The Giving Tree By Shel Silverstein

In Shel Silverstein’s acclaimed children’s story, The Giving Tree, Silverstein confronts the unhealthy relationship between humanity and nature. She illustrates this idea through the relationship between a female apple tree and a young boy. The tree would provide for the boy by allowing the boy to eat her apples, play with her leafs, and climb her trunk. Following his entire childhood, Silverstein explores the internal shift within the boy. Slowly, the boy begins to spend less time with the tree and asks for material items. The boy returns to the tree whenever he was in need or at crossroads and the tree was there to comfort the boy. Selflessly, the tree supported and provided for the boy throughout his life. She acted as the boys caregiver.