How we cite our quotes: (Page Number)
Quote #4
But the boy stayed away for a long time…and the tree was sad. And then one day the boy came back and the tree shook with joy and she said, "Come, Boy, climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and be happy." (41)
Whether the tree is a mother figure, a wannabe girlfriend, or a representative of the natural world here, we can't help but feel a little sorry for her. The boy has been off doing his thing, and she's been alone, pining for his return. And, of course, you know that he's going to (a) not take her up on the climbing offer and (b) make another selfish demand. Sigh.
Quote #5
But the boy stayed away for a long time. And when he came back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak. (46)
This is another one of those quotes that makes you really uncomfortable when you focus on the gender aspect of the story. Again, it seems to show a male (the boy) who has the freedom to seek his fortune while a female (the tree) depends on his return for her happiness. Granted, the boy never seems happy, but at least he's able to come and go as he pleases.
Quote #6
And the tree was happy. (54)
This quote appears throughout the book, but it's the very last one we're concerned with here. The tree, who has been reduced to a stump, is happy when the boy, now an old man, decides to use her as a stool. Some people see the boy sitting on the tree's stump as a final insult. Others see this last action, and the tree's resulting happiness, as an indication that generosity and selflessness have always been reward enough for the tree and that she really is happy. What do you think?