The Intertwined Construction Of Identity And Dwelling In Mary Lennox's Character In The Secret Garden

Abstract

This article examines how Mary Lennox, the central figure in the novel The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, undergoes an intertwined construction of identity and dwelling. Utilizing Judith Butler's theory of performativity and Greg Garrard’s ecocritical concept of dwelling, this article explores how Mary’s identity is constructed through performativity and her interactions with the natural environment, notably the secret garden itself. This article employs a qualitative descriptive methodology and close reading technique to trace how Mary's identity constructs from a disagreeable child into a cheerful and expressive individual. The findings indicate that Mary's identity is not fixed but an ongoing construct rooted in how she interacts with the environment around her. The secret garden remains a crucial setting for Mary to forge her identity through emotional connection, belonging, and healing. This article contributes to the field of children’s literature studies by explaining how performativity and dwelling intersect in the construction of character identity.