Mary, the hero of The Secret Garden, is a lonely and selfish little girl. Her parents died in India, and she was sent to England to live with her uncle craven. In the manor, she found an abandoned garden, through which she found her inner world and helped two other children-sick Colin and optimistic Deakin.

Mary in the novel has undergone great changes. At first, she was a selfish, withdrawn and grumpy girl. However, after she discovered the secret garden and began to interact with the plants and animals there, her personality gradually changed. She became more compassionate, kind and considerate. She learned to care about other people's feelings, especially Colin and Deakin. This change enabled her to establish a deep friendship with her two children, and with their help, she gradually overcame her shortcomings.

Generally speaking, the hero in the novel is very successful. Her growth and change make readers feel her inner world, and at the same time, it also causes readers to think about possible problems in their own personality. This characterization not only endows the novel with profound themes, but also inspires readers in the reading process.