# The Cry in the Corridor explained — The Secret Garden

> Chapter companion for The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

## What happens

Mary Lennox begins to adapt to life at Misselthwaite Manor, spending most of her time outdoors and experiencing improved health and appetite. She encounters the robin, who leads her to the wall of the secret garden, and learns from Martha the tragic story of Mrs. Craven's death. That evening, Mary hears a mysterious crying sound inside the house, which Martha tries to dismiss as the wind.

## Themes in this chapter

### Healing Power of Nature

Mary's outdoor activity improves her appetite and health, and the moor wind is described as beneficial.

### Secrecy and Discovery

The secret garden's history is revealed, and Mary hears a mysterious cry, hinting at hidden secrets in the manor.

### Grief and Healing

Mr. Craven's grief over his wife's death leads to the garden being locked; Mary begins to feel sympathy for others.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Lennox

Begins to thrive outdoors, gains appetite, communicates with the robin, and becomes curious about the secret garden and the crying sound.

### Martha Sowerby

Shares the story of Mrs. Craven's death and the locked garden, and tries to explain away the crying Mary hears.

### Ben Weatherstaff

Mentioned as surly and avoiding Mary; his robin leads Mary to the garden wall.

### Archibald Craven

His hatred of the garden is explained due to his wife's death; he orders that the garden not be discussed.

### Mrs. Craven

Her death from a fall in the garden is recounted by Martha.

## Key lines

> It's th' air of th' moor that's givin' thee stomach for tha' victuals.

The moor's fresh air is making you hungry.

_Martha explains Mary's newfound appetite._

> It was Mrs. Craven's garden that she had made when first they were married an' she just loved it, an' they used to 'tend the flowers themselves.

The garden was Mrs. Craven's creation, which she and her husband tended together.

_Martha recounts the garden's origin._

> But one day when she was sittin' there th' branch broke an' she fell on th' ground an' was hurt so bad that next day she died.

One day the branch she was sitting on broke, causing a fatal fall.

_Martha describes Mrs. Craven's accident._

> There! I told you so! It is someone crying—and it isn't a grown-up person.

Mary insists the crying sound is a child, not an adult.

_Mary identifies the mysterious cry._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_garden_se/chapters/v-the-cry-in-the-corridor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_garden_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_garden_se/chapters