Anne of Green Gables Lessons and Supporting Evidence
1) Agency over thought and endurance of difficult times:
- Supporting evidence:
- “Do you know,” said Anne confidently, “I’ve made up my mind to enjoy the drive. It’s been my
experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make your mind firmly that you will.
Of course, you must make it up firmly.” (pg. 37)
- In reference to living with Mr. and Mrs. Hammond: “I’m sure I could never have lived there if I
hadn’t an imagination.” (pg. 40)
- Anne’s mastery of her consciousness allows her to enjoy her life more fully. When Anne
expresses her excitement for the picnic, Marilla states, “You set your heart too much on things,
Anne,” said Marilla with a sigh. “I’m afraid there’ll be a great many disappointments in store for
you through life.” Anne responds, “Oh Marilla, looking forward to things is half the pleasure in
them… You mayn’t get the things themselves; but nothing can prevent you from having the fun
of looking forward to them. Mrs. Lynde says ‘Blessed are they who expect nothing for they shall
not be disappointed.’ But I think it would be worse to expect nothing than to be disappointed.”
(pg. 94).
2) Questioning of religious belief and authority
- Supporting evidence:
- Anne is asked if she knows who God is and replies promptly, “God is a spirit, infinite, eternal and
unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” (pg. 49)
Marilla is relieved and states that Anne is not a heathen. Memorization is valued before faith.
- Marilla is embarrassed when Anne states that she instead of kneeling to pray she would, “…
Look up into the sky – up – up – up – into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to
its blueness. And then I’d just feel a prayer.” (pg. 51).
o Marilla paints faith as something that is mandatory on the basis of rules rather than an
emotional connection to God.
o Anne says, “Saying one’s prayers isn’t exactly the same thing as praying.” (pg.76). She
also criticizes the preacher for lacking interest in his prayers, “He was talking to God and
he didn’t seem to be very much interested in it, either.” (pg. 81)
 Ultimately, Anne manifests the feelings that Marilla has censored herself from
saying aloud: “Marilla felt helplessly that all this should be sternly reproved, but
she was hampered by the undeniable fact that some of the things Anne had
said, especially about the minister’s sermons and Mr. Bell’s prayers, were what
she herself had really thought deep down in her heart for years, but had never
given expression to. It almost seemed to her that those secret, uncluttered,
critical thoughts had suddenly taken visible and accusing shape and form in the
person of this outspoken morsel of neglected humanity.” -> It seems as though
Anne, despite not being loved throughout her life, has the greatest grasp on the
meaning of having a relationship with God.
3) The importance of morality over aesthetics
- Supporting evidence:
-
Anne constantly puts beauty and fashion before positive moral and personality qualities. Marilla
points out the flaw in this way of thinking, “Diana is a very pretty little girl. She has black eyes
and hair and rosy cheeks. And she is good and smart, which is better than being pretty.” (pg.
58).
- As Anne develops more human relationships she is able to develop internally and lessen her
focus on external qualities. When Anne begins wearing more fashionable clothing she strikes a
balance between internal and external qualities.
- Anne begins to learn this lesson herself when Rachel Lynde remarks on her appearance. Mrs.
Lynde remarks snidely that Marilla and Matthew did not pick Anne for her looks (pg. 64). Anne
later says to Marilla that “…There’s such a difference between saying a thing yourself and
hearing other people say it.” (pg. 67). In her own way, she is asserting that Mrs. Lynde should
have not been so quick to judge her on her outward appearance.
- Marilla’s position marks the extreme moral view whereas Anne’s original position represents an
extreme view of the value of aesthetics.
o When Anne states that she does not like her new dresses because they are not pretty,
Marilla responds, “I don’t believe in pampering vanity, Anne.” (pg. 78)
4) Speaking truthfully and genuinely
- Supporting evidence:
- Although Anne’s speech is often quick and unfiltered, she is determined to only state what she
truly believes. She is unwilling to offer confessions or apologies when she sees them as being
undeserved or unnecessary. This is true even in cases when it would benefit her.
- “I shall have to stay here for ever then,” said Anne mournfully, “because I can’t tell Mrs. Lynde
I’m sorry I said those things to her. How can I? I’m not sorry. I’m sorry I vexed you; but I’m glad I
told her just what I did. It was a great satisfaction. I can’t say I’m sorry when I’m not can I? I
can’t even imagine I’m sorry.” (pg. 68). Anne only apologizes to Mrs. Lynde after hours of
reflection. While Anne may seem absolutist, she encourages readers to have sincerity. Her
struggles with expressing emotion and sentimentality highlight the dilemma that many people
face when they express what they feel is required of them rather than their true feelings.
- When Marilla’s broach goes missing, Anne is truthful in stating that she did not steal or lose it.
Although she later confesses out of fear of missing her picnic, the lesson remains the same.
Marilla discovers that she is responsible for losing the broach and learns that she would have
been better off trusting Anne than forcing a confession.
o When someone is consistently truthful their words have greater weight