Do you remember The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein?
I picked it up for the first time in decades (literally) while visiting my friend's baby at her house. She asked me what I thought the book meant. I told her. She was surprised by my answer and then told me that every other person she asks interprets it differently.
I was fascinated.
The Story of The Giving Tree
For those of you who don't remember, The Giving Tree is a 1964 children's book about a tree who happily gives what she can to a young boy. First, she gives him shade. Then apples. She even lets him carve initials into her.
As the boy grows up, he needs more. So he takes her branches and eventually cuts down her trunk. At that point, the tree is alive, but nothing but a stump. Yet the boy, now an old man, still needs more. He needs a seat. She gives it to him. “And the tree was happy.” (The last line of the book.)
First, the practice. Then I will tell you how I and others have interpreted this classic tale.
PRACTICE
What does The Giving Tree mean to you? What is the lesson that Shel Silverstein is trying to teach his readers? Share in the comments section!
Interpretations of The Giving Tree
When my friend asked me about the book's lesson, the answer seemed glaringly obvious to me. I said it was this: while unconditional love is a wonderful thing, if you give too much you may lose yourself completely.
My friend, a new mother, had a different take. She saw the lesson as a warning to children not to take advantage of their parents.
Last September, The New York Times asked two writers to debate whether the book was a “tender story of unconditional love” or “a disturbing tale of monstrous selfishness.” But, as their responses revealed, the story has so many more interpretations than that.
For example, it may have a political message and serve “as a cautionary tale regarding both the social welfare state and the obscenity that is late-stage capitalism.”
Or a religious one: “I’m not even going to get into the biblical implications of Silverstein’s decision to make the tree of the book’s title apple-bearing,” one of the debaters wrote.
Maybe the story is a reflection of society's sexist view of the role of women at the time. Or is it a commentary on our abuse of the environment?
2 Writing Lessons From The Giving Tree
I think the debate about The Giving Tree tells us, as writers, a couple of things.
1. Once You Publish Your Writing, It's Not Yours Anymore
First, once you publish a story it’s not yours anymore. It’s the readers’.
Readers can choose to interpret your words however they want.
2. Simple Stories Can Still Be Complex
What I admire most about The Giving Tree is the story's simplicity.
Shel Silverstein showed us a dynamic that we've all experienced—giving and receiving love—and that was enough to make it loaded with meaning.
What else can writers learn from The Giving Tree? Let me know in the comments section!
Hi, Monica. This is a fabulous post because it is so incredibly creative. What a great idea to use a classic children’s book to set up your thesis. But the best part was that you “tricked” us. I thought you were just giving us a cool prompt (and btw, I like that the practice was inserted in the middle of the article, before your denouement). So imagine my (pleasant) surprise that the point of your post was to show us the *writing* lessons from “The Giving Tree” and not just (or instead of?) the moral lessons. This was an amazing and refreshing way to give us two important lessons about our craft. I learned that there is always a new and interesting way to drive home a point. Awesome.
What’s your novel about? Are you allowed to tell?
Deena
Aww, what a nice compliment!! My novel is about two former lovers, reunited by tragedy, who struggle decisions from their past (got that one liner down! :)). I’m in the midst of pitching agents and thinking about going with a small publisher.
I was quite curious what you thought the book meant. I have never liked the book. I felt sad at the end, that the tree was so used up , yet continued to give everything she had. And that the man didn’t seem grateful enough to me. My husband and daughter, however, love the book. I’m not sure what the book meant, but because it was left up to us, and I was left feeling sad, I didn’t like it.
I LOVE your conclusion that once we publish, it’s not ours; it’s the readers’. This was a major enlightenment to me. Maybe that is the fear that keeps me procrastinating in my writing. I want what I write to mean what I want it to, not to be misinterpreted or misconstrued. Therefore, I hesitate.
It’s so interesting to me whenever someone reads something I wrote. People DEFINITELY insert their personal experiences into their interpretations For example, for a class I wrote a story that included a parent-adult daughter relationship that was tangential to the main plot (I thought). For the daughter/child, I had a greater understanding of her perspective because I could relate. For the parent, I basically wrote what I OBSERVED in my parents and others without fully understanding that perspective. It was really surprising/fascinating 1) that the character stood out to some of the parents/older members in the group and 2) to hear how they interpreted the father character and his motivations. It really made me look at the story (and possibly the world!) with a different perspective.
It’s scary to hear other people’s reactions, but ultimately I think it’s extremely rewarding for your writing and yourself!
Sarah—I always saw the tree as the foundational essence of God or of a mother: willing to do whatever it took to provide for the happiness of the boy, even at the cost of the self. The tree cares more for the boy and the boy’s happiness (which is also its happiness) and it’s willing to sacrifice itself to try and fulfill that for the boy. This is parallel to Jesus on the cross—sacrificing Himself for humanity. Unappreciated. Unrecognized. Abandoned. And damaged having gone through that process.
The tree wants to be with a happy boy. It wants that connection and togetherness. Notice how the tree always mentions when the boy was not around for a while and is always excited when the boy returns.
It doesn’t look for or need acknowledgement or gratitude. It requires nothing, only hoping that the boy be happy…and in the end, it gets that. Maybe.
The last line tells us the tree was happy. The boy is again with it—together—and it is providing for the boy (as a seat on a stump). Interestingly enough, we are NOT told if the boy was happy. After he begins to grow up, we are never told at any stage that he is happy, nor is he depicted as happy in the illustrations at any age after boyhood. I’m not quite sure what to make of this. Was he too worn down by life to ever be happy again like he was as a boy? Is that just part of growing up? Was he sad at each stage because he wasn’t with the tree and really investing in their relationship? (If so, that regret is never expressed.) Are we meant to understand that the boy was too focused on material things and wasted meaningful time with the tree? I think there are a lot of possibilities here and we don’t have enough evidence suggesting one over another.
And I get there are complexities in the story. It can be seen as abusive to the tree and unhealthy for both and destructive to the boy that the tree keep giving him whatever he asks for (at the expense of her own self). Those certainly are real aspects of the story here, but they never stood out to me as a kid. I always felt the thrust and message of the book was wow, look at what the tree was willing to do for the happiness of something beyond itself. To give so much for another as to give up itself. That’s something beautiful (again paralleling the crucifixion of Christ).
The boy does always come back to the tree throughout his life. And he’s with her in the end. And while it doesn’t tell us if he’s happy or not, we know she is. Maybe he has given something of himself to her too?
I think the book depicts the selfish side of human nature. Both characters are selfish in my opinion, but its just more obvious in the boy. He is a taker and finds no happiness in it because he doesn’t realize that contentment is intrinsic. If the tree truly cared for the boy she would ditch what he wants, and give him what he needs which is tough love.
I think it’s about parenthood. NOTE: I am not a parent.
Parents give, and give, and give to their children, doing it happily. Many parents (the best ones) would be willing to lay down their lives for their children, should the need arise. In the end, as long as their kids appreciate them, they’re happy.
That was just my initial impression of the story.
I am a parent of four, and you are right. I would lay down my life for my children, and I believe most other parents I know would do the same. That was my initial impression of the book too, but my impression changed after some thought.
This is how o always took it. As a parent, I understand that the tree was happy to do anything for her boy.
I’m a newby and not sure where my thought should be printed. I wrote a piece about The Giving Tree. Where should it be printed?
Right here so that everyone can read it and share their thoughts if they are so inclined.
Yes just copy and paste into the comment box!!
This post makes so much sense on so many different levels. In fact，poetry and paintings are also interpreted in many different ways. To me the Giving Tree is a symbol of how Mother Earth has always given us everything without asking for anything in return，and how we continue to exploit her for everything she is worth.
I’ve never read it but I’ve heard about it before and from what I’ve been told I see it as a representation of how certain people are desperate to impress and please and how, when this is paired with greed, it just leads to hurt….
I love hearing everyone’s interpretations of The Giving Tree! Even among the WP community our interpretations are so different. I would love to read more!!
My thoughts,(Betty Moss)
however, if this is too long, please advise as to the restrictions on this
practice routine. Thank you for
replying, Monica.
THE GIVING TREE
Although my children were young in the 1960s, and we were avid readers with many titles in children’s books on our shelves, I am unfamiliar with The Giving Tree. However,
with the synopsis provided, I do have an opinion. In view of the era of the writing, I believe the author intended to teach an environmental lesson in the preservation and
protection of the environment, in particular, trees. By giving the tree a personality, he/she aroused the mind of a child by advancing the idea the tree was submissive and
longsuffering – regardless of the conditions – the tree remained happy. However, the child will also observe that the tree has given its all to a selfish, uncaring human who thought only of himself his needs with no thought of the future without the beautiful tree.
