Excerpt from The Secret Garden by Frances H. Burnett

Question

Excerpt from The Secret Garden by Frances H. Burnett

1. Since she had been living in other people's houses, Mary had begun to feel lonely and to think odd thoughts which were new to her. 2. She had begun to wonder why she had never seemed to belong to anyone even when her father and mother had been alive. 3. Other children seemed to belong to their fathers and mothers, but she had never seemed to really be anyone's little girl. 4. She had had servants, and food and clothes, but no one had taken any notice of her.
1. How do the character's actions, thoughts, or words develop the theme?
A) by showing her thoughts about not belonging to anyone.
B) by discussing the needs of young children.
C) by having her run away from her home.
D) by showing her crying over not having parents

Answer 1

A) by showing her thoughts about not belonging to anyone.

Answer 2

Explain how the theme was developed using specific details from the text

Is the sentence starter below to begin your answer.
The theme is developed through

Answer 3

The theme is developed through the character of Mary expressing her feelings of loneliness and not belonging to anyone. For example, Mary begins to wonder why she never seemed to belong to anyone, even when her parents were alive. She observes that other children seem to belong to their fathers and mothers, but she feels like no one has ever really taken notice of her. These details illustrate Mary's deep sense of isolation and the lack of a strong familial connection in her life, which serves to highlight the theme of belonging and the need for emotional connection.