Howdy Superforest!
Recently I reread one of my favourite childhood books, namely “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. But, before getting into the details of the book itself I’d like to introduce the author, as he was a very interesting person. Before his adventure with writing childrens books, Silverstein was a regular cartoonist for Playboy in the 1950s and 60s, he was also a singer, a poet and a songwriter – penning the Johnny Cash classic “A Boy Named Sue“!
I simply love his books and his black and white sketches. In fact, he illustrated only one of his books in full color and that was a collection of poetry “Uncle Shelby’s Zoo: Don’t Bump The Glump and Other Fantasies”. To me, Silverstein’s simple yet beautiful black and white sketches convey the wisdom of life.
It took Silverstein four years to find a publisher for “The Giving Tree” – incredible, no?! Many publishers liked the story, but found it too short or sad for a childrens book. I was really surprised to learn this as, in fact, I consider the story uplifting and filled with hope. Yes, HOPE.
Now (if you have watched it for the first time) you are probably questioning my opinion. You ask yourself : “What? Story about hope?!”
Hmm, I know the book really well, my parents and grandmother have read it to me many times and naturally my interpretation of it has changed with time. As I grew older, brand new layers appeared.
I agree that seemingly this story may be considered sad. The boy comes to the tree only to take without giving anything back from himself. This is the interpretation on first glance but, if we consider it further, we can find deeper meanings and understandings.
Everyone has their own “giving tree”. No matter what happens the tree will always be there, waiting patiently. We may sometimes walk away for a while (when the reader gets the impression that the tree is abandoned or forgotten by the boy), but finally we always return to it, like a boomerang. We always find the way towards it (love will be the guide).
What I mean is that for me personally this is a beautiful story about life. I have never assumed that (although the boy was leaving the tree alone for some time) he hasn’t loved it, or has forgotten about it. We walk in and out of others’ lives, sometimes being the giving tree for them (very often we become the tree even unconsciously), at other times we are the boy who seeks it in need. Life is a circular process of giving and receiving. The art of living is to accept it with no regret which is the most difficult thing to do.
I think that Timothy Jackson, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Standford University, expresses it really well in “The Giving Tree: A Symposium” a collection of essays on the story. As Jackson says:
Is this a sad tale? Well, it is sad in the same way that life is depressing. We are all needy, and, if we are lucky and any good, we grow old using others and getting used up. Tears fall in our lives like leaves from a tree. Our finitude is not something to be regretted or despised, however; it is what makes giving (and receiving) possible. The more you blame the boy, the more you have to fault human existence. The more you blame the tree, the more you have to fault the very idea of parenting. Should the tree’s giving be contingent on the boy’s gratitude? If it were, if fathers and mothers waited on reciprocity before caring for their young, then we would all be doomed.
The tree is, of course, a metaphor – but a metaphor for what? Hmmm…
One of the things that makes the book so amazing is the freedom of choice and interpretation that it gives the reader. This is something I search for in a book. The author “plants a seed” in my mind that evolves into more complex process of thinking. In this way, the act of reading becomes a very unique and personal experience – everyone must find “the giving tree” for themselves.
Here’s one more by Silverstein ( “The Missing piece meets the big O”)
If you liked these stories check out Shel Silverstein’s homepage as there is a lot of great stuff for children along with ideas for teachers (yes!) and parents.
Love, E.
PS. Have you found your “tree” yet ?
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