How we cite our quotes: (Page Number)
Quote #4
And so the boy cut down her trunk and made a boat and sailed away. And the tree was happy…but not really. (48-51)
Aha! We've been waiting for this. This time, when the boy carts off the tree's trunk, leaving her with nothing but a stump, she isn't really happy. The question is...why? Why now? Has the boy finally taken things one step too far? Is the tree sad that the boy plans to sail far away? Is she upset that she doesn't have anything left to give? Or is something else going on here? And, of course, you can take this discussion one step further and try to figure out if all of her previous declarations of happiness were sincere.
Quote #5
"I don't need very much now," said the boy, "just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired." (54)
Hmm. Is the fact that he doesn't need very much now an indication that, finally, the boy has found some satisfaction? Or is it just that he's too tired to crave what he doesn't have?
Quote #6
"Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest." And the boy did. (54-55)
Every other time the tree has invited the boy to spend time with her, climbing her trunk, swinging from her branches, playing and whatnot, he's replied with "I want." This time, though, he does as she says. He sits, and he rests. As he contemplates his life from the perspective of his seat on the stump, will he be satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things went? Why?