Abstract: Frances Hodgson Burnett is a famous American-English playwright and author. Burnett’s children's stories bring her fame all over the world. The Secret Garden, which was entirety published in 1911, is one of her representative works and is regarded as a classic of English children's literature. The Secret Garden is about main characters’ growth process under the influence of the secret garden，Dickon and Mrs. Sowerby. This paper will analyze the influence of the secret garden，Dickon and Mrs. Sowerby on main characters: the secret garden makes Mary become enthusiastic, Colin become self-confident and Mr. Craven become hopeful to everything; Dickon makes Mary become fair and non-discriminate, Colin get good health and friendship and Mr. Craven regain family love and happiness; Mrs. Sowerby makes Mary get freedom and Colin feel motherly love and she also revives Mr. Craven. The paper also emphasizes the power of nature and love. 

Key words: Frances Hodgson Burnett; The Secret Garden; guides

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

1.1 Introduction to Frances Hodgson Burnett and The Secret Garden

  1.2 Literature Review of The Secret Garden

2. The Influence of Guides in the Growth of Mary, Colin and Mr. Craven in The Secret Garden.2

2.1 The Influence of the Secret Garden 

2.1.1 The Effect on Mary: Enthusiasm

2.1.2 The Effect on Colin: Self-Confidence

2.1.3 The Effect on Mr. Craven: Hope

2.2 The Influence of Dickon

2.2.1 The Effect on Mary: Fairness and Non-discrimination

2.2.2 The Effect on Colin: Good Health and Friendship

2.2.3 The Effect on Mr. Craven: Family Love and Happiness

2.3 The Influence of Mrs. Sowerby

2.3.1 The Effect on Mary: Freedom

2.3.2 The Effect on Colin: Motherly Love

2.3.3 The Effect on Mr. Craven: Revival

3. Conclusion12

Bibliography.13

Acknowledgements...14