Log 5

Although I didn’t read a lot this time, what impressed me the most in these chapters was Mary’s change in personality.

In India, Mary was used to servants obeying her every command, which made her arrogant and spoiled. However, after arriving at the manor, she met Martha, a straightforward servant who didn’t treat her differently because of her status. Instead, Martha treated her as an equal. This might have given Mary a new experience, allowing her to reflect on her relationships and way of life. When Mary frequently heard crying sounds, her curiosity was awakened. Unlike before, when she was indifferent to her surroundings, she began to take an interest in unknown things. Even though she didn’t want to admit this curiosity might have stemmed from care. This could be seen as the beginning of her growth, which started from being self-centered to gradually paying attention to the world around her. Also, as she enjoyed outdoor activities and spent more time in nature, her health and mood improved.

Additionally, I think a key turning point was when Mary found the key to the secret garden. She became more proactive and eager to explore, no longer just passively adapting to life at the manor. She replaced her complaints with actions, which helped her grow mentally. When the canary led her to the entrance of the secret garden and she opened it, it might symbolize her stepping out of her closed-off world into one full of potential and vitality, gradually connecting with the world and becoming more positive and responsible.

Through these chapters, we can see how much a person's environment can influence them. A person, especially during childhood, has a strong desire to explore and can learn and encounter many things in this period. In the earlier chapters, Mary's lonely personality was shaped by a lack of love and a closed environment. But after coming to the manor, meeting kind people, and connecting with nature, it was as if she escaped from a dark, lonely cage. She opened her heart to the outside world, making her mind healthier. During her exploration, she realized there was much more to the world than just bossing people around. There were many new and interesting things to discover, and this makes me excited to see how Mary will transform the garden and whether she will develop a special emotional connection to it, learning the meaning of love.