Anne with an E: A Heartfelt Ode of Appreciation

 

There’s always ‘scope for imagination', says Anne-Shirley Cuthbert.

Indeed.

Recently, I stumbled upon this Canadian period drama, ‘Anne with an E’, on Netflix. It is a loose adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic, Anne of Green Gables. I must say, I have a soft spot for classics and period dramas.

Be it Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, I have loved the adaptations just as much as I have loved reading the books. While it’s true that the two forms offer different experiences, I think they each carry their own unparalleled charm.

When I read, I imagine characters vividly — Lizzy Bennet’s wit, Josephine March’s fire — but watching actresses bring those characters to life adds a new layer of meaning. With Anne with an E, I watched the series before reading the books, but that didn’t stop me from ordering the entire collection and getting lost in its pages.

This blog is my way of pouring out everything I felt while watching the series because Anne with an E is nothing short of extraordinary.

For me, what stood out the most was the dialogue. Every line is purposeful, strong, brimming with emotion, and conveys the deepest thoughts with just the right words. The series explores a wide range of emotions and societal themes: abandonment, patriarchy, human rights, the objectification of women, love, greed, grief, freedom, friendship, the class system, and more, all in a deeply moving way.

Each character, in their own way, has left a lasting impression on me.

Anne Shirley, the protagonist, is an orphan adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who bring her to live at Green Gables in Avonlea. And thus begins the adventures of Anne with an E. Anne is called strange and even a lunatic for being talkative, for not conforming to norms, for living in her imagination, and for speaking her mind. But that’s exactly why I feel such a deep connection with her. I feel very much like Anne. Yes, she is different, but wonderfully so. She is a kindred spirit. She isn’t flawless. She makes mistakes, but she always tries to set things right. No matter how much society tries to tame her, Anne refuses to cower down.

Her weapon? Words.

It's magical how just twenty-six letters, when arranged thoughtfully, can become powerful enough to express the deepest and most profound thoughts. Anne, unlike others, finds solace between the pages and the written words. That, too, resonates deeply with me.

In the journey, she realises that being different doesn’t mean something is wrong.

"Different Isn't Bad; It's Just not the same." 

One powerful moment that stood out to me was when Anne wrote an article titled What is Fair? in Avonlea’s local daily. It was harshly criticised and censored, but she didn’t back down. She stood up, not just for herself but for every woman who had ever been silenced. She wanted those narrow-minded people who detested modernity to hear her loud and clear.

Even today, we can’t confidently say that true equality exists. The bias may be better disguised now, but it still lingers beneath the surface, hidden behind words like “purity” and “tradition.” When a woman asserts herself, she’s often labelled a “feminist,” not always in a supportive tone.

The Oxford Dictionary defines feminism as

‘The belief and aim that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men; the struggle to achieve this aim’

Feminism is a powerful word, yet it has been tarnished by those who fear it. Times may have changed, but thoughts? Only superficially. Today’s prejudices wear prettier masks, but they remain just as sharp as they were. A woman who speaks her mind, whether at home, in the workplace, or in society, is often met with resistance, if not outright scorn. Her voice is rarely welcomed with roses. Sometimes it’s thorns, and sometimes it’s roses with thorns hidden underneath.

And so, when Anne said,  “No one but you is allowed to dictate what you're worth,” I felt it in the depths of my bones.

Then there are the Cuthberts, Matthew and Marilla. They are two of the kindest souls I’ve ever come across. If I had to describe them in a single sentence, I’d say they turned Anne’s long, cold winter into an endless summer, offering her the warmth, protection, solace, and love she had never known before. Though their journey began with resistance, they grew to love Anne deeply and made sure she felt safe, wanted, and loved. I teared up when Marilla said, “You are a wish come true I never knew I was making, Anne.”

I also adored the friendships in the series:  Anne and Diana, Anne and Cole. They are rare and beautiful. These are bonds built on loyalty, love, and a deep sense of understanding and support. They stood by each other through every joy and heartbreak, and what struck me the most was how free their friendships were from envy. That’s something we don’t often see in real life.

I also loved Anne’s relationship with Diana’s Aunt Josephine, lovingly called Aunt Jo. Like they say, every cloud has a silver lining,  and Aunt Jo was Anne’s. She is the person Anne looks up to. Not many understand her, but Aunt Jo does. Always.

And then there was Miss Stacy, an Intelligent, progressive, brave, and compassionate woman. She was a woman ahead of her time. Like Anne, she believes in equality and education for all. Anne looks up to her, admires her ideals, and aspires to be just like her - a teacher who makes a difference. Miss Stacy recognises Anne’s potential and encourages her to stay true to herself.

And now, the part closest to my heart, Gilbert Blythe.

Anne and Gilbert’s story begins with Anne breaking a slate over Gilbert’s head, and from that moment on, their lives intertwine in the most beautiful way. As the story unfolds, we see them grow, challenge each other, support one another, and slowly fall in love. Gilbert is the kind of person you wish existed in real life. He doesn’t agree with Anne blindly; he challenges her thoughts, points out her mistakes, accepts his own, apologises sincerely, and appreciates her presence in his life.

Without even realising it, they become each other’s pillar of support. Their bond is rooted in mutual respect, shared dreams, and unspoken understanding. Both are driven by the thirst for knowledge and an unshakable compassion despite the losses they’ve endured. For me, they are the true kindred spirits of the series.

And Gilbert’s letter to Anne? It was everything.

“Dear Anne,

Since we are parting ways, perhaps forever, I feel I must unburden my heart. You are the fond object of my affection and my desire. You, and you alone, are the keeper of the key to my heart. Please don't be alarmed-I don't expect your favor-but I can't, in good conscience, not reveal myself. I'm not engaged-nor will I be-unless it's to you, Anne, my Anne with an e. It always has been and always will be you.

With love,

Gilbert

PS: Thanks for the pen. Good luck at Queens.”

Characters like Lizzy Bennet, Jo March, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, and Jane Eyre were all born from the minds of remarkable women.

Without Jane Austen, there would be no Pride and Prejudice.

Without Charlotte Brontë, no Jane Eyre.

Without Louisa May Alcott, no Little Women.

Without Emily Brontë, no Wuthering Heights.

And without Lucy Maud Montgomery, there would be no Anne of Green Gables.

Behind each of these strong, bold, and independent literary heroines is a woman who dared to imagine them and gave them life through words.

To conclude, I am so glad I live in a world where these books exist and where their authors once existed!

Toodle-oo!

Oh yeah, I am attaching some of my favourite lines below. Feel free to skip if it's too much for your vain heart.

1. I am loved now, but when I wasn't, it didn't mean I wasn't worthy of it.

2. I would always rather be happy than dignified.

3. I am who I am, and I like who I am.

4. Isn’t it amazing how every day can be an adventure!

5. I like imagining better than remembering.

6. Sometimes life hides gifts in the darkest of places.

7. Love doesn’t look the same for everyone. And how can there be anything wrong with a life if it’s spent with a person you love?

8. Love is not quantifiable, and therefore not finite.

9. The best part of knowing the rules is finding acceptable ways of breaking them.

10. It’s not what the world holds for you, it’s what you bring to it.

11. I’m as strong as a boy and can do anything a boy can do.

12. A thoughtful man with an eye to the future is a needle in a haystack.

13. When all’s quiet in your mind, you will find your answer.

14.  You can’t know joy unless you’ve known sorrow.

15. Those of us who can soar to the highest heights can also plunge to the deepest depths.