I created a list of my favorite novels I have read, or at least remembered reading, throughout my life. In my list of ten or twelve favorites, I was not convinced I would be able to find an emblem that would represent the essence of the story and characters. While sitting in class, I created an outline for the story Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie. During class discussion, my classmate told us he actually chose to do his final on Haroun and the Sea of Stories. After I scratched my outline out on my notebook paper, I found myself back at square one, but had that sudden "Ah ha" moment before the class was over. I began thinking about all the novels I had ever read and for some reason unknown to me, The Secret Garden popped into my head and I could not shake it. I read The Secret Garden in sixth grade in the Accelerated Reader program at my elementary school. I reread the novel a year later, and liked it even more the second time.
In my memory, I thought I could find some way to represent the novel within an emblem; but to make sure, I looked up chapter summaries and plot summaries, and now I am convinced it was a blessing I was pointed away from my initial choice to The Secret Garden because I think this emblem will be far more effective.
I have found I am drawn even more to this story through the character transformations of Mary and Colin. I find myself analyzing people all around me, mainly myself, and the transformation these two young children undergo throughout this story is both inspirational and astonishing. From a sour, bitter young girl to a pleasant caring soul, and Colin from a fragile death-bed ridden boy to a life-loving, walking kid. The garden's magic not only puts a spell-binding happiness on the children, but holds healing power. The story not only makes readers hopeful, but helps all believe in the power of positive change.
