“The tree was happy” with this last stage of giving. The boy meets the tree once more as an elderly man and says that he really needs “a quiet place to sit and rest,” which the tree could give.

Most of the tree’s trunk has been cut down, and she is not happy now since she is left with just a stump. In the end of the poem, the boy and the tree realize how damaging their “taking” and “giving” natures has turned. Fulfilling his wishes makes the tree happy. The boy gains a house from her branches, money from her apples, and a boat from her trunk. Each time, the tree gives the boy parts of herself in an effort to make the boy happy. However, as time passes by, the boy spends less time with the tree and only visits her when he needs material gains at different points of his life. He eats her apples, swings from her branches, and climbs her trunk. The boy enjoys playing with the tree throughout his childhood. Even though the boy grows old in the story, the tree addresses him as “boy” his entire life. The tree is very “giving,” and the boy grows into a “taking” teenager. The book follows the lives of a young boy and a beautiful apple tree, who form a strong connection with each other. It is a poem that celebrates nature’s giving to mankind and laments humans’ taking, reminding the readers that happiness in life exists in the little things. Shel Silverstein, a man of many talents, wrote and illustrated the poem “The Giving Tree,” one of his most well-known works in a children’s picture book in 1964.

Analysis of Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” “well, an old stump is good for sitting and restingĪnd the tree was happy. “I don’t need very much now,” said the boy. “I wish that I could give you something…. “I want a house to keep me warm,” he said. “I am too busy to climb trees,” said the boy. The Giving Tree BY SHEL SILVERSTEINīut the boy stayed away for a long time….Īnd she said, “Come, Boy, climb up my trunkĪnd swing from my branches and be happy.” The poem celebrates nature’s giving, and laments humans’ taking, and reminds us about the little things in life that bring us the most happiness. It is published as a children’s picture book. It was written and illustrated by him in the year 1964. “The Giving Tree” is one of Shel Silverstein’s most well-known works.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein