The Giving Tree Thesis

“I guess that's part of loving someone. You’ll sacrifice everything for them, even when they'll give you nothing in return.” - Lauren Oliver. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a fictional book that is about the relationship between a boy and a tree. In the beginning of the story, the boy and the tree played games all day and bonded. The tree is very happy when she and the boy interact because he brings joy and companionship to her life. As the story continues the boy becomes less and less interested in the tree and more interested in outside life. When the boy needed something he would come back complaining about what he wants and the tree would offer him something, and he would take it without hesitation. Happiness does not result from what we get, but what we give.
Throughout the story Shel Silverstein sends a message on how giving is more important than receiving. In the story the boy comes to the tree for the
Seeing as to how there’s a big problem of global warming and deforestation. This book touches on our selfishness toward the environment. The tree is symbolic of the Earth and the boy is the human race and how we constantly take from our Earth for our own gain without giving back. Although this is a children's book it talks about more mature issues such as environmental problems, greed, and willingness to give to others without expecting anything in return.
In conclusion “The Giving Tree” teaches lifelong lessons such as “It’s better to give than to receive” and “Material objects don't bring happiness as much as emotions do” This book also teaches us not to turn our backs on those who helped us the most, as the boy got older he wanted more and more from the tree and he never even said thank you. So take a moment, appreciate your parents for all they’ve done for you, go and thank them. Because they won’t be there forever, and you’ll miss them when they’re