Final answer:
Mary Lennox in 'The Secret Garden' changes from a spoiled and sullen child to a kind-hearted, open, and friendly person through her experiences with the secret garden, her cousin Colin, and friend Dickon which result in her nurturing both the garden and her own personal growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the book The Secret Garden, Mary's personality undergoes a significant transformation. Initially, Mary Lennox is depicted as a spoiled, sullen, and disagreeable child, who has been largely neglected by her parents and servants. Her change begins when she is sent to live with her uncle at Misselthwaite Manor after the death of her parents. The discovery of the secret garden and her interactions with the natural world, as well as with other characters such as Dickon and her cousin Colin, foster a sense of responsibility, compassion, and joy within her. As Mary tends to the garden, she simultaneously nurtures her own growth and development, becoming more kind-hearted, open, and friendly. This transformation is catalyzed by her environment and the nurturing relationships she forms, illustrating the novel's themes of healing and the restorative power of nature.