3. The Selfish Giant - Class 8 - It So Happened

Author:- Oscar Wilde

Textbook: It So Happened

Genre: Short Fiction

Summary

The story "The Selfish Giant" tells of a giant who owns a beautiful garden where children love to play. However, the Giant, upon returning after a long absence, becomes angry at the children and builds a wall to keep them out. After this, Spring, Summer, and other seasons stop visiting his garden, and it remains in a perpetual state of winter. The Giant realizes his mistake when one day he sees a small boy trying to climb a tree, unable to reach its branches. His heart melts, and he helps the boy. As soon as he does, Spring returns, and joy fills the garden. The Giant knocks down the wall and allows the children to play freely.

He particularly misses the small boy who never returns until many years later, when the Giant is old and feeble. When the boy appears again, he bears marks on his hands and feet that resemble crucifixion wounds. The story ends with the boy inviting the Giant to his own garden—paradise. The next day, the children find the Giant dead under a tree, covered in white blossoms.

Character Sketch

The Selfish Giant:

Initially unkind and possessive, the Giant is transformed by the innocence and love of children. His journey from selfishness to generosity shows his capacity for change and redemption. By the end, he becomes compassionate and selfless, earning spiritual peace.

Themes:-

✨ Literary Devices

Title Justification:-

The title “The Selfish Giant” is apt as it highlights the central character’s journey from selfishness to kindness. Initially, the Giant builds a wall to keep children out, reflecting his greed and possessiveness. However, his transformation after witnessing the sadness and innocence of a little boy shows that love and compassion can melt even the hardest hearts. The story is centered around this personal growth, making the title both relevant and symbolic.

One-Mark Questions

1. Why did the Giant build a wall around his garden?

   → He was selfish and didn’t want children to play in his garden.

   
   

2. What season never came to the Giant’s garden initially?

   → Spring never came because the garden had no children.

   
   

3. Who sang sweetly and brought joy back to the garden?

   → A little linnet (bird) sang sweetly, marking Spring’s return.

   
   

4. Why did the Giant miss the little boy?

   → The boy had kissed the Giant, showing him true affection.

   
   

5. What did the garden symbolize after the Giant’s transformation?

   → It symbolized love, sharing, and happiness.

   
   

Three-Mark Questions

1. How did the children change the atmosphere of the garden?

   → The children brought joy, laughter, and life to the garden. Their presence made the trees blossom and the birds sing, ending the long winter caused by the Giant’s selfishness.

   
   

2. Describe the change in the Giant’s character.

   → The Giant went from being selfish and isolated to kind and loving. His transformation occurred after he saw the sadness of the little boy and realized the value of sharing and caring.

   
   

3. What do the nail marks on the child’s hands and feet suggest?

   → The marks resemble crucifixion wounds, implying the child is a Christ-like figure. This adds a spiritual dimension to the story, symbolizing forgiveness and eternal peace.

   
   

Value-Based Question:

Q: What lesson does the story “The Selfish Giant” teach us about kindness and selfishness?

A: The story teaches that selfishness leads to loneliness and sorrow, while kindness, sharing, and love lead to true happiness. When we open our hearts to others, especially to the innocent joy of children, we create a world full of warmth and peace.

End

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