Characters
What is Mary Lennox’s nickname among the servants in India?
Mistress Mary Quite Contrary
In which country does Mary live at the beginning of the story?
India
What strange sound does Mary hear in the manor at night?
The sound of someone crying.
What does Mary’s journey from India to England mainly symbolize?
A journey from neglect and loneliness to growth and renewal.
Who says Mary is “as sour as a lemon”?
Martha
Why was Mary mostly ignored by her parents?
They were busy with parties and did not want the responsibility of raising her.
To which country does Mary move after leaving India?
England
What word do the servants keep repeating that Mary becomes curious about?
“The garden” or “secret garden.”
Why does the robin bird fascinate Mary?
It is curious, friendly, and seems to guide her—unlike anyone she has known.
Who tells Mary, “There’s no sense of you being a maid when you can get out on the moor”?
Martha
What happened to Mary’s parents in India?
They died during a cholera outbreak.
What is Misselthwaite Manor like when Mary first sees it?
Large, gloomy, old, and full of long, empty corridors.
Why is one garden locked up?
Because Mr. Craven locked it after his wife died there.
What does the locked garden represent in the story so far?
Hidden beauty, healing, and potential for change.
When Mary hears crying in the house, what does she first think it might be?
She thinks it might be the wind—or imagination—but suspects it’s a child.
How does Mary behave toward the servants at first?
She is rude, bossy, and demanding.
Why does the moor around the manor seem mysterious to Mary?
She has never seen such wild, open land before.
How does Martha describe the secret garden’s history?
It belonged to Mr. Craven’s wife, who loved it dearly before she died.
What is Mary beginning to learn about friendship and kindness?
They must be earned through care, respect, and genuine interest in others.
What does Mary mean when she says, “I never liked anyone”?
She has never felt love, kindness, or friendship toward others.
What begins to change Mary’s personality after she arrives at Misselthwaite Manor?
Being outdoors, exploring nature, and meeting kinder people like Martha.
How does the weather in England reflect Mary’s mood when she first arrives?
It is cold, gray, lonely, and quiet—just like her feelings.
What clues make Mary determined to search for the garden?
The robin, a hidden door covered in ivy, and hints from servants.
How does nature seem to affect Mary’s behavior and feelings?
It makes her calmer, happier, healthier, and more curious.
What deeper meaning might be hidden in the line: “Everything is waiting to grow, and so are you.”?
Mary, like the garden, has the potential to change, heal, and grow into something beautiful.