The Secret Garden · Chapter
A Young Rajah explained
Mary reveals to Martha that she has discovered Colin and spent the night talking with him.
What happens
Mary reveals to Martha that she has discovered Colin and spent the night talking with him. Colin asserts his authority to protect Martha from Mrs. Medlock, and Mary compares him to a Rajah. Mary tells Colin about Dickon and the moor, sparking Colin's curiosity about the living world outside his room.
Themes in this chapter
Healing Power of Nature
Mary's descriptions of the moor and Dickon's connection to wildlife begin to shift Colin's focus from death to life, suggesting nature's restorative potential.
Secrecy and Discovery
Mary's discovery of Colin and their agreement to keep their meetings secret from Mrs. Medlock deepens the theme of hidden knowledge.
Transformation and Growth
Colin begins to show signs of change as he listens to Mary's stories, moving from a fixation on dying to curiosity about living things.
Characters to notice
- Mary Lennox
Mary boldly discovers Colin, talks with him through the night, and later tells Martha and Colin about Dickon and the moor, sparking Colin's interest in life.
- Colin Craven
Colin is found crying by Mary, but he welcomes her company, asserts his authority over the servants, and shows growing curiosity about the moor and Dickon.
- Martha Sowerby
Martha is frightened that Mary's discovery of Colin will get her in trouble, but Colin reassures her of his protection.
- Dickon Sowerby
Dickon is described by Mary as a boy who can charm animals and knows everything about the moor, sparking Colin's fascination.
- Mrs. Medlock
Mrs. Medlock is mentioned as the housekeeper who might punish Martha if she learns of Mary's visits to Colin.
Key passages
“It's the most beautiful place," protested Mary. "Thousands of lovely things grow on it and there are thousands of little creatures all busy building nests and making holes and burrows and chippering or singing or squeaking to each other. They are so busy and having such fun under the earth or in the trees or heather. It's their world.”
Mary insists the moor is beautiful, full of countless plants and animals all actively creating homes and communicating, making it their own lively world.
Mary passionately defends the moor's beauty to Colin, contrasting his view of it as bare and dreary.
“I'll tell you who would put you in the humor, perhaps," said Mary reflecting. "I believe Dickon would. He's always talking about live things. He never talks about dead things or things that are ill.”
Mary suggests that Dickon could improve Colin's mood because Dickon focuses entirely on living, healthy things and never dwells on death or sickness.
Mary introduces Dickon as a positive influence, emphasizing his life-affirming nature.
“Once in India I saw a boy who was a Rajah. He had rubies and emeralds and diamonds stuck all over him. He spoke to his people just as you spoke to Martha. Everybody had to do everything he told them—in a minute. I think they would have been killed if they hadn't.”
Mary compares Colin's commanding tone with Martha to a young Indian Rajah she once saw, who was adorned with jewels and whose orders were obeyed instantly on pain of death.
Mary draws a parallel between Colin's authority and that of a Rajah, highlighting his imperious behavior.