Selflessness And Selfishness In Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree

Surviving trees grow buds that turn into apples, that shows that they are alive. When it shows the tree you can see that is is noticeably different from the ones in the forest, I think that this shows how being adopted changed his life.

Lovely short story “The Osage Orange Tree” had been written by the addressed author William Stafford. Throughout this short story, two main protagonist include of a young female high school student named Evangeline, and a young male high school student which who narrates this beloved story. In this short story, there are many major key events that happen, even some that lead to the conclusions of different themes. Evangeline shows affection by buying newspapers just to see the narrator, she acts clingy around the narrator, and lastly the tree which symbolizes protection, is the protection for her and the boy from everyone else. Which with these examples the theme can be seen as, eagerness for friendship can lead to many crazy but

The mood of the speaker changes to guilt as the speaker and her mother realize they would "crawl" with "shame" and leave an "emptiness" in their father's heart and yard. The author negatively connotes "crawl," "shame," and "emptiness" to invoke a more serious and shameful tone. The beginning of the conveyed a more matter-of-fact and pragmatic tone, but changes into a more sentimental one by the end to convey family is more important than the money. The symbol of the tree represents the family, and connects it to their father's hard work and dedication to the family. If they were to cut it down, it would be symbolic of their betrayal. Imagery of the tree is used to describe the freedom and beauty of the tree as it "swings through another year of sun and leaping winds, of leaves and bounding fruit." The tree represents their family bond and how strong it is even through the "whip-crack of the mortgage."

Selflessness is the idea that one is able to be more concerned with the needs of others over themselves. The value of selflessness is crucial in the Younger household, and is exemplified by Mama who plans on using the insurance money selflessly to buy a house for her family, rather than taking a vacation. Despite this excellent guide, Walter has a sense of entitlement to the insurance money as he says, “He was my father too.” (Hansberry 38). Due to his poor economic conditions, Walter

does not resemble the happy and cheerful world of Christmas trees and presents, but instead the reader is exposed to, what can only be

Personification also contributes to the relationship by making the tree a lively component of the family instead of a passive object in the back yard. A relationship necessitates at least two parties so it is necessary that the tree be a part of the family. At the end of the poem, “the black walnut tree swings into another year” when the family decides to keep it. This shows that the family respects the tree as its own entity and presence. First, this personifies the tree as free and leisurely because swings are usually for play. It also contextualizes the tree as having a

To begin, the theme one's own selfishness can end up pushing away and hurting those close to them is shown through

The father and the boy have a co-dependant relationship. The boy is dependent on his father for survival, while the father lives to ensure the survival of the boy. When the boy asks “What would you do if I died?” The father responds with, “If you died I would want to die too” (McCarthy, 11). It is clear that his love for the child is what motivates him to do everything he can to ensure the boys survival. This motivates him to teach the boy strong morals and skills to help him live as a “good guy.” After finding and humiliating the thief that stole all their belongings, the father and son

At one point in a person’s life, one usually finds a companion so strong they would do anything for them. At least, there is a common misconception that one can give their all to somebody they care for, simply because they care. The downside is, the relationship turns for the worse. When the giver gives, the taker becomes greedy, and often times, the giver sticks around even when they are being clearly exploited. Being taken advantage of and naivety come together hand in hand. Therefore, in Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, the Tree is naive and being taken advantage of because she puts the Boy’s happiness and well-being ENTIRELY above her own, ultimately leading to her self destruction. The Boy also habitually returns to reap the benefits of the Tree

The novel, The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is an everlasting story that shows the importance of individuality. This novel is about a young boy named Jonas who was elected as the Receiver of Memories, a person who is given the memories from the world that existed before their current society, Sameness. In this society there is no individualism. People can not choose who to marry, or what they want to do for a living. Over time Jonas becomes more and more wise, and realizes that the supposedly perfect community actually has some very dark and negative aspects. The author, Lois Lowry is a 76-year-old writer who focuses her writing on helping struggling teenagers become individuals. Lowry had a very tragic childhood. After both of her parents were

A tree in John Knowles’s A Separate Peace, symbolizes the true strengths and weaknesses of two boys relationship during World War Two. This specific tree really corresponds with what is doing on with the two boys relationship. When the tree is big and strong the boy’s relationship is really thriving. Once the tree starts to lose branches and weakens the two boy’s relationship starts to weaken as well. Which is implemented all over the book with weak moments in their relationship and strengths.

Selfishness, rudeness, and hurtfulness. Think about it. It has caused a lot of tragedies in this world because some people have to have those three characteristics in their lives. What are some things or stories like that that you can think of about? One that is a holiday favorite is called A Christmas Carol.

The Giving Tree is a modern children literature written by Shel Silverstein, which is also one of his first successful piece of work. It is about an apple tree who always gives and gives and a boy who always takes and takes. This might be another story to read before bed times for the kids but however, it portrays so many things, from deforestation to modern society. Personally, I believe that The Giving Tree portrays the theme of selflessness versus selfishness, like the unconditional love a parent has for his or her child.

A morality play, not unlike some of the popular plays I have seen. I think we all have seen this familiar theme many times over the years. As we head into the Christmas season, where reflective thinking becomes this very theme. I can compare this play with some of these seasonal plays. The play that comes to my mind immediately is, "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.

Little Tree is an elementary-aged male living in 1920’s America. While this was obviously nearly a hundred years ago, many of the factors discussed still play a role in today’s society. Since his mother died (his father is unknown and out of the picture), he has been raised by his grandparents in the Appalachian Mountains. His grandmother is full-Cherokee and his grandfather is half-Cherokee, half-Scottish, but both grandparents are proud of their Native American heritage and work to pass on their Cherokee traditions and beliefs to Little Tree. In addition to teaching him about his culture and heritage, both grandparents also instilled in him the values of hard work and perseverance. Little Tree was raised in a very supportive environment that encouraged independent learning