Relationship In Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree

327 Words2 Pages
In regards to Shel Silverstein's work, “The giving tree”. The stories interpretation of the relationship between boy and tree is more dangerous then ecologically sensitive. This relationship is totally one one-sided when comparing the relationship of a parent to a child. The tree represents a maternal figure in the story and does anything to keep the boy happy. Unfortunately, the boy is portrayed as Narcissist and only comes to the tree when he needs or wants something. The idea of allowing our own children to read or watch a story such as this one is absurd. I do not want my children to be selfish individuals that only come to me when they are in need. Grace Kao’s idea that the book is more of a cautionary tale about co-dependency and exploitation