The Selfish 'Gaint

The Selfish Giant" is a renowned short story written by Oscar Wilde. The narrative revolves around a selfish giant who owns a beautiful garden but refuses to let children play in it. Due to the giant's selfishness, the garden falls into perpetual winter, with snow covering the trees and flowers.One day, the giant returns from a long trip to find children playing outside his garden except for one secluded corner. He becomes angry and chases them away, erecting a high wall to prevent their entry. However, as a result, the garden is trapped in an eternal winter. Time passes, and spring refuses to come to the garden until one morning when the giant awakens to the sound of birds singing and sees a small boy on a tree branch. The boy is trying to climb over the wall to reach the trees laden with blossoms, but he is too small to make it. The giant's heart softens, and he helps the boy into the garden. From that moment on, the giant allows the children to play freely in his garden. As a result, the garden transforms into a lush paradise, and it is always springtime within its walls. However, the boy disappears mysteriously, and the giant is left longing for his return.

Years later, when the giant has grown old and feeble, the same boy reappears with visible wounds on his hands and feet. The giant recognizes the boy as the Christ child, and his wounds are reminiscent of the crucifixion. The giant realizes that through his kindness to the boy, he has been serving Christ himself. The giant is taken by the boy into the paradise of eternal spring, and when the villagers come to find him, they discover his lifeless body lying under a beautiful tree, covered in white blossoms. The Selfish Giant" is a poignant allegorical tale that highlights the transformative power of selflessness and the importance of compassion and kindness towards others. It explores themes of redemption, the beauty of nature, and the innocence and purity of children.

Theme

The theme of "The Selfish Giant" revolves around the transformative power of selflessness and the importance of compassion and kindness towards others. The story highlights the negative consequences of selfishness and the positive impact of generosity and empathy.

Initially, the giant's selfishness leads to a desolate and perpetual winter in his once beautiful garden. The absence of children and their playful innocence results in a lifeless and joyless environment. However, when the giant opens his heart and allows the children to enter his garden, the transformation is remarkable. The garden flourishes, and it becomes a place of beauty, joy, and eternal spring.

Through his encounters with the boy, who is ultimately revealed to be the Christ child, the giant learns the value of selflessness. His act of kindness towards the boy is representative of his willingness to help and care for others. This act leads to the giant's redemption and spiritual awakening.

The story also emphasizes the importance of cherishing and valuing the innocence and purity of children. The children in the story represent a source of genuine joy, bringing life and vitality to the giant's garden. Their presence highlights the contrast between selfishness and selflessness, and their exclusion or inclusion has a profound impact on the garden's state

 

Figure of Speech used in the Story

1.     Allegory: The story functions as an allegory, where the characters and events symbolize broader concepts and moral lessons. The giant represents selfishness and the need for transformation, while the children symbolize innocence, joy, and the purity of heart. The boy, revealed to be the Christ child, represents divine love, redemption, and the importance of selfless acts.

2.     Personification: The garden itself is personified, as it is described as having a personality and reacting to the giant's selfishness. The garden's transformation from a barren winter to a flourishing spring mirrors the giant's internal change and the restoration of harmony and beauty.

3.     Symbolism: Various symbols are employed throughout the story. The giant's walled garden represents isolation, exclusion, and selfishness. The perpetual winter symbolizes the absence of love, warmth, and joy. The arrival of spring and blossoming of the garden symbolize renewal, redemption, and the power of selflessness. The wounds on the Christ child's hands and feet symbolize the crucifixion and the sacrifice of Jesus.

4.     Foreshadowing: The story utilizes foreshadowing to hint at future events. The giant's anger towards the children and his act of chasing them away foreshadows the consequences of his selfishness and the subsequent desolation of the garden. The appearance of the boy and the description of his wounds foreshadow the revelation of his true identity as the Christ child.

5.     Religious Imagery: The story incorporates religious imagery and themes, particularly in the portrayal of the Christ child. His arrival, wounds, and role as a figure of redemption evoke Christian symbolism and emphasize the importance of compassion, selflessness, and the potential for spiritual transformation.

The Biblical Reference used in the Poem

1.     The Christ Child: The character of the boy in the story is revealed to be the Christ child. This revelation draws a direct parallel to Jesus Christ from Christian theology. The wounds on the boy's hands and feet reflect the crucifixion, symbolizing Jesus' sacrifice for humanity's sins.

2.     The Garden of Eden: The giant's garden can be seen as reminiscent of the biblical Garden of Eden. Initially, it is a paradise, but the giant's selfishness leads to its fall into a state of winter and desolation. The eventual transformation of the garden into an eternal spring parallels the concept of redemption and the restoration of paradise.

3.     Biblical Themes of Love and Redemption: The story explores themes of love, redemption, and selflessness, which are central to Christian teachings. Through the giant's transformation from a selfish character to a compassionate and self-sacrificing one, the story conveys the redemptive power of love and the potential for personal growth and salvation.

4.     Biblical Symbolism: The wounds on the Christ child's hands and feet symbolize the crucifixion and the suffering of Jesus. This symbol connects the boy to the ultimate sacrifice made for humanity's redemption