Where did the children use to play? Ans: The children used to play in the Giant's garden, which was a large, lovely garden with soft green grass, beautiful flowers, and twelve peach trees.
What did the Snow and the Frost do to the garden? Ans: The Snow covered the grass with her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the trees silver. Together, they made the garden cold and uninviting, keeping it in a state of perpetual winter.
What did the Giant hear when he was lying awake in bed? Ans: The Giant heard some lovely music, which he thought was the King’s musicians passing by. However, it was actually a little linnet singing outside his window.
Why do you think the spring season never came to the Giant's garden? Ans: The spring season never came to the Giant's garden because he was selfish and did not allow the children to play in it. His selfishness caused the garden to remain in a perpetual state of winter, as the beauty and warmth of spring could not enter a place filled with selfishness and exclusion.
How did the Giant realize his mistake? Ans: The Giant realized his mistake when he saw the children playing in his garden after a long time. He noticed that the trees and flowers blossomed only when the children were there, and the cold winter remained in the garden when they were absent. This made him understand that his selfishness had kept spring away, and he regretted his actions. His heart melted, and he decided to let the children play in his garden forever.
Reference to the Context
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
"How happy we were there!" they said to each other.
Where does 'there' refer to? Ans: "There" refers to the Giant's garden, where the children used to play happily before the Giant built a high wall around it.
What does 'they' refer to? Ans: "They" refers to the children who used to play in the Giant's garden.
Why are they saying so? Ans: They are saying this because they are reminiscing about the joyful times they had playing in the beautiful garden before the Giant prevented them from entering it.
“I have many beautiful flowers,” he said; “but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all.”
Who is the speaker? Ans: The speaker is the Giant.
Who is he speaking to? Ans: The Giant is speaking to himself, on the beauty of the children playing in his garden.
Who are 'the children' that the speaker is referring to? Ans: The children are the ones who used to play in the Giant's garden and brought joy and life to it.
Why is the speaker saying that 'the children are the most beautiful flowers of all'? Ans: The speaker is saying this because he realizes that the true beauty in his garden comes not from the flowers or trees, but from the presence and happiness of the children who play there. Their joy and innocence are what truly bring life to the garden.
When the little child smiled at the Giant and said to him, "You let me play once in your garden, today you shall come with me to my garden, which is Paradise," shortly afterwards, the happy Giant dies. What is the coincidence of this event? Describe it in relation to this fairy tale. Ans: The coincidence in this event is that the little child, who represents a divine or spiritual figure, offers the Giant entry into Paradise just as the Giant has learned the value of love, kindness, and selflessness. The Giant’s death symbolizes his redemption and the reward for his change of heart. The story portrays the idea that by embracing love and compassion, the Giant is welcomed into a heavenly paradise, thus completing his journey from selfishness to selflessness.
The story makes use of personification as one of the main figures of speech. Cite three examples of personification from the story. What is the significance of the seasons personified in the story? Ans: Examples of personification:
The Snow and Frost are described as characters who actively cover the garden with cold and keep it in winter.
The North Wind is personified as a being that roars around the garden and blows down chimney pots.
The trees are personified when they speak to the little boy, asking him to climb up and trying to help him.
Significance:
The personification of the seasons emphasizes the emotional atmosphere of the garden. When the Giant is selfish, the seasons of winter, frost, and snow dominate the garden, reflecting the coldness of his heart. However, when the Giant learns to love and care for others, spring returns, symbolizing the warmth and life that comes from kindness and generosity.
This story can be read as a fairytale, where the children, the seasons, the tree, the corner of the garden, the snow, the wind, and the frost are all used as symbolism. Interpret those symbols. Ans:
Children: They symbolize innocence, joy, and the life-giving force of love and community.
Seasons (Spring and Winter): Spring represents renewal, life, and happiness, while Winter symbolizes coldness, selfishness, and isolation.
Tree: The tree can symbolize growth, support, and the idea of nurturing life, particularly when it bends down to help the little boy.
Corner of the Garden: The farthest corner represents the last place where selfishness lingers, signifying that even a small amount of selfishness can prevent complete happiness.
Snow, Wing and Frost: These elements symbolize the harshness and barrenness that come from a lack of love and community.
Which figure of speech is used for ‘winter, frost, snow, north wind, hail, and little child’? Who is the little child compared to? Ans:
Figure of Speech: The figure of speech used is personification, where winter, frost, snow, north wind, and hail are given human characteristics.
Comparison of the Little Child: The little child is compared to a divine or Christ-like figure, especially when he is described with the prints of nails on his hands and feet and speaks of Paradise.
Reference beyond the text
What is the main theme of this story? Ans: The main theme of "The Selfish Giant" is the transformative power of love and kindness. The story emphasizes how selfishness and isolation lead to coldness and despair, both literally and metaphorically, as seen in the perpetual winter in the Giant’s garden. However, when the Giant learns to care for others and opens his heart to the children, warmth, joy, and beauty return to his life. The narrative also touches on themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the idea that true happiness comes from sharing and caring for others.
Does God punish those who are cruel to children and very selfish? Ans: In the context of the story, it suggests that those who are cruel and selfish suffer the consequences of their actions through the coldness and loneliness they create for themselves. The Giant's garden remains in a state of winter as long as he is selfish, symbolizing the punishment of living a life devoid of warmth and joy. However, the story also highlights that redemption is possible. When the Giant changes his ways and becomes kind and loving, he is forgiven and rewarded with entry into Paradise. This suggests that while selfishness and cruelty bring about their own punishments, there is always the possibility of redemption through love and kindness.
