# Ben Weatherstaff explained — The Secret Garden

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

## What happens

Colin experiences the magic of spring in the secret garden, growing stronger and more hopeful. The afternoon is filled with wonder as he watches nature, eats tea with Mary and Dickon, and declares he will grow and walk. Their peace is shattered when Ben Weatherstaff appears on the wall, furious at discovering the children in the garden.

## Themes in this chapter

### Healing Power of Nature

Colin's physical and emotional transformation is directly tied to his immersion in the spring garden, which brings color to his face and hope to his heart.

### Transformation and Growth

Colin declares he will grow and walk, marking a pivotal shift from invalid to active child, mirroring the garden's rebirth.

### Friendship and Connection

The bond between Mary, Dickon, and Colin deepens as they share the secret of the garden and work together to nurture Colin's recovery.

## Character check-ins

### Colin Craven

Thrives in the garden, shows color in his face, declares he will grow and walk, begins to lose his fear.

### Mary Lennox

Shares in the joy of the garden, believes in Dickon's Magic, is confronted by Ben Weatherstaff.

### Dickon Sowerby

Works in the garden, reassures Colin about his legs, speaks of the robin's nesting habits.

### Ben Weatherstaff

Discovers the children in the garden from his ladder, expresses anger and threatens Mary.

## Key lines

> One of the strange things about living in the world is that it is only now and then one is quite sure one is going to live forever and ever and ever.

Rare moments in life make one feel immortal.

_Opens the chapter with a philosophical reflection on the fleeting sense of eternity._

> I've seen the spring now and I'm going to see the summer. I'm going to see everything grow here. I'm going to grow here myself.

Colin commits to experiencing the full cycle of seasons and to his own personal growth.

_Colin's declaration of intent to live and thrive, a key moment of transformation._

> If I wasn't a bachelder, an' tha' was a wench o' mine, I'd give thee a hidin'!

If I were your father, I'd beat you.

_Ben Weatherstaff's angry outburst upon discovering the children in the garden._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_garden_se/chapters/xxi-ben-weatherstaff
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_garden_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_garden_se/chapters