How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I just love [the moor]. It's none bare. It's covered wi' growin' things as smells sweet. It's fair lovely in spring an' summer when th' gorse an' broom an' heather's in flower. It smells o' honey an' there's such a lot o' fresh air—an' th' sky looks so high an' th' bees an' skylarks makes such a nice noise hummin' an' singin'. Eh! I wouldn't live away from th' moor for anythin'. (4.8)
The Sowerby family—Dickon, and here, Martha—seem to belong to Yorkshire in this intense way. They all speak with thick Yorkshire accents, and they all have a deep appreciation for the natural beauties of the area. Compare their deep sense of belonging with Mary's total alienation from India. There, she has a lot of luxury—a nanny and servants—but she doesn't seem to feel that she belongs.
According to The Secret Garden, what makes a person belong in a place? Does Colin belongin Yorkshire the same way Martha says she does? Why or why not?
Quote #2
"You'll go by yourself," [Martha] answered. "You'll have to learn to play like other children does when they haven't got sisters and brothers. Our Dickon goes off on th' moor by himself an' plays for hours. That's how he made friends with th' pony. He's got sheep on th' moor that knows him, an' birds as comes an' eats out of his hand. However little there is to eat, he always saves a bit o' his bread to coax his pets."
It was really this mention of Dickon which made Mary decide to go out, though she was not aware of it. There would be birds outside though there would not be ponies or sheep. They would be different from the birds in India and it might amuse her to look at them. (4.74-75)
What is it that you think starts Mary's transformation into a better person? Is it simply moving into Misselthwaite Manor, away from her spoiled early life? Is it meeting Martha? Is it hearing about Dickon? Is it playing outside for pretty much the first time in her whole life? Why do you think Mary starts to change?
Quote #3
Presently an old man with a spade over his shoulder walked through the door leading from the second garden. He looked startled when he saw Mary, and then touched his cap. He had a surly old face, and did not seem at all pleased to see her—but then she was displeased with his garden and wore her "quite contrary" expression, and certainly did not seem at all pleased to see him. (4.83)
Like Dickon, Ben Weatherstaff spends almost all of his time outside. But unlike Dickon, it doesn't seem to have transformed him into this angelic, practically-able-to-talk-to-animals kind of character. He's still crusty and unfriendly. But we do find out that he has a good heart: He was really attached to the late Mrs. Craven, and he's tried to look after her Secret Garden for her, even against Mr. Craven's wishes. He may not have the best people skills, but his love of gardening still indicates that he's a great guy underneath.