Where did the phrase that night a forest grew come from?

Answer 1

It comes from the 1963 award-winning children's book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. The actual line is "That very night in Max's room a forest grew...."

In the book, Max's fantasy world begins it's creation with the forest growing. My speculation is that the reference from Dexter relates to the manifesto he creates to disguise the Bay Harbor Butcher; the creation of a fantasy world for the Butcher.

More Information:

Interesting take on the phrase "That Night, A Forest Grew", I never thought it to be related to the fantasy that Dexter created through the manifesto.

My interpretation of the phrase for the Season 2 Episode 7 of Dexter "That Night, A Forest Grew" revolved around the final scene of the episode.

:WARNING SPOILER:

Dexter is staring at the light bulb realizing that Lila's wish for it to be fixed has been fulfilled. (previously the wiring was not working so Lila destroyed the landlords light bulb in order for hers to also be fixed, destructive manipulation).

This sudden but profound realization is visible on Dexter's face, whether he has realized the whole truth that Lila is extremely manipulative, and that she has her eyes set on Dexter. Here is where the phrase fulfills its meaning, "That Night A Forest Grew" can be symbolical, metaphorical to an idea exploding in all its enormity rapidly (A forest growing overnight is an extreme scenario and this is what the title is suggesting has happened in Dexter's mind, Lila's "mask" is now slipping and he can now see her for what she really is, a destructive manipulator.)

Thank you for reading and I hope this has helped answered some peoples questions.

AlienC

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A much earlier origin is:

"THAT NIGHT we anchored in a woody bay,

And sleep no more around us dared to hover

Than, when all doubt and fear has past away,

It shades the couch of some unresting lover,

Whose heart is now at rest: thus night past over

In mutual joy: - around, A FOREST GREW

Of poplars and dark oaks, whose shade did cover

The waning stars prankt in the waters blue,

And trembled in the wind which from the morning flew.

The Revolt of Islam, Canto 9

The Revolt of Islam. By Percy Bysshe Shelley

Shelley uses a lot of words. In the 21st century we often trim them.

dssman

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I also believe that the title of the Dexter-episode refers to Maurice Sendak's book. In the book, the little boy is naughty, gets locked into his room, where a forest starts to grow, with a little boat he escapes to the place where the wild things are. eventually, the little boy gets tired and fed up with all the loud, dangerous and bad things tat the wild things play with him, especially since they plan to eat him up in the end since they like him so much! he quickly returns to mummy, she gives him dinner, everything forgiven.

This is not very different from what Dexter experiences with Lila and Rita. The Shelley-poem is very beautiful.

I say it is kinda obvios that the phrase refers to how long that night actually became.

Answer 2

The phrase "that night a forest grew" is from the book "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson. It refers to the idea that significant growth and change can occur in a short span of time.