Anne of the Island Never Fails to Inspire Me
I read it often, and never tire of it!
Confident, ambitious, kind, helpful, dreamy. These are all words which describe Anne Shirley, the heroine of Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery, one of the books in the much-loved Canadian Anne of Green Gables series.
My grandmother gave me this book when I was 11, and it is the most inspirational book I have ever read. This is because it concerns profound themes of friendship, death and love, and because of Anne’s wonderful character. Many young girls admire Anne, and want to grow up to be just like her.
Anne certainly has some difficult lessons to learn in this book. She is no longer the red-haired scamp of Anne of Green Gables, always getting into scrapes, such as hitting her competitor Gilbert Blythe over the head with her slate, and dying her hair green accidentally.
She is 18, and leaving her beloved Prince Edward Island to study a BA at Redmond College in Kingsport. This is in the late 19th century, when it was unusual for girls to study at university. She hates leaving Marilla, the twins, and many of her friends at Avonlea behind, but she is ambitious, and wants to further her teaching career.
She isn’t studying alone. Gilbert is studying medicine, and Anne soon meets up with her old friend Priscilla. The girls soon meet the charming Philippa who can’t decide between her beaus, but is rather keen on Gilbert.
How to Be a Friend Like Anne
Priscilla, Anne and Philippa share a lovely cottage called Patty’s Place. Here, they support each other, and they are not afraid to tell each other their honest thoughts.
For example, Anne tells Philippa that she never takes anything seriously, and Philippa gives Anne a lecture about refusing Gilbert Blythe’s proposal.
Anne is the kind of friend everyone would like to have, although she is not as amusing as Philippa. She always tries to be helpful, and she is not afraid to face up to big issues. She visits her old friend Ruby Gillis when she is dying, and reassures Ruby about heaven, assisting her to face her death.
Anne’s idea of friendship falls down when it comes to Gilbert, however. Anne dreams of a romantic, inscrutable man who will sweep her off her feet, and she just wants to be friends with Gilbert, who she sees as prosaic. She gets angry and embarrassed when he starts getting ‘sentimental,’ eventually refusing him. It is understandable that she doesn’t want to spoil a beautiful friendship, but she also doesn’t really want to grow up.
Anne Learns How to Face Death
There is a lot of discussion about death in Anne of the Island. Anne’s friend Ruby dies, and Gilbert almost dies. Ruby’s death made such an impression on me that I photocopied some of the scene in a Commonplace Book, and always thought that it was worth remembering. It is controversial now, though.
At first, Anne doesn’t know how to help Ruby face death. Marilla tells her that she comes back from her visits to Ruby sadder each time. However, Anne comforts Ruby in the end by telling her that she doesn’t think that heaven will be that different from earth in a profound scene.
Anne sees Ruby as shallow and frivolous, and thinks that she hasn’t found anything in her life to prepare her for the great transition ahead. She realizes that she doesn’t want to be like Ruby, and that ‘the life of heaven must be begun here on earth’.
L.M. Montgomery has been accused of ‘preachy, religious overtones’. One reader argues that: ‘Ruby Gillis is pretty and flirts with boys, so can’t be allowed to live, but has to die prettily of consumption’. I am not sure about that, because Philippa is also pretty and flirtatious, but she lives. Ruby’s death can be read as a lesson on being ready for death, or as a punishment for Ruby by the author. I prefer to see it as the first.
Anne is True to Herself
Anne’s imagination is a blessing and a curse. She rejects countless proposals from old friends, finding them either embarrassing, or disillusioning. But she also rejects Gilbert’s proposal leading to an estrangement between them, and a lecture from Philippa. When she does find her ideal man, however, her intuition tells her that something is wrong, and she finally tells him ‘No’ as well.
It is only when Gilbert almost dies, that Anne realizes what she knew all along. It takes her a long time, but she is true to herself in the end.
Anne’s ambition, ability to cope with adversity, and sunny nature are all inspiring. She is also a good and helpful friend, especially to Ruby. Hopefully, she will go on being loved, and inspiring girls for long into the future.
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