Allison did such a marvelous job on Chapters 5-7 quiz from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery that she achieved the goal of Homeroom! Homeroom is where I publish exemplary HW!

CHAPTER V

1. What does Anne mean when she says, “My life is a graveyard of broken dreams” and how does she explain that it comforts her?

What Anne means when she claims, “My life is a graveyard of broken dreams,” is that the constant disappointments and moments where she is reminded of the harsh reality of the asylum that can’t fulfill the dreams and desires she may have. However, she finds comfort in this phrase, as she romanticizes the poetry of the saying instead of letting it crush her heart.

2. How did Anne’s parents die? Can you imagine what that was like for Anne? How old was she when it happened?

Anne’s parents, Walter and Bertha Shirley, when Anne was only three months old, both die from a fever, Walter dying only four days after Bertha. Even when the Thomas family takes her in, tragedy strikes: Mr. Thomas was killed from “falling under a train,” when Anne was eight. The deaths of three of her guardians likely shaped the way she acts today, and she copes with this harsh, bleak reality through her vivid imagination and romanticization of her surroundings. 

3. Read over this passage again and imagine it thoroughly. Then write a response to the experiences that you had whilst closely studying it: “The shore road was “woodsy and wild and lonesome. On the right hand, scrub firs, their spirits quite unbroken by long years of tussle with the gulf winds, grew thickly. On the left were the steep red sandstone cliffs, so near the track in places that a mare of less steadiness than the sorrel might have tried the nerves of the people behind her. Down at the base of the cliffs were heaps of surf-worn rocks or little sandy coves inlaid with pebbles as with ocean jewels; beyond lay the sea, shimmering and blue, and over it soared the gulls, their pinions flashing silvery in the sunlight.” Aim to report on the various senses that were made alive in your imagination as you read it carefully and quote those bits that brought the experience to life.

The meticulous details in this passage really help me envision the vivid scenery that is conveyed. Notably, the sentence about scrub firs, “their spirits quite unbroken by long years of tussle with the gulf winds, grew thickly”. A scrub is a plant that is unable to reach its full potential in growth due to the harsh environment around it. However, the scrub firs symbolize that despite the hardship of the area that slows it down, it is still thick and rooted, unphased. I’m also inclined to imagine the “steep red sandstone cliffs”, feeling the entirety of the environment I imagine in my mind. I can almost feel wind, in fact, despite no description of such is in the passage. Lastly, I also imagine the setting at “the base of the cliffs” with “surf-worn rocks or little sand coves”. I can almost see the rocks glistening from the sunlight or the grass swaying in the wind. Especially with the gulls soaring over the sky, I imagine them passing through the clouds, high enough to seemingly cover the sun. 

CHAPTER VI

1. Mrs. Spencer has a characteristic Montgomery explains very well: “Mrs. Spencer returned, flushed and beaming, quite capable of taking any and every difficulty, physical, mental or spiritual, into consideration and settling it out of hand.” What is this characteristic? Is it a good one? Do you have it? What could be the negative aspect of it, especially for someone who manages the placement of children?

Mrs. Spencer has efficiency and confidence. She is able to make decisions on the dot and take on any challenge with competence and composure. However, a negative aspect of this is that handling children requires patience and dedication. Mrs. Spencer likes to do things almost immediately, which sometimes results in messing things up. This is evident as when she finds a girl to send over to Green Gables instead of the boy they asked for. I don’t normally like to rush things. Especially with problems, I like to think them over and ask about all the aspects of said problem. My confidence is also not as high and unwavering as Mrs. Spencer’s is described in the book. However, I also make a point to complete things with efficiency once started.

2. Find the passage that describes Anne’s reaction when Marilla tells Mrs. Blewett and Mrs. Spencer that she needs to consult Matthew. How does the author capture the feelings Anne is going through? Write about the intensity of such feelings, in contrast to the ones she’s just been experiencing as she looks at and responds to Mrs. Blewett.

When Marilla tells Mrs. Blewett and Mrs. Spencer that she needs to consult with Matthew, Anne’s realization is described as a “sunrise…dawning on Anne’s face” that there’s a chance she could stay at Green Gables. Her face captures the feelings of relief and deep gratitude, as “came a faint flush of hope; her eyes grew deep and bright as morning stars”. This deeply contrasts with her initial reaction when Mrs. Blewett interviews her, where Marilla describes the sight of Anne like “the misery of a helpless little creature who finds itself once more caught in the trap from which it had escaped.” These intense feelings of dread and relief really showcase Anne’s emotional personality and how it contributes to the way she views her world. The author captures such feelings with different metaphors and similes – almost in a way Anne would describe herself.

3. What important stipulation does Marilla make to Matthew about raising Anne?

The important stipulation Marilla makes to Matthew is that Marilla is the one who will mainly take over with the “training” of Anne. Matthew is not to interfere with the methods Marilla will use for this training process. Matthew easily accepts these terms, just reminding her to “be as good and kind to [Anne] as you can without spoiling her”.

CHAPTER VII

1. Explain the differences in attitude towards God that Marilla and Anne have. Explore the expectation that Marilla has and the reactions that Anne has. Look into the words “irreverence” and define how it is astonishingly repugnant to Marilla and what Anne is used to. Is Anne truly irreverent though? How does Anne justify her attitude? Finally, what changes does Anne make under Marilla’s watchful eye, and what does she learn? Aim to answer all of these questions in order and write 200-300 words, using quotes.

The attitudes Marilla and Anne have towards God vary from each other, as Anne views prayers with creativity and freedom, constantly curious about the ways of God, an example being that she asks, “why must people kneel down to pray?” When Marilla asks Anne about her knowledge of God, Anne responds that “God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth”. However, she says this insincerely, not really believing such. This deeply contrasts with Marilla’s view, as Marilla views and does her prayers in a much more by the book way. She is especially shocked when she realizes that Anne doesn’t do prayers routinely. “Irreverence” is lacking the respect of admiration that is expected in a tradition, event, etc. We see that Anne does actions that are irreverent to God. However, Anne is taught that her red hair was given to her by God on purpose as a symbol of trouble and unpleasantness. This left a deep impact on the way she views God, and with the responsibility of taking care of others, she was “too tired at night to bother saying prayers”. This is repugnant to Marilla, as she is a person who does traditional prayers routinely because she is not used to any other way and believes that these prayers are essential. Anne does not fit this criterion, being unlike the submissive child Marilla believes she is. Anne is not truly irreverent. Her experience with prayers and God just leaves a deep impression on her view, from her troubling red hair to the twins that fill up her entire day, leaving her exhausted. Under Marilla’s supervision, Anne attempts a traditional prayer, even asking afterwards on whether to say “Amen” instead of “Yours respectfully”, as that’s what the ministers commonly say during prayers. This effort shows that Anne is actively trying to fit within the structured format of the prayers Marilla expects. Anne isn’t rebellious – but in Marilla’s eyes, she has much to learn.