The Tree’s Changing Condition

The Giving Tree

This thread follows The Tree from flourishing playmate to apple-giver, branchless remnant, felled trunk, and finally stump.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Living Canopy Living Canopy from "The Giving Tree". Living Canopy The Tree has leaves, branches, apples, a trunk, and shade, all available in The Boy’s playful visits.

Living Canopy from "The Giving Tree". Living Canopy The Tree has leaves, branches, apples, a trunk, and shade, all available in The Boy’s playful visits.

Living Canopy The Tree has leaves, branches, apples, a trunk, and shade, all available in The Boy’s playful visits. Fullness in Use Her features serve as parts of a shared world, not yet as a catalogue of what can be lost. A Happy Beginning The Tree’s happiness is tied to the presence and affection of The Boy.

Apples Taken Apples Taken from "The Giving Tree". Apples Taken The Tree gives The Boy her apples to sell. He gathers them and carries them away.

Apples Taken The Tree gives The Boy her apples to sell. He gathers them and carries them away. A Changed Role The Tree becomes a source of practical help as The Boy’s goals change. First Diminishment The story marks the giving as a loss that precedes the more extensive changes to her body.

Branches Removed Branches Removed from "The Giving Tree". Branches Removed The Tree permits The Boy to cut off her branches so he can build a house.

Branches Removed The Tree permits The Boy to cut off her branches so he can build a house. A Altered Silhouette The former site of swinging and play is reduced to a tree without its branches. Cost of Help Her willingness to meet his need changes the very form of the place he once visited.

Trunk Cut Down Trunk Cut Down from "The Giving Tree". Trunk Cut Down The Boy cuts down The Tree’s trunk to make a boat and sails away.

Trunk Cut Down The Boy cuts down The Tree’s trunk to make a boat and sails away. A Life Reduced The Tree loses the central structure that held her upright and supported their earlier activities. An Uncertain Happiness She is described as happy, but not really, revealing that her response no longer feels whole.

Remaining Stump Remaining Stump from "The Giving Tree". Remaining Stump When The Boy returns, The Tree is only an old stump and believes she has nothing left to give.

Remaining Stump from "The Giving Tree". Remaining Stump When The Boy returns, The Tree is only an old stump and believes she has nothing left to give.

Remaining Stump When The Boy returns, The Tree is only an old stump and believes she has nothing left to give. A Changed Capacity Her former gifts are gone, but the stump can still offer a seat. Continuing Usefulness The Tree straightens herself as much as she can and welcomes The Boy to rest.

During The Boy’s childhood

At The Boy’s first adult visit

When The Boy asks for a house

When The Boy seeks a boat

At the ending