You can see it by clicking HERE. After seeing it on every must read book list, I first read The Giving Tree last year when my oldest had just turned 4. That is the moral I got out of this book. He has wants, needsÉand the tree tries her best to make him happy by giving him all that she has to offer. Why is happiness important? Here's the missing last page of The Giving Tree: A great lesson in why not to give blindly, and not love a person who is bad for you. In the end the boy returns, too old to want or need anything more than a "quiet place to sit and rest." Oh, and I forgot to mention the book Love You Forever...I DISLIKE that book...but only because it is so sad. @inkling - I really like your interpretation and continue to be amazed by the many interpretations this book allows for. Why is she happy? When I first read this (while in college) I thought it was unconditional - "I would die for you" - love. I guess it would be what a friend should be and to what extent it can go. As a dedicated Mac user, this is my favorite. I think there are many valuable points. Her own parents were kind of wretched and I guess she saw my mother as the tree character, and meant it as a great gesture. Get access risk-free for 30 days, Define love in your own words. What do you think would make you happy? Children should not feel guilty about their parents trying to be good parents. What shows that the boy loves the tree? Will you keep it? The house? Define selfish in your own words, now define selfless. Did money make him happy? It is clear that people can give just about anything; the more personal (hence rarer), the more closely tied to the person's feelings and the more valuable. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Would this make you happy? What Is Service Intangibility in Marketing? What is he busy doing? Do you feel better when she does? 's' : ''}}. Healing thoughts to you and your daughter. Why or why not? Define happiness in your own words. A friend forgets her lunch money so you lend her some of yours. Indeed, no religion or philosophical system would be complete without an account of happiness. A few months ago I saw a brand new copy for $.25 and I couldn't pass it up even though I strongly disliked the book. value not to be found in store-bought items. Why do we change as we grow? Between festivals I create art (I'm not an artist) for the festival only to have some taken from me by the attendees. If someone gives you a present on your birthday does that mean that the person loves you? Questions about the appropriate way for humans to treat natural objects are cogently presented by The Giving Tree. Is the boy happy? This is beautifully represented at the end of the book when the boy just simply wants to rest with the tree. While I have enjoyed and expanded from all the comments shared here, yours really helped me look at this book from a new perspective and definitely with a new appreciation for the book. In other words, do we know it when we see it? I think a good moral would be that "In giving you recieve" This childrens book still makes me cry. Obviously, some people are upset by the book. It makes sense that your kids love LOVE YOU FOREVER because, despite what we adults perceive as creepy about the book, there is a recognizable (to little kids especially) expression of love on the part of the mother. As a young adult, after the death of my grandmother, the story broke my heart, because I realized that i was the boy, and she was my giving tree. What do you think about people who have an opposite philosophy? To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. I have regifted or discarded(in the trash) every copy I have received...all at baby showers during my four pregnancies. Are you the type of person who gives something and expects something in return? Korin and Sltartt - you both have my vote. Can pets love people back? Are you able to make your friend happy again? And in the present age, material things are so easy to come by that the gift itself is worth less and less. The Question and Answer section for The Giving Tree is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Why or why not? When the boy comes back at the end of the story he is too weak, too old and too tired to do what he did when he was young. When the boy sits down to rest the tree is happy. And I think you also really capture why this book is still being purchased, given as a gift and read widely. Thanks for your insight! I have never read it to him. I don't have kids but I still enjoy this book as a contemporary read for adults. Why do you think he wants to leave? Love it or hate it, it moves us. credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. Does she love the boy any less when he is not there? I don't mind the book, and I have read it to my children. Even Jesus asked things of his followers and had expectations for their behavior, but the tree and the singing mother don't, and THAT is the kernel of these books that rubs me the wrong way and elicits strong feelings. Relationships that involve giving and receiving need not be confined to person-to-person configurations, but could exist between groups (e.g. 4. How do you know? Even though THE GIVING TREE is artful and spare in its presentation and story telling and I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER is maudlin, syrupy and hideously illustrated, BOTH books have a character that gives selflessly and takes whatever paltry return expressions of love and thanks (if any) are thrown back her way, never asking anything of the "child." Why or why not? Sigh...Or that climbing into a window and cradling your adult child and rocking them is a good idea. Is a tree's happiness as important as a human's? When my kids were little. Can they sometimes? Using these terms, how would you categorize the boy and the tree? If you're the recipient of a gift, do you feel you owe the giver? Indeed, a handmade gift would represent a significant investment of time and effort Ð love in action? (It has been interesting to read here the other interpretations, which I have never considered.) Is there some inherent inadequacy on the part of, say, money, that leaves its pursuers short of happiness? The money? If not, why not? Why were you happy? Great discussion with my kids about it. They learned what manipulation can look like. all represent an unbalanced and abusive relationship with nature that amounts to wholesale taking with little giving. Study Guide for The Giving Tree. In a cynical way, I think it's about the greed of man. After the boy cuts down her trunk, the tree is "happyÉbut not really.". I am so glad to see that other people see the book as I do! Well said, Dr. And non-judging. Explain. I have had several different thoughts on this over the years. Discuss why you chose your answer. Explain why or why not? Our wants/desires change. Naturally, there are many tattoos of images from the book. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? If money could make you happy, how much would it take? Use specific scenes from the story to support your answer. The Giving Tree has a really great moral to the story. I do not think this accurately reflects all parent/child relationships, but when you continue to take without giving in return you most likely end up unhappy.