Stereotypes In Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree

Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree illustrates the relationship between a personified tree and a man as he grows up. This relationship is characterized by a clear hierarchy in that the tree is willing to do anything for the boy. Although the tree is gender-classified one can further assume it is female by examining the steretoypes Silverstein replicates throughout the story. Once it has been determined that the tree is female and child male, it is simple to find the correlation between their relationship and that of men and women throughout history. Silverstein uses two of his most well-known characters in order to make a subtle social commentary on gender equality.

In order to understand the point Silverstein is trying to make, it is necessary to determine with certainty that the tree in the story represents all females. While the tree is referred to by female pronouns throughout the story, this is common in writing about nature and is not definitive. Examining how both characters in this story exemplify the stereotypes associated with their gender

reveals Silverstein's point.
The boy in the story takes part in stereotypical male activities and holds typical masculine ideals. In the beginning he “climb[s] up [the tree's] trunk and swing[s] from her branches” (Silverstein 1). Reckless behaviour, such as climbing trees, is often associated with young boys. Later in the story the boy, then a man, comes to the tree in hopes that she will help him create a home so he can build a family. It is a traditionalist idea that a man must secure property for his family: “ 'I want a wife and I want children, / and so I need a house” (1). The male character in Silverstein's story is clearly meant to represent the cliché idea of masculinity.
Similarily, the author also make use of gender stereotypes in order to, one can assume, define the tree's gender. Coinciding with society's idea of mothering, the tree provides care for the boy who “would sleep in her shade” (1) after he finishes playing. The conditioned belief that women are to behave in a mothering way, as the tree does, serves to further prove the idea that the tree represents all women. It is clear that the tree is not only referenced as female through pronoun use but also presents the learned qualities of feminity.
Silverstein uses these implied classifications in order to represent the systematic oppression of women throughout history.

Although The Giving Tree was published after women were ruled to be people and given the right to vote, females continue to be disadvantaged by society in modern day. Silverstein's writing was and remains to be relevant. The entire chronicle is about the man finding a void in his life and then proceeding to harm the tree in order to fill it. Originally, he harmlessly plays on her brances. While this leaves no lasting harm, when he comes next the boy takes her apples to sell for money. It is clear that he prioritizes himself over the tree as some men felt towards women throughout history. By the end of the story the man has taken everything from the tree and simply uses the tree as “an old stump... good for sitting [on]” (2). The man shows no remorse in destorying the tree for his own

gain.
Another part of gender inequality that Silverstein makes commentary on is the idea that women should be happy being treated as inferior. As the male character gradually removes all the tree's limbs and physical being, she is consistently still described as happy. In only one instance is the tree actually unhappy with her unfortune. Besides this, she is always pleased to be serving the male character. The tree's approval is meant to symbolize the internalization of seeming inferiority by women throughout history.
In fact, near the end of the tale, the tree recounts her losses and the man continues to focus on his own misgivings instead of being concerned with her losses:
"I am sorry, Boy,"
said the tree," but I have nothing
left to give you -
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak
for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone,"
said the tree. " You
cannot swing on them - "
"I am too old to swing
on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone, " said the tree.
"You cannot climb - "
"I am too tired to climb" said the boy. (2)
It is apparent in this and all interactions between the boy and the tree that the male character believes he is superior and entitled to anything he pleases.
In all aspects, the male character in The Giving Tree disadvantages the clearly female personified tree. This unfortunate hierarchy is present not only within Shel Silverstein's story but also throughout history. The author's masterful use of gender dynamics sends a clear message about gender inequality. Silverstein's story begs two questions of the reader: how relevant is this oppressive tale to modern society and what level of responsbility does each person have to incite change?