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The Giving Tree Thesis

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Stories aimed at young audiences often contain messages that expand far beyond the child's mind; these small narratives display themes of deep emotional significance that resonate far into adulthood. At five years old, I had my first encounter with what would become my favorite book of all time, The Giving Tree. A cohesive collection of illustrations and simple but influential words, the children’s book articulates the pain of selflessness and the obligation to give everything of oneself in relationships of various types. At the ripe age of Kindergarten, unbeknownst to the self-destructive nature that would flow through my veins with age, I thought the book was more about the boy, a young, selfish creature, the mistakes from whom I must learn. …show more content…

The assumption that I interrupt kept me from acknowledging my own needs. During class, a small heap of distress, I would not ask to get water or use the bathroom. I was silent; I was well-behaved; I was proper, and I was praised for it. Upon reading The Giving Tree, I wondered how a person could be egocentric enough to continue taking once almost everything had been lost. I was convinced, and taught during the unsophisticated book analysis, that the tree’s altruistic nature was a trait to admire, something I, as a young individual, should instill within myself. Therefore, I continued to do what I believed to be morally correct, placing my necessities below those of others, and gradually sacrificing myself in the …show more content…

I want to say that he took my apples, leaves, branches, and stump, but I willingly provided all of his desires, incapable of declining any of his requests. This connection instilled something within me that, combined with selflessness, became extremely dangerous: passion. I had always wanted to give, but for the boy, I would sacrifice anything of myself to make him happy, until I could not anymore. I eventually realized, after years of emotional distress upon both myself and someone I loved, that I needed to break free; I needed to start giving back to

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