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Book Title: The Giving Tree

Author: Shel Silverstein

●Summary

  Once there was a tree and a boy. They loved with each other. The boy would come to the tree to play every day to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk etc. The tree felt very happy when the boy accompanied her. However, as time goes by, the boy grew up and did not come to play with the tree. Therefore, the tree was often alone. He began to want more from the tree and the tree gave and gave. The tree was not happy at all. Finally, the tree had nothing but an old stump. This time, the boy told her that he did not want anything from her but just want to sit and rest on her. At last, the boy sat on her and she became happy.

●Analysis

Characters

Protagonist: The boy and the tree

Setting

Backdrop setting 

Narrative Point of View 

Omniscient Narrator

Plot

Dramatic plot  

Conflict

The protagonist against self

Theme

“Happy is he who is content.”

Style

Exposition and dialogue

Tone

Touched and sad

●Reflection

  The author use personification on not only the tree itself but also the relationship between the boy and the tree. He uses simple line in drawing which is easy to read and a childlike style which is kind to the children who read it. After I read this book, I feel touched and a little bit sad. This story reflects the situation in nowadays relationship between couples, friends and family. At first, two people love each other and accompany with each other all the time. They enjoy the time with each other without tiredness or complaint. Mental comfort is always important than materiel benefits. However, with the time passing, something changes. Their requirement for materials becomes more and more even has no limit. Generally, one of them devotes more than the other but it’s unfair. People should learn how to be content on everything and how to be grateful. To give is better than to receive.