Sunday, March 11, 2018

Green Gables Read-Along | Discussion 1


Hope you all are having a delightful Sunday! Today's discussion for the Anne of Green Gables read-along covers chapters 1-13. The main discussion is happening at Suey's blog, It's All About Books... You can hop over there to leave a comment or learn about the upcoming Twitter chat! Of course, you're totally welcome to comment here, as well. :)

Suey noted that the following questions came from various websites:

1. In chapter 2, when Matthew is driving Anne back to Green Gables, she asks him: “Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive.” Given her tragic childhood, how do you think Anne is able to maintain such a positive attitude?

My Thoughts: It is pretty incredible to see how positive Anne tends to be despite everything she's endured! But then, she seems to be the kind of person who feels everything in extremes, from the joyful moments to the "depths of despair." I definitely think her big imagination and eager mind help her find a positive side to her difficult circumstances.

2. Anne is insistent on renaming places and inanimate things. Why do you think she does this?

My Thoughts: I think Anne has a deep need for friends and a sense of belonging. As Anne says in chapter 5, "I like things to have handles even if they are only geraniums. It makes them seem more like people." When she names place and objects, she gives them personality and endears them more to herself. But I'm glad Anne now has a chance to make more friends and feel at home. :)

3. Marilla gives several reasons for finally deciding to keep Anne. What reason do you think most changed her mind?

My Thoughts: I guess it was probably Marilla's conscience that really swayed her. She had gotten to know Anne a bit, and it bothered her to think of leaving her with someone who would be unkind to her and mistreat her. But Matthew's love for Anne and Marilla's own growing fondness for her certainly played a part...perhaps the greater part? But it seems like she was fairly determined to send Anne back until she knew what Anne's lot would be if she left Green Gables.

4. If Anne grew up today, would she have been happier with how she looked? What would she have pined for, looks- and fashion-wise? What is our society's equivalent of plumpness, dark hair, and puffed sleeves?

My Thoughts: I think Anne still would find ways to compare herself and come up lacking. It's something we all can struggle with! If her story were contemporary, she might long for a more graceful figure, tame but attractively wavy hair, and the latest jeans or most stylish tops or accessories.

5. How would Anne have turned out if Marilla had let Mrs. Blewett take her? Would that life have crushed Anne's imaginative spirit, or would she have changed in a different way?

My Thoughts: I'm sure Anne would have found ways to hold on to hope, as she had in the other places she'd lived. She would have invented friends and found opportunities to daydream and imagine a different life for herself. But she might not have blossomed and flourished the way she does at Green Gables; she might have spent an unhealthy amount of time in her imaginings and never known real love and family.

* * *

I'm really enjoying rereading this sweet story (I'm sure I've read it at least once!) and immersing myself in the beauty of Green Gables/PEI, along with the quirky but lovable ways of Anne Shirley and her new family and friends. Here are some of my favorite quotes so far...
  • "Not even a brook could run past Mrs Rachel Lynde's door without due regard for decency and decorum."
  • "Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive."
  • "Listen to the trees talking in their sleep.... What nice dreams they must have!"
  • "What good would she be to us?" "We might be some good to her."
  • "It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will."
  • "Down at the base of the cliffs were heaps of surf-worn rocks or little sandy coves inlaid with pebbles as with ocean jewels."
  • "It gives you a lovely, comfortable feeling to apologize and be forgiven, doesn't it?"
  • "Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them."

Don't forget to stop by Suey's blog for information about the upcoming Twitter chat! And please do share your thoughts about these topics or your favorite lines from the first 13 chapters of Anne of Green Gables. :)

10 comments:

lissa said...

I think Anne think of everything as her friend in a way so I like your idea of her making friends even with trees and places and things.

matthew is so sweet. he even brought anne chocolate. I still don't think marilla yield to matthew's wishes to let anne stay but it does play a part.

I like that you include quotes. I have one in my discussion post as well.

have a lovely day.

Jenni Elyse said...

Awesome answers and I love the quotes you shared. I forgot about the quote with Anne talking about naming things because it made them more human. I should've remembered it because it's one of the things that endeared her to me because I'm the same way. I'm glad you're enjoying your reread. :)

Suey said...

Awesome that you included quotes. I'm pretty sure everything Anne says can be quoted! Thanks for participating in the read along and discussion. Hopefully we'll "see" you later today. :)

Amber Holcomb said...

Lissa,

Aw, that's a great way to put it, that Anne thinks of everything as her friend! :)

Matthew is definitely the sweetest! And that was so thoughtful of him to bring home chocolate for Anne.

Thank you so much for your kind words about my post! Your post is lovely, and I like the quote you chose to feature! :)

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Jenni,

Thank you so much! :) That's so neat you share that tendency to name things! Now you have me curious about some of the names you've chosen for objects/plants/etc. :) So glad you guys are hosting this read-along!

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Suey,

So true! This book (and Anne in particular) is totally quotable. :)

Thank you for hosting the first discussion! I'm sorry I didn't take part in the Twitter chat! But it seems like you guys got a great chat going, and I hope it was a lot of fun. :)

~Amber

Kara said...

I'm so glad you shared some of your favorite quotes too! I just couldn't leave them out. And you picked some great ones! I have been amazed at how much wisdom Anne has for one so young...

I definitely agree about Matthew's opinion swaying Marilla's decision. I'm not sure she can even admit it to herself at this point, but what Matthew thinks really does have a big impact on her. And naturally so, since they've spent their whole lives together and understand one another so well. In fact, it never fails to make me giggle when Marilla responds to one of Matthew's LOOKS. ;D

Amber Holcomb said...

Kara,

Yes!! This is such a quotable book, it's hard not to share fave lines. :) And Anne really is quite wise beyond her years, even if she doesn't always make the wisest choices. ;)

That's a great point about how Marilla and Matthew have spent their lives together and would naturally understand one another. So true that Matthew doesn't even need to say anything for Marilla to get the hint! ;)

~Amber

Chloe the MovieCritic said...

Anne of Green Gables is my favorite book. It is such a sweet story and I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on it!

Amber Holcomb said...

MovieCritic,

I can totally see why it's your favorite! Definitely a sweet, special story. ♥ Thank you so much for checking out my post! :)

~Amber