The Symbolism of the Key

Traces the key as a symbol of access, power, and the unlocking of secrets and potential.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Buried Key

The Buried Key A Gesture of Grief Mr. Craven buried the key to the garden after Lilias's death. He wanted to lock away his pain. The key became a symbol of loss. Lost for Ten Years The key lay hidden in the earth. No one knew where it was. The garden remained locked, a secret kept by the soil. Waiting to Be Found The key waited for someone to discover it. It represented the possibility of unlocking the past and finding new life.

Mary Finds the Key

Mary Finds the Key The Robin's Guidance Mary finds the key after the robin shows her a freshly dug hole. The key is rusty but intact. It feels significant. A Magical Object Mary believes the key is magical. It is the key to the secret garden. Holding it gives her a sense of power. The First Step Finding the key is the first step to entering the garden. It unlocks not just a door but a new world. The key is a symbol of hope.

Using the Key

Using the Key The Lock Turns Mary inserts the key into the lock and turns it. The door opens. The key has fulfilled its purpose. A New World Mary steps into the garden. The key has unlocked a paradise. It is a moment of transformation. The Key's Power The key is no longer just a piece of metal. It is a symbol of Mary's agency. She has unlocked her own potential.

The Key Becomes a Keepsake

The Key Becomes a Keepsake No Longer Needed The door is left unlocked. The key is no longer necessary. But it remains a treasured object. A Symbol of the Journey The key represents the journey from secrecy to openness. It is a reminder of how the garden was found. Passed On? The story does not say what happens to the key, but it likely becomes a keepsake. It is a symbol of the magic that started everything.

ten years before the story

a few weeks after Mary's arrival

the day Mary enters the garden

after the garden is revived