It occurs to me that the author may have a few ideas to teach the parent who is reading the story to the child. Along with the environmental message, I see a strong admonition to a parent to provide unconditional love and security to his child regardless of his own needs. I also see a message to the parent in the selfish, uncaring character of the little boy who grew into an equally self-centered adult with an appetite for self- satisfaction.
The parent who indulges the child without discipline and proper respect for the planet and others has impaired the child’s maturity in the same way that neglect and abuse
destroys. The insecurity of the home surfaced in that era as a serious issue
and continues to plague our nation into this century. The Giving Tree is a short story with magic appeal and multiple lessons to be gleaned for all ages.
I’ve always been bothered by this book, even when I read it to my children many years ago. It’s a beautiful story in many ways, but so sad, maybe because I love trees and took it literally. The interpretation about the giving of parents it makes sense. But there is also the giving of mother earth, and I fear we, as a species, take too much for granted. I’d love to read a sequel in which the tree stump sprouts a baby tree. The old man sees it just before he dies. Finally he is grateful.
I’ll work on that story.
So interesting and informative to read all the views about The Giving Tree. A great learning process to see how diverse a simple story can be to the readers. Comments limited to fifteen minutes, right. WHY DO I WRITE. -A question I ask myself every time I open a Word Document with intent to add words, why do I write? Most obvious reason is that I love to stack words together to make a sensible statement or tell a story. It’s a game; it’s my unreachable star. I especially love poetry; finding different ways to tell a tale and make it rhyme. Writing is a challenge to keep my spirit alive and my brain cells active. I am 81 years old and my quest this year is to reach 82. Every day is beautiful; life is beautiful, and I want to share that beauty with others through writing. Thank you for sharing with me.
i am not sure how i feel about the Giving tree, much like your first comment was my cut reaction. Once you publish it is no longer your own. Great lesson. i never liked it in English lit when we were to give our opinion on the what the author meant. We were not there and the time period and language then made such a difference to the author then what it might mean to us.
I wrote a lot of poetry had a friend beg me to but it all in one book for her (she was and English teacher) She started twisting all my words and meanings to things i never even know it might in fur. Our words change so much and what use to mean bread to eat with a meal, latter meant money. just one example of word changes.
your correct our own experiences also effect the way we might interpret what we read. great lesson and nice way to teach it thanks.
As a teacher, seeing other teachers espouse this as a story of love, I was appalled. Love doesn’t enable the other person to remain emotionally stunted and environmentally destructive. When I retired, I wrote an alternate story called “The Amida Tree.” (Amida is the symbol of Infinite Compassion and Eternal Wisdom.) To live a happy, fulfilled life, both wisdom and compassion are needed in balance. The boy didn’t live a happy life.
Bonnie Ferrante
When I first read that poem, in middle school, I think, I thought, “What an ungrateful kid.” I praised the tree and hoped I wouldn’t be that boy. I didn’t like that boy, yet I felt guilty about it, like I was also being unfair and abusive.
This story had a very deep impact on me as a child. I saw the darkness in the tale when I was very young. I remember being so upset when I would see people cutting Tree limbs I would yell at them to stop when I was really little. They could not hear me over the chainsaw though. I have always felt like Trees were my family I used to go up and talk to them and hug them when I was little. Looking back now what this story brings to mind is something they made us read in a college environmental science class called “The Tragedy of the Commons” I definitely agree with what was said about how a story ceases to belong to the writer once published but I do not see this as a bad thing. Art is never finished until it is shared. The artist or writer creates within the context of their own mind and starts the piece. the audience brings their own meaning to the words and images in the context of their own lives. Art is not a spectator sport. Because the audience participates. The artist or writer starts the process, the viewer or reader finishes it. This is why I disagree when people express regret that they are not creative like artists or writers. Because they are part of this too. What is a writer with no readers? Alone with their thoughts. What is a musician without an audience? A person sitting on the edge of their bed playing their guitar for the wall. What is an artist without a viewer? Someone who painted a picture for themselves. The audience is part of the process and they are just as important as the producers of the art. And to anyone who ever said they had no talent? Remember it is not how good you are at art that matters, it is how good art is for you. The Giving Tree had such an impact on me as a child it shapes my world view to this day. I am a nature loving dirt worshipping Tree Hugger, at least partly because of that book. And I think that may have been at least part of what Shel Silverstein was going for when he wrote that elegantly simple yet deep and complex children’s book.
