Final answer:
The central conflict in 'The Secret Garden' is mainly internal, focusing on Mary Lennox's emotional growth as she nurtures a neglected garden and forms new relationships, paralleling her own development. External conflicts also arise from the environment and household, but these serve to highlight the transformative power of nature and companionship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central conflict in the novel 'The Secret Garden' is primarily an internal conflict faced by the protagonist, Mary Lennox. After the sudden death of her parents, Mary is sent to live with her uncle in Misselthwaite Manor, where she encounters the titular secret garden. The garden, and her efforts to nourish it back to health, serve as a metaphor for Mary's own emotional blossoming. The neglect and abandonment she feels internally mirror the garden's external state. As Mary transforms the garden, she also undergoes a personal transformation, learning to form relationships and to care for others, primarily her cousin Colin.
The novel also presents external conflicts, such as Mary's struggle with the harsh Yorkshire environment and the rigid household of her uncle. However, these external challenges are intertwined with the internal conflicts of the characters, emphasizing themes of healing, connection, and the impact of nature on the human spirit.
Frances Hodgson Burnett uses the characterization of Mary, Colin, and the other major characters to illustrate their personal growth throughout the story. For instance, Colin's journey from being a bedridden child to one who explores the garden, mirrors Mary's own development. The plot of the story focuses on Mary's discovery of the garden, Colin's introduction to it, and their mutual healing, which reaches its climax as the children gain strength and happiness.
The title, 'The Secret Garden,' reflects deeper themes of secrecy, discovery, and the nurturing potential of nature and human compassion.