# XIX: “It Has Come!” explained — The Secret Garden

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

## What happens

Dr. Craven visits Colin after his tantrum and is astonished to find him cheerful and planning to go outside with Mary and Dickon. Mary's influence has calmed Colin, and Dr. Craven approves of Dickon as a companion. Colin sleeps well and wakes feeling refreshed, and Mary announces that spring has arrived, bringing news of new life in the garden and a newborn lamb.

## Themes in this chapter

### Healing Power of Nature

Fresh air, spring, and the garden are central to Colin's physical and emotional recovery.

### Transformation and Growth

Colin's dramatic change from hysterical invalid to hopeful boy mirrors the garden's rebirth.

### Friendship and Connection

Mary's friendship and Dickon's influence are key to Colin's improvement, as noted by Mrs. Medlock and Dr. Craven.

## Character check-ins

### Colin Craven

Shows remarkable improvement, sitting up, laughing, and planning to go outside; feels relaxed and hopeful after Mary's influence.

### Mary Lennox

Brings news of spring's arrival, describes the garden and the newborn lamb, and encourages Colin to breathe fresh air.

### Dr. Craven

Visits Colin, is perplexed by his improvement, approves of Dickon, and reflects on the changes.

### Mrs. Medlock

Reports to Dr. Craven about Mary's effect on Colin and shares Susan Sowerby's wisdom about children needing children.

### Dickon Sowerby

Mentioned as the strong, trusty boy who will push Colin's carriage and who taught Mary about breathing fresh air; brought a newborn lamb.

### Mrs. Sowerby

Quoted by Mrs. Medlock for her wisdom about children and the 'whole orange' metaphor.

## Key lines

> She just flew at him like a little cat last night, and stamped her feet and ordered him to stop screaming, and somehow she startled him so that he actually did stop

Mary confronted Colin aggressively, commanding him to cease his tantrum, which effectively shocked him into silence.

_Mrs. Medlock describes Mary's bold intervention to Dr. Craven._

> It has come! I thought it had come that other morning, but it was only coming. It is here now! It has come, the Spring! Dickon says so!

Mary announces that spring has fully arrived, as confirmed by Dickon.

_Mary's excited declaration to Colin marks a turning point in the chapter._

> He felt as if tight strings which had held him had loosened themselves and let him go.

Colin experienced a sense of release, as if internal tensions had finally relaxed.

_Describes Colin's newfound comfort and relaxation after a good night's sleep._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_garden_se/chapters/xix-it-has-come
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_garden_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_garden_se/chapters