The Secret Garden Contrasting Regions: India and England Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

Colin was delighted and so was Mary. Fired by recollections of fakirs and devotees in illustrations Colin suggested that they should all sit cross-legged under the tree which made a canopy.

"It will be like sitting in a sort of temple," said Colin. (23.54-55)

Even though The Secret Garden presents a somewhat ambiguous portrait of British India, there's no denying that Mary's upbringing there has had a huge cultural effect on her. Not only does she sing to Colin in Hindi, but she also tells him stories about holy men in India that inspire Colin's ideas about the Magic in their Secret Garden. India is a richly meaningful place for Mary, even if it's not totally a happy memory for her.