Question for Anne of Green Gables fans

Gold Member Joined: Aug 19 2011 Posts: 2059

I was also surprised how little Marilla figured in the last two (three?) books. Perhaps that's a clue to Mrs.Rachel. I think, especially if people moved away, it wasn't expected back then that they be around all the time. When kids left the nest, they left. And, I bet Mrs. Rachel's personality might've had a wee bit to do with it, also...

I actually liked Rachel. At the beginning she was awful, but over time Anne won her over and she seemed to mellow out a bit. I never thought about her kids - that's a great question. I suppose Marilla needed the company too so it made sense for them to move in together.

Gold Member Joined: Feb 05 2008 Posts: 2428 Location: UK

Time to take the series out of the library again.

Oh, how I love these books, thanks for reminding me...
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Platinum Member Joined: Nov 04 2008 Posts: 7946

I saw Anne of Green Gables translated to Hebrew at the local used book shop. I was debating whether to get it for my kids (who can't read high level English at this point.) Besides the plot, what I loved about the Anne series was the language - the descriptions, witticisms, etc that wouldn't be the same translated. I appreciated that more as an adult than when I read it as a kid.

Silver Member Joined: Jun 12 2011 Posts: 707

Oh, I love the series.

When Rachel's husband died she realized she could not keep the farm financially (as someone mentioned they mortgaged it to "give their last son a start out west"), and she was planning on moving in with her daughter Eliza. (Eliza is the only one referenced as to being at the funeral -- some sort of line the next day that "she had to return home quickly because her son was sick." It seems that the other kids all moved farther away) She was unhappy because she disliked Eliza's husband and didn't want to leave PEI -- something to the effect that "someone of her age doesn't make new friends and interests easily". At the same time Marilla wanted Anne to have her chance at college, so this seemed the opportunity to help her friend and give Anne that chance. Marilla does specifically say that Rachel's kids would be supporting her financially, so all she would need to be providing was the space in the house.

As far as Marilla not really appearing in the later books, there is a reference in one of them that says Marilla died shortly after the birth of Rilla (It may be in the last book were Rilla says something about never really knowing her). Rilla was born towards the beginning of Anne of Ingleside, so Marilla would no longer have been alive in the last two books (Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingelside), and for part of the third to last.

I also appreciated a lot more about the books as an adult -- I remember reading them in 5th grade or so and skipping whole paragraphs of description -- now when I reread them I savor those paragraphs. I also find a lot of meaning in her one liners -- there were a few paragraphs when Ruby dies that truly give me the chills every time I read them. I also love Rilla of Ingleside -- I found it depressing as a kid and beautiful now.

I disliked the prequel Before Green Gables. I don't know -- somehow the writing style seemed so crass and rough compared to Montgomery's beautiful and lyrical allusions.

Oh how I love this series.
It's great to see how many others do too!
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DS1--born Dec. 10, 2009 (Erev Chanukah)
DS2--born Sept. 5, 2011 (6 Elul)

Another fan, piping up here! For years every summer first day of vacation I sat down with Anne of Green Gables, and was pretty much not seen again until I turned the last page of Rilla of Ingleside.
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Diamond Member Joined: Mar 17 2008 Posts: 3561

Silver Member Joined: Jun 12 2011 Posts: 707

Silver Member Joined: Jan 31 2008 Posts: 692

I read the prequel and enjoyed it. but now I realise that I haven't read most of the later books in the series. Better remedy that now!

just downloaded the whole set from ibooks. 49c.

Gold Member Joined: Aug 19 2011 Posts: 2059

There's also the fairly recent The Blythes Are Quoted which is a compilation of writings found after L.M. Montgomery's death, IIRC. It's pretty dark but is an interesting read. In it you see how much Anne changed after Walter's death in the war.

Active Poster Joined: May 20 2012 Posts: 77

Rachel really did mellow as the books progressed. One of my favorite scenes is when Anne gave her "apology" to Rachel for insulting her the first time they met.