Does the story anywhere utilize irony of situation? Dramatic Irony? Verbal irony? What functions do the ironies serve?
The book incorporates all of the ironies in different situations in the story. Throughout the novel Marilla has a dry sense of humor, so she constantly makes sarcastic remarks about Anne’s thoughts. Most of the time Anne doesn’t pick it up, and Marilla’s disapproval is overlooked. The irony highlighted a specific characteristic of Marilla’s personality. She is different from the other women in Avonlea because she is witty but disguises her insults under a mask of sarcasm.
In Anne’s first encounter with Gilbert Blythe, she decides to forever hate him, and refuses to acknowledge his existence. Throughout their child hood he constantly tries to win back Anne’s attention, without success. Although Anne claims to hate him it is evident to the reader that she enjoys the attention from him, and even harbors secret affections, though unknown to her. The feelings she has for him are hidden behind her stubborn hatred until the incident at the Barry’s Pond, where he finally decides to give up trying to become friends. His coldness deepens the regret she feels for not forgiving him. This proves to be the last lesson Anne learns in the book. Her decision to apologize to Gilbert, means that she able to look back and notice her faults and acknowledge that she has been wrong. Since she is very stubborn, it proves to be the most difficult problem she has to overcome.
The irony of situation is the most dominant irony because it directly relates to the theme of the book.. When she arrives at Green Gables, Marilla is reluctant to keep her, saying that she doesn’t need any company or help around the house. As Anne becomes settled however, Marilla notices the change of atmosphere around the house. When Anne leaves for Queens College, Marilla refers to the house as being "empty". She also feels lonely and weep bitter tears at the absence of Anne, "At that moment Marilla has a revelation. In the sudden stab of fear that pierced to her very heart she realized what Anne has come to mean to her,"(pg 212). She felt that her fondness for Anne was unholy, and therefore hid it behind her crisp reputation. It was when she and Anne mourned together over the death of Matthew that she revealed her love for Anne.
From the time Anne came to Green Gables, Matthew and Marilla had opposing opinions on Anne’s character. Marilla’s assumption that Anne would only cause them trouble was proved wrong not long into the book, and it is Matthew’s quiet gloating, that makes it situational irony.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Theme # 2
Does the theme reinforce or oppose popular notions of life? Does it furnish a new insight of refresh or deepen an old one?
As I read the book for the first time, it gave me a fresh perspective on life. After I read the first few chapters, I found myself reforming. The world around me seemed brighter and I would find myself appreciating everything. During the chapter with the disappearance of the amethyst brooch, I was eating some ice cream. When Anne was distraught at the notion of not being able to go to the picnic, thus not being able to try ice cream, I felt I had made a connection.
I would find myself looking back on my own happy childhood, relating to similar humorous incidences I had. Every time I found a connection, my desire to be like Anne increased. I noticed myself using large romantic words as I described the most simplest things with such fondness. I went outside often, taking in all the little details that made the scenery so beautiful.
In the book, L. M. Montgomery is able to reinforce as well as oppose the popular notions on life. Anne’s carefree, expressive, loving personality unintentionally set her apart from the Avonlea community. The distinctions resulted in Avonlea being captivated by Anne, allowing her to get into scraped and embark on imaginative adventures.
Since story was based on L. M. Montgomery’s personal childhood experiences, it encompasses specific qualities that allow it to reinforce the popular notions of life in the early 1900s.
As I read the book for the first time, it gave me a fresh perspective on life. After I read the first few chapters, I found myself reforming. The world around me seemed brighter and I would find myself appreciating everything. During the chapter with the disappearance of the amethyst brooch, I was eating some ice cream. When Anne was distraught at the notion of not being able to go to the picnic, thus not being able to try ice cream, I felt I had made a connection.
I would find myself looking back on my own happy childhood, relating to similar humorous incidences I had. Every time I found a connection, my desire to be like Anne increased. I noticed myself using large romantic words as I described the most simplest things with such fondness. I went outside often, taking in all the little details that made the scenery so beautiful.
