The weather has been great this week and I’ve finally been able to enjoy my readings outside. The Secret Garden was the first read outside. Fitting, too, considering the weather changes in the text.
This read was literally succulent. I love the language and how it picked up on the minuscule things- like how she’d fight against the wind who’s force is like an invisible giant. Or the subtle ways Mary’s eyes would light up when she discovered, well, humanity-sympathy-humility.
Compared to her “socially acceptable” looking parents, Mary was born a disagreeable looking child. I looked at the first chapter with a feminist lens especially – because the qualities that deemed her unworthy were characteristics that a woman, in general, are socially expected to have – beauty to woo, be chased, desired, like her mother. It’s so wrong to put those expectations on a baby – those expectations deprived her of the experience of parenthood. Despite that, I think her Ayah did an ok job of raising her. She raised Mary correctly when you think about the standards of wealthy individuals in general. She was made to be spoiled and wasn’t ever made aware of her apparent “ugliness” or the pity people held over her. It is awful to me that this kind of thing happens. When I think about persons with a disability, people will purposefully try to filter or even hide their disability from them. As if their own disability could hurt them more than the people who shut them into a box. Therefore, she couldn’t find out why people disliked her so much or why kids had more fun than her. She simply reciprocated what she knew.
Lastly, I love the use of the “Moor” and how it is like a metaphor for her own growth. Martha as a character is great for Mary’s character development. She learns that every meal should be appreciated and to make use of the environment around her, as well as basic respect in conversation. I also think Martha fleshes out a lot of other problems like racial stereotyping and class privilege.
Without knowing, Martha makes assumptions about Indians as a collective and keeps calling out their “exotic wonders,” like elephants and whatever else. She keeps saying how she and her family can revel in how interesting this country is. A lot like gossip.
Then, there are contrasts of “humble living,” talk about kids who are lucky to fill their stomachs, and kids who wear rags for clothes but still play and laugh. Martha talks about this and helps Mary have insightful moments.
#forfunblog
