The Secret Garden Summary

Plot overview

The Secret Garden is a late-19th-century children’s novel about a spoiled, lonely girl sent from colonial India to live with relatives in a vast, isolated English estate. Mary Lennox arrives at Misselthwaite Manor after a deadly cholera outbreak leaves her orphaned, and she must learn to live in an unfamiliar landscape and with new people.

At the manor Mary meets a handful of crucial figures: the blunt housekeeper Mrs. Medlock, the warm-hearted maid Martha and her brother Dickon, a nature-loving local boy; the mysterious gardener Ben Weatherstaff; and the reclusive master of the house, Archibald Craven. Mary also learns of a locked, long-neglected walled garden and becomes determined to find it. Her curiosity and stubbornness lead her to a hidden key, a secret door, and a robin who guides her. While exploring the house she hears a faint, troubled cry—coming from a hidden, fragile boy named Colin Craven—whose presence deepens Mary’s resolve to bring life and light back to the estate.

The novel follows Mary’s transformation as the children and the garden become intertwined: through play, fresh air, and friendship they begin to change, uncovering secrets of the house and each other without resolving every adult mystery in the background.

Chapter summaries

1. Chapter 1: There Is No One LeftMary Lennox wakes alone in a house struck by cholera and discovers everyone who cared for her is dead or gone.
2. Chapter 2: Mistress Mary Quite ContraryMary annoys other children, hears talk of her uncle and Misselthwaite Manor, and travels to England under Mrs. Medlock's care.
3. Chapter 3: Across the MoorMary travels by train and carriage through rain and a wild moor to arrive at Misselthwaite Manor and is shown to her rooms.
4. Chapter 4: Martha and the GardenMary meets Martha and Ben, learns about the moor, discovers garden doors, and hears about a locked 'secret' garden.
5. Chapter 5: The Cry in the CorridorMary grows healthier outdoors, befriends a robin, learns why the garden is closed, and hears a mysterious childlike cry in the house.
6. Chapter 6: A Long Walk Through RoomsMary explores the empty rooms of Misselthwaite Manor, finds a mouse family, and hears a distant child's cry but is scolded by Mrs. Medlock.
7. Chapter 7: The Key to the GardenAfter a bright spring day, Mary befriends the robin and discovers an old buried key that may open the secret garden.
8. Chapter 8: The Robin Who Showed the WayMary finds the key's purpose when a robin leads her to a hidden door and she enters the long-closed secret garden.
9. Chapter 9: The Strangest HouseMary discovers the hidden walled garden, finds signs of spring, and plots to get tools and seeds with Martha's help.
10. Chapter 10: Introduction to DickonMary meets Dickon, deepens her care for the secret garden, and gains an eager, trustworthy friend.
11. Chapter 11: The Nest of the Missel ThrushMary and Dickon explore the secret garden, discover signs of life, begin clearing and planting, and form a trusting friendship.
12. Chapter 12: Asking for EarthMary meets Archibald Craven, is allowed freedom, asks for a bit of earth to plant, and finds Dickon's note in the secret garden.
13. Chapter 13: I Am ColinMary, sleepless in the storm, follows crying and discovers a hidden, fragile boy who calls himself Colin Craven.
14. Chapter 14: A Young RajahMary discovers Colin cried, befriends him, and their cheerful talk about Dickon and life lightens Colin enough that Dr. Craven and Mrs. Medlock find them together.
15. Chapter 15: Nest BuildingOn a bright spring morning Mary and Dickon discover the secret garden waking, watch the robin building a nest, and plan to bring Colin there.
16. Chapter 16: Mary and Colin's QuarrelMary chooses the garden and Dickon over visiting Colin, provoking a fierce argument that ends with both children storming off.
17. Chapter 17: A TantrumMary confronts Colin during a violent tantrum, rebukes him, proves there's no lump, and soothes him to sleep with a description of the secret garden.
18. Chapter 18: Tha' Munnot Waste No TimeMary tells Colin about Dickon and the secret garden and they plan to bring Colin outdoors to heal him.
19. Chapter 19: Spring Has ComeMary’s companionship and Dickon’s animals help Colin relax and believe in spring, leading to his first joyful recovery moments.
20. Chapter 20: The First Time in the GardenColin is secretly taken into the hidden garden for the first time and is overwhelmed with joy and hope.
21. Chapter 21: Ben WeatherstaffMary, Dickon and Colin spend a perfect spring afternoon in the secret garden until Ben Weatherstaff discovers them and Colin astonishes him by standing and walking.
22. Chapter 22: When the Sun Went DownColin stands, digs, and plants a rose in the secret garden with Mary, Dickon, and Ben Weatherstaff before sunset.
23. Chapter 23: Magic in the GardenColin declares a 'scientific experiment' of Magic, they chant and process through the restored garden as he begins to walk around it.
24. Chapter 24: Let Them LaughDickon's cottage garden and generosity help Mary and Colin grow stronger as they secretly practice 'play actin'' and exercises.
25. Chapter 25: The CurtainSpring deepens in the secret garden as birds nest, the children grow bolder, and Mary and Colin explore the house on a rainy day.
26. Chapter 26: It's Mother!Susan Sowerby unexpectedly enters the secret garden, confirms the children's progress, and everyone celebrates Colin's recovery and faith in the 'Magic.'
27. Chapter 27: In the GardenArchibald Craven, drawn back to Misselthwaite by a sudden calm and a letter, returns to find Colin restored by the secret garden.

Characters

• Mary LennoxProtagonist
• Dickon SowerbyMajor character
• Mrs. MedlockMajor character
• Martha SowerbyMajor character
• The RobinMinor character
• Ben WeatherstaffMajor character
• Colin CravenMajor character
• Archibald CravenMajor character
• Lilias CravenMinor character
• Susan SowerbyMajor character
• Dr. CravenMajor character
• AAyahMinor character

All 12 characters ›