In the book, L. M. Montgomery is able to reinforce as well as oppose the popular notions on life. Anne’s carefree, expressive, loving personality unintentionally set her apart from the Avonlea community. The distinctions resulted in Avonlea being captivated by Anne, allowing her to get into scraped and embark on imaginative adventures.
Since story was based on L. M. Montgomery’s personal childhood experiences, it encompasses specific qualities that allow it to reinforce the popular notions of life in the early 1900s.
Style # 14
Do all the elements of the story work together to support a central purpose? Is any part irrelevant or innappropriate?
Each element of the book works to show how Anne grows into a responsible spirited young adult. Since the book is written as a collection of childhood experiences, told through Anne’s eyes, each incident is used to demonstrates how she needed to learn how to be less romantic and keep her imagination in check. The specific incidences in the book are highlighted in the table of contents, where the title of the each chapter is descriptive of the upcoming event. With each incident, Anne learns a new life lesson; when she dyes her hair green, she discovers the horrors of vanity.
Each part in the book is appropriate because the story takes place over a span of five years. In that time, L. M. Montgomery selected the most crucial parts to be explained with detail. Any irrelevant scenes were skipped with the passing of the seasons.
Each element of the book works to show how Anne grows into a responsible spirited young adult. Since the book is written as a collection of childhood experiences, told through Anne’s eyes, each incident is used to demonstrates how she needed to learn how to be less romantic and keep her imagination in check. The specific incidences in the book are highlighted in the table of contents, where the title of the each chapter is descriptive of the upcoming event. With each incident, Anne learns a new life lesson; when she dyes her hair green, she discovers the horrors of vanity.
Each part in the book is appropriate because the story takes place over a span of five years. In that time, L. M. Montgomery selected the most crucial parts to be explained with detail. Any irrelevant scenes were skipped with the passing of the seasons.
Plot # 6
Who is the protagonist in the story? What are the conflicts? Are they physical, intellectual, moral, or emotional? Is the main conflict between sharply differentiated good and evil, or is it more subtle and complex?
The book is told through the eyes of a little red haired orphaned named Anne. Throughout her stay at Green Gables, she gets into several incidents due to her personal qualities. The "scrapes"as they referred to in the book, were physical, when she fell from the ridge pole and broke her leg. Intellectual, her decision to stay home from school because of Mr Phillip’s unfair teaching methods and prejudice. Moral, when she died her hair green because she was obsessed with vanity, and emotional, her stubborn hatred for Gilbert Blythe for calling her "carrots" the first time they met. Since she has several conflicts throughout her stay at Green Gables, the main conflict would be justified as complex. Anne has the ablitily to never make the same mistake twice" so she is able to learn from her faults, allowing her to grow into a mature young woman.
The book is told through the eyes of a little red haired orphaned named Anne. Throughout her stay at Green Gables, she gets into several incidents due to her personal qualities. The "scrapes"as they referred to in the book, were physical, when she fell from the ridge pole and broke her leg. Intellectual, her decision to stay home from school because of Mr Phillip’s unfair teaching methods and prejudice. Moral, when she died her hair green because she was obsessed with vanity, and emotional, her stubborn hatred for Gilbert Blythe for calling her "carrots" the first time they met. Since she has several conflicts throughout her stay at Green Gables, the main conflict would be justified as complex. Anne has the ablitily to never make the same mistake twice" so she is able to learn from her faults, allowing her to grow into a mature young woman.
Setting #4
What Contribution to the story is made by the setting? Is the particular setting essential, or could the story have happened anywhere?
The title Anne of Green Gables suggest that the setting is essential to the story. The notion that she is part of Green Gables shows that she has a crucial role in the operations of the town. Anne helps the town evolve into a distinct island community as she takes it on a merry ride of adventure and surprise. Similarly Avonlea becomes a place of refuge for Anne.
