What Humans Can Learn from a GiantIn “The Selfish Giant” Oscar Wilde uses the characteristics of the giant to portray aspects of the human condition including self-sufficiency, selfishness and the inability to recognize sin, but also shows how, just like the Giant, humanity can be saved from these transgressions. People today feel that they can take care of themselves and that they don't need to ask for help, because it is seen as a sign of weakness. In the story, the Giant symbolizes the “giant mentality” that humans possess: that we are strong and capable of achieving things on our own. People are self-sufficient and think that they do not need assistance, similar to a mighty giant. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Another gigantic attitude that human beings possess is that of selfishness. Much of the story consists of how selfish the giant is and how that affects him. Humans don't like to admit it, but on the whole they are quite selfish, and just like giants, many people have numerous possessions that others might enjoy, but they are hidden for personal use. There is a fear that an item might be damaged or abused, but more often than not that item is kept with so much care that it isn't even appreciated by the owner. In “The Selfish Giant,” the garden belonging to the giant is a place where children loved to play. The reader observes that there is no mention of property damage, yet the Giant is furious when he discovers the children in his garden. He exiles them from his garden and builds a wall surrounding it, yet the reader may notice that there is no evidence or mention of the Giant using the garden himself. The Giant only cares about himself and says that the garden belongs only to him and that he "would allow no one to play in it except me". (Hallett and Karasek 257) Soon after the garden is barricaded, spring stops visiting that enclosure and winter resides there all year due to the Giant's sin. The winter is harsh and cold and the Giant waits for it to become spring. Just as the Giant's sinful, selfish heart is cold, so is his once-beautiful garden cold. He is dead to his sin and cannot understand why spring has not come. When people did not accept the good news of Christ, their hearts also died to sin, which parallels the Giant's heart and his garden. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now .Get a custom essay Suddenly a great transformation happens. There is a change in the air, a hope for the Giant and therefore also for humanity. The Giant's heart is touched by the song of a bird, just as a person's heart can be reached and changed by the Holy Spirit, thus transforming him from dead to sin and becoming alive for righteousness. The death of winter goes away and spring returns for the Giant which softens his heart and changes his character from selfish to caring. Wilde effectively uses the parallels between the Giant and the human attitude to demonstrate to the reader the effects that sin can have on a person's life and how they can be redeemed..