The Selfish Giant

Introduction:

The story ‘The Selfish Giant’ is set in a giant’s garden. When the selfish giant stops the children from playing in his garden, the garden turns white with frost. Spring never arrives in his garden. In the story, Oscar Wilde has covered the themes of humility, salvation, compassion, kindness, and love. The Giant is portrayed as extremely selfish and wicked at the start of the story. His joy on seeing the little boy transforms him. When the giant was cold towards the children, everything around him became cold and depressing too. When he had a heart filled with warmth, he grew happier and so was everything around him. The benefits of sharing are clearly shown in the story. Not only does the Giant bring happiness to the children but he also ensures that he will get into Heaven by his act of kindness.

Meanings of words and phrases:

• bore : to carry
• ogre : a hideous giant of fairy tales and folklore that feeds on human beings
• gruff : a rough voice
• trespassers :a person entering someone’s land or property without permission
• prosecuted : punished
• frost: the thin, white layer of ice that forms when the air temperature is below the freezing point of water
• ceased: stop
• casement: a window or part of a window set on a vertical hinge so that it opens like a door
• stole up: move quietly without letting anyone know
• flung : throw
• wicked: evil
• feeble : weak
• marvellous: extremely good or pleasing
• hastened : rush quickly
• slay: kill
• awe : a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder