty much empty house of a hundred rooms. The Secret Garden is filled with this sense of empty space, as though Mary and Colin basically have the freedom to do whatever they want. But maybe that sense of freedom also adds to the book's air of unreality: Both characters seem like "ghosts" here because nothing of their lives is ordinary or predictable—not even the way they meet.
Quote #5
"She is my mother," said Colin complainingly. "I don't see why she died. Sometimes I hate her for doing it."
"How queer!" said Mary.
"If she had lived I believe I should not have been ill always," he grumbled. "I dare say I should have lived, too. And my father would not have hated to look at me. I dare say I should have had a strong back. Draw the curtain again." (13.123-125)
This book places a lot of emphasis on the importance of a mother's love to a kid's emotional and physical health. Consider Mrs. Sowerby's positive relationship with Martha and Dickon, for example.
Quote #6
"Do you think [Colin] wants to die?" whispered Mary.
"No, but he wishes he'd never been born. Mother she says that's th' worst thing on earth for a child. Them as is not wanted scarce ever thrives. Mester Craven he'd buy anythin' as money could buy for th' poor lad but he'd like to forget as he's on earth." (15.69-70)
There is a sharp contrast in this book between the Sowerbys and the Cravens. Mrs. Sowerby has trouble making ends meet, but her kids are happy and contented because she showers them with love. Mr. Craven gives Colin everything that money can buy, but he can't stand the sight of him. So Colin is growing up spoiled and depressed, while Dickon and Martha seem contented and confident. Do you think love is all it takes to make a happy family? Is there an ideal balance between love, money, and happiness?