Anne Shirley, the protagonist of the classic novel Anne of Green Gables, teaches valuable life lessons throughout her young life.
Her strong spirit and vivid imagination serve as an inspiration to never give up on one’s dreams. Furthermore, her positive attitude toward life and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities serves as a reminder to always see the good in every situation.
Her story illustrates that through resilience and determination, one can overcome any obstacle and succeed.
1. When we engage our imagination, life is more enchanting
“They shouldn’t call that lovely place the Avenue. There is no meaning in a name like that. They should call it – let me see – the White Way of Delight. Isn’t that a nice imaginative name? When I don’t like the name of a place or a person, I always imagine a new one and always think of them so.”
Anne’s words are a reminder of the power of imagination. As children, we often exercise our imaginations without a second thought. Still, as we grow older, it’s easy to get caught up in the mundane and forget to let our imaginations wander.
We can use our imaginations to make up for what the world fails to deliver and bring a bit of extra enchantment to our lives.
2. Don’t push yourself too hard to fit in
Anne Shirley often struggles with fitting in, especially when she compares her life to that of a princess named Cordelia with her “clear ivory pallor” and raven hair. Though it’s difficult to resist the temptation to compare ourselves to others, Anne Shirley reminds us to accept ourselves as we are and embrace our unique qualities.
3. Be grateful for your friends
“True friends stick close emotionally at all times.”
In the age of social media, connecting with others is easy, but it’s also essential to remember the value of face-to-face friendships. We can use technology to stay connected, but we can also reach out in other ways, like sending handwritten letters.
4. Love is priceless
Anne Shirley learns one of the most important lessons about love: it should be taken seriously and treasured. Love can keep us going no matter what is missing from our lives.
5. You can motivate people
Anne Shirley shows us that we can find our dreams even if the world doesn’t always provide them. We can use our internal resources to inspire and motivate others.
6. Be confident in your ability to defend yourself
Anne Shirley is unafraid to stand up for herself and speak for what is right. We can strive to follow her example and be confident in our ability to defend ourselves.
7. Mistakes are a part of life
Anne Shirley makes a mistake that leads to her best friend Diana becoming intoxicated. Though it’s a difficult lesson to learn, she eventually makes amends and reminds us that mistakes are a part of life and that tomorrow is always a new day.