For me, this is a story about realizing that people love on many different levels..If one person loves differently from their partner, but truly loves with their heart and soul, is one really better than the other? Everyone always chooses to be the sun, but I choose, like the tree, to be the moon…so I can shine on you in your darkest hour..and when one is the sun and the other is the moon, it’s such a powerful thing, I mean, look what happens with a love like that, it lights up the whole sky!! I believe the boy taught the tree her self worth in life..and the tree was happy…the boy always strived for what he wanted, not what he needed…be happy with the little things in life..the simple pleasures..the boy represents human nature..the tree represents unconditional love, if anything it shows that the meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give that gift away…so the tree already knows this, so it doesn’t matter what the boy does…it’s not about the boy’s selfish nature, it’s about true unconditional love and accepting people for who they are, never trying to change them. The only way to promote change in a person is to change ourselves, and I finally understood that the first step was to love myself, and when I did, my relationship with everyone changed in such a positive way. Never change who you are, ( hence the tree ) because of the way others treat you..( the boy ) stay true to you and everything will follow. SO SORRY FOR THE RAMBLR
I love your take on this story. Thank you so much for sharing. The whole sun and moon metaphor is brilliant. Since we get to choose how we take the story — I’d like to go with you and your understanding.
The greatest kind of love gives sacrificially for those it loves without self-regard.
(much like a good mother or father should)
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
– John 15:12-13
“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
– Romans 5:8
“By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
– 1 John 3:16
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
– John 10:11
Lots more on Love
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15&version=ESV
On Interpretation…
Of course, anyone could interpret someone’s words (or whatever communication medium) any way they want, but the author’s intended meaning serves as the standard to measure the interpretations against; some are better interpretations of the author’s meaning (they’re closer in meaning) than others ones (which are further from the author’s meaning). With that said, I’ve got nothing against trying to see a work in a new light as a thought exercise, but that perspective’s validity/quality *as an interpretation* would still be relation to the author’s intended meaning.
For example, I could make an interpretation of your blog entry and claim that “(1) once you publish your writing, it’s still yours and not the readers,” but that would be a terrible interpretation of your blog entry since you explicitly said otherwise.
On the other hand, the significance and/or factuality of the points being made in the interpretation of the work would depend on how those points measure against reality.
i.e, the intended meaning of the work is separate from the significance of the work with reality
(the author may have an unrealistic / insignificant meaning that they intended to convey by the work)
Apples grow back. Branches grow back. You can’t make a house out of an apple tree’s branches or a boat from it’s trunk. Even if you could, you would need to cut down many trees. You can also plant them. If he is able to make the house and the boat, he can work and doesn’t need anyone to give him anything. It is an absolutely idiotic and confusing story. The most terrible thing about it is the humanization of trees and that there is an ethical debate between a plant and a human.
Hello!
I stumbled on your website after doing a search for the book The Giving Tree. It’s interesting you asked for comments about our take on the meaning of the book…
After decades of battling health issues, a few days ago, God revealed the source of my ill health. He used The Giving Tree as the example.
God showed me the book represented my relationship with MYSELF. He said for years, I have abused my body, demanding more from it than it had to give.
Yet, with every demand, somehow it mustered the strength to give ‘one more time’ of itself even though it was harming itself in the process.
I didn’t realize the toll my selfish demands were making on body until one day I looked in the mirror and realized I had become a mere stump of who I once was.
I felt such remorse.
God gently spoke to my heart and said, ‘Sheri, although your body has been reduced to nothing but a stump and all looks lost, what you don’t realize is there are ROOTS under that stump!
Those roots still have life!
Your life/body will never look/function the way it once did but the good news is you can begin again right where you are! You can nourish your body and GIVE instead of TAKE.
In return, your body will be able to give back from a place of ABUNDANCE and not from a place of NEED.
Such a beautiful picture, not only what a healthy relationship with ourselves should look like, but what a healthy relationship with others should look like as well.
When we draw our source of life from the Giver of Life, Jesus, we have more than enough to share not only with Others but Ourselves as well!
J-Jesus
O-Others
Y-You