Analysis Of Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree

At one point in a person’s life, one usually finds a companion so strong they would do anything them. At least, there is a common misconception that one can give their all to somebody they care for, simply because they care. The downside is, the relationship turns for the worse. When the giver gives, the taker becomes greedy, and often times, the giver stays around even when they are being clearly exploited. Being taken advantage of and naivety come together hand in hand. Therefore, in Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, the Tree is naive and being taken advantage of because she puts the Boy’s happiness and well-being ENTIRELY above her own, ultimately leading to her self destruction. The Boy also habitually returns to reap the benefits of the Tree because he is knows the Tree will not reject him, and that the Tree even feels sorry on his behalf because of his misfortune. Although some argue that the Tree and the Boy have a mother-son relationship, implying that she is willfully sacrificing for the Boy, it does not disprove that the Boy takes advantage of her, and that she lets him do it. Self care is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one 's own well-being and happiness” and as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one 's own health.” The title character neglects this practice which every person– or in this case, every personified being, owes to their survival. The Giving Tree becomes so absorbed in