Anne with an “E” Who Inspires Me
This is a rewrite of an essay I wrote back in middle school for a standardized test. Unfortunately, I never saw it again after I submitted it, but the idea has stayed with me.
Many young North American girls grew up with the story of Anne of Green Gables. The story of a young Canadian orphan girl who goes to live with her adopted parents, siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The story follows Anne, and her misadventures, and life lessons, and is an 8 book series.
I personally didn’t actually read the books growing up, but my Mom did and found the 1980s movies, with Meghan Follows as Anne, at garage sales, so we watched them in middle school. That being said, this is the only on-screen version that I’d recommend. I fell in love with the character of Anne, and even though she was different she had my level of energy and zeal for life. I was inspired.
Last year I started reading the books, and I love them, though it’s taken me a while because of other reading that has come up. I am still reading it on my tablet though as I can’t carry 8 books everywhere I go. For me it helped to have seen the movies first, I can picture each scene as I read, even if a scene was not in the movie. It’s been fun to read Anne exactly as she was written as well.
Anne speaks her mind, but often not in a controversial way, but in an imaginative way. This has encouraged me to be the vocal person I am while challenging me to inspire others and hopefully not just shout my opinions.
Anne has challenges, and disappointments from the beginning of the books, but despite even the Cuthbert’s being conflicted about whether or not to keep her, as they were hoping to adopt a boy who would be able to help Matthew as a farm hand, she quickly adds great joy, and surprise to their little family.
Although she had a hard life growing up, she finds friends and cares for them deeply. She supports her friends. Her best friend, Diana Barry, is a good friend to Anne as well. Even though the girls’ families go through a conflict because of an innocent mistake Anne made, Anne regains the Barry family’s eternal respect through gracious actions, and unwavering care and kindness. Her friendship with Diana is wonderful, and they continue to be friends across miles; even after Diana is married, Anne always has her friend’s best interest in mind, and at heart.
She doesn’t fall head over heels for the first boy to show interest in her and bug her, Gilbert Blythe. Instead, she is infuriated by his, initial, impolite actions, and doesn’t speak to him at first. She slowly becomes friends with him, as she learns that he is very sorry for his initial actions, he was impressed with her work (nearly daunted), and wants to encourage her. She is likewise impressed by his endeavors. They become good friends, and Anne even supports Gilbert when he’s dating his first girlfriend…I won’t spoil the rest.
Anne is also presented with challenges as she tried to become a teacher, she has to prove herself among qualified candidates, but preservers for the joy of her profession, we also learn that her students are inspired by her teaching and personality.
She invests in the community of Avonlea where she lives, and involves herself, respectably, in politics to honor her adopted father, Matthew. This is particularly endearing to me in that despite others having other views Anne is proud, and polite at the same time concerning her involvement in politics.
Despite the troubles, and challenges in her life, she continues to be imaginative, and a deep thinker. She also allows her ideas to be challenged by those she trusts in an effort to better herself. She makes her own mistakes but corrects them in stride. She is kind to the men, women, and children around her, and respects the work of others while challenging their wrongdoings, not always perfectly mind you. Anne Shirley is a great literary character who deserves to be treasured by readers for years to come.
