The Giving Tree is intended to play off of the book with the same title. As the book ends stating that the “boy”, now an old man, only wants a place to sit and rest. I’ve always leaned more towards the unhealthy relationship ideology of this book. Had this been the trees final form, would she have still proclaimed her happiness for assisting the man or would she truly see the unhealthy and destructive individual she assists. Let me know your thoughts either through email or at “Art of the Rhino” on Facebook.