The Giving Tree: A Collective Read-through

Eyal Shay read a story to his little girl, but as she dozed off to sleep, he stayed up contemplating its meaning and looking for the story behind the story. When Reddy heard about it, there was a burst of recognition, for this was the story whose plot he’d vaguely known all his life without retaining its name. *UPDATE* – When Reddy said he won’t be able to participate, I reached out to Nikolaus Sabathiel and I’m happy to announce he will be there to contribute and steer the discussion as well. 

Together we bring to you this story about a boy and a she-tree, his constant companion throughout life. That story is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. simple in plot and illustration, but deep in emotion and meaning. At first glance it might appear like we, humans, are out to destroy everything around us just to make ourselves feel important, persistently seeking to derive value and utility out of everything that’s around us. Is the selflessness of the ever-giving tree an ideal match for the selfishness of the ever-taking human?

The Giving Tree offers a wonderful opportunity to examine the fine line between use and abuse, and a host of other ideas pertaining to morality, childhood, environmentalism, and more.

There are many nuances and perspectives begging further exploration, and we invite you to join us for a collective read-through. Let’s all come together and read the story, maybe even enact scenes to fall into the characters and then express our opinions from that state of trance. The entire story can be read in just a few minutes, so have a read and let the thoughts marinate before you come in.

Let your opinions hang loose for you may want to trade them for another’s halfway through.

Between now and the salon:

– Listen to our first conversation about this story

– Read the full story: The Giving Tree

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