From the beginning she was smitten with the beauty of the land. She renames the landmarks to her liking which intern is accepted by the Avonlea folk "lover’s lane, haunted wood, snow queen" Anne describes the land with so much beauty and love, that a clear image is portrayed. The quaintness of the town encourages Anne’s imagination, allowing it to flourish, unlike the strict asylum where she had spent her early childhood .
The time period is also essential to the setting of the story. It was during a time where there was little technology, so children had to find different ways of amusing themselves. With such a vivid imagination, Anne was praised as the most interesting and amusing child. It also allowed her to escape from the horrid life at the asylum, helping her maintain an optimistic outlook on life.
The title Anne of Green Gables suggest that the setting is essential to the story. The notion that she is part of Green Gables shows that she has a crucial role in the operations of the town. Anne helps the town evolve into a distinct island community as she takes it on a merry ride of adventure and surprise. Similarly Avonlea becomes a place of refuge for Anne.
From the beginning she was smitten with the beauty of the land. She renames the landmarks to her liking which intern is accepted by the Avonlea folk "lover’s lane, haunted wood, snow queen" Anne describes the land with so much beauty and love, that a clear image is portrayed. The quaintness of the town encourages Anne’s imagination, allowing it to flourish, unlike the strict asylum where she had spent her early childhood .
The time period is also essential to the setting of the story. It was during a time where there was little technology, so children had to find different ways of amusing themselves. With such a vivid imagination, Anne was praised as the most interesting and amusing child. It also allowed her to escape from the horrid life at the asylum, helping her maintain an optimistic outlook on life.
Characters # 11
Is each character full enough developed to justify his role in the story? Are the main characters round or flat?
Each character, in the book, is developed enough from the beginning to justify their role. Throughout the process of the book their personality gradually evolves, becoming more rounded. The book is divided into specific chapters, which are devoted to different incidences between Anne and members of Avonlea. Through their interactions with Anne, their purpose in the book, in relation to Anne, is revealed.
In the beginning of the novel Marilla Cuthbert was described as a "tall thin woman, with angles and without curves; her dark hair showed some grey streaks and was always twisted up in a hard little knot behind with two wire hairpins stuck aggressively through it. She looked like a woman of narrow experience and rigid conscience which she was; but there was a saving something about her mouth which if it has been ever so slightly developed, might have been considered indicative of a sense of humor"(pg 13).
In this short excerpt, Montgomery has captured the character of Marilla. Once the Cuthberts decide to keep Anne, Marilla assumes the role as Anne’s up bringer. In the process of Marilla rasing Anne, it turned out that Anne was changing Marilla, "but crispness was no longer Marilla’s distinguishing characteristic. As Mrs Lyne told Thomas that night. ‘Marilla has gone mellow that’s what’" (pg 349).
It has to be taken into consideration that the story was based on L. M, Montgomery’s personal childhood experiences. So as she introduces the characters, they have a clear personality established.
Each character, in the book, is developed enough from the beginning to justify their role. Throughout the process of the book their personality gradually evolves, becoming more rounded. The book is divided into specific chapters, which are devoted to different incidences between Anne and members of Avonlea. Through their interactions with Anne, their purpose in the book, in relation to Anne, is revealed.
In the beginning of the novel Marilla Cuthbert was described as a "tall thin woman, with angles and without curves; her dark hair showed some grey streaks and was always twisted up in a hard little knot behind with two wire hairpins stuck aggressively through it. She looked like a woman of narrow experience and rigid conscience which she was; but there was a saving something about her mouth which if it has been ever so slightly developed, might have been considered indicative of a sense of humor"(pg 13).
In this short excerpt, Montgomery has captured the character of Marilla. Once the Cuthberts decide to keep Anne, Marilla assumes the role as Anne’s up bringer. In the process of Marilla rasing Anne, it turned out that Anne was changing Marilla, "but crispness was no longer Marilla’s distinguishing characteristic. As Mrs Lyne told Thomas that night. ‘Marilla has gone mellow that’s what’" (pg 349).
It has to be taken into consideration that the story was based on L. M, Montgomery’s personal childhood experiences. So as she introduces the characters, they have a clear personality established.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
