45 pages • 1 hour read
Katherine ApplegateWishtree
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
Children’s Bravery and Wisdom Versus That of Adults
The concept that children uphold bravery and wisdom more than their adult counterparts finds voice throughout Applegate’s narrative. The theme presents itself most notably though Samar and Stephen—as well as the actions of the entire elementary school when children and teachers like end up overflowing Red’s branches with the wish that Samar and her family stay in the community. Though one child’s immature actions—carving LEAVE in Red’s trunk—became an inciting incident that caused Red’s owner to move toward felling Red, the actions of children as a whole here show that bravery triumphs over cowardice.
In the face of adult prejudice, bigotry, and harassment, the young Stephen forges solidarity and support for Samar. He does what the adults around him cannot. And he empowers his entire school to do the same—to rally in support for Samar and her family. This is due in no small part to his ability to listen to Red’s story—something that Francesca repeatedly dismisses as childish nonsense.
The theme of adolescent bravery also plays out in the animal world, as Flash the baby opossum emerges as an unlikely hero. By returning to Red’s hollow exactly when the tree-cutter attempts to fell Red, he’s the first animal aside from Bongo to boldly stand with Red and get Red’s felling to stop. Also, Flash willingly puts himself in danger by playing possum in order to try helping Stephen and Samar strike up a friendship. In all of the above-mentioned instances, children are the ones who lead the way forward, over and against the failings of fearful and cruel adults.
The Necessity of Coexistence
In both the human and natural world, territoriality and competition for resources occurs. But interdependence and the simultaneous embrace of one’s own strengths and identity, in tandem with respect and embrace for the uniqueness of others, creates a peaceful and rich coexistence. Applegate skillfully communicates this theme through Red’s multifaceted experience of both the natural and human worlds. Within their own realm, Red brokers unity and friendship between different species of animals by making their peaceful coexistence within their hollows and branches as a non-negotiable condition of tenancy. Red patiently brooks the animals’ squabbles with one another, gently and patiently reminding them to work with one another in order to peacefully live side by side.
Red eventually brings their lesson of coexistence into the world of humans when they transgress the rules of nature by speaking to humans. Red tells the story of Maeve and Amadora to Stephen and Samar as a way to help them. The story of how the Irish Maeve welcomed the Italian baby Amadora, and created a loving home for her, represents the fruition of coexistence. Red transmits their message of acceptance and interdependence in their telling of the story, and Stephen springs into action. He enlists his classmates and then the entire school to show Samar and her family that they are welcome and wanted in the community. In so doing, Stephen enacts Red’s powerful lesson of peaceful coexistence.
The Merits of Understanding Both the Self and Others
In order to overcome the destructive power of bigotry, self-knowledge, and the conviction of the beauty and strength of identity, must pair with compassion. This understanding of the inward and outward experiences allows for informed connections to those who are different. Bongo and Red enact this theme through their friendship. Throughout the narrative, Applegate foils these two characters against each other. Red is rooted to the ground and very old. They are also characteristically prone toward a patient, longsuffering view of things, conducting their life with passive acceptance and an enduring optimism.
Bongo, on the other hand, is a highly opinionated, fiery, sarcastic, and pessimistic character—who soars through the sky while Red remains rooted deep beneath the earth. Red sees, appreciates, and loves these characteristics in Bongo—without ever wishing that they could trade places. Red fully embraces and treasures their role and identity as a tree and wishtree in the community, while simultaneously respecting and revering Bongo’s opposing characteristics. By (literally) rooting and grounding themself in their own robust role and identity, Red can come into a full and compassionate acceptance and understanding for the ways that their dear friend is different from them. And Red can also see that the synergy that happens between themself and their wildly divergent friend serves the life of the community at large.
Red’s observation extends into the human world, as Red guides Stephen’s development of a similar attitude and appreciation and respect for Samar’s differences from the community and from himself. Through Red’s exemplary acceptance of both themself and the diversity around them, they offer a valuable counterpoint to human bigotry and prejudice.
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By Katherine Applegate
