4. What is the theme of The Secret Garden, and how does Mary's transformation contribute to the development of the theme?

The dominant theme of The Secret Garden is healing. Both Mary Lennox and Colin Craven transform from sickly, friendless, and self-absorbed children to physically and mentally healthy ones. Archibald Craven, Colin's father, emerges from a decade-long depression over the death of his wife to heal by reconnecting with his son. All three characters must heal from the aftermath of death. Mary loses both her parents, Colin loses his mother, and Archibald, his beloved wife. She dies in a freak accident in the secret garden, which Archibald subsequently locks up and neglects.