Anne and Diana

Anne of Green Gables Week 4

In this last section of Anne of Green Gables, Anne is growing up. As much as I love the girlish Anne with all her mistakes, speeches, and foibles, I dearly love the womanly Anne.

Mrs. Lynde looked after her indulgently.

“There’s a good deal of the child about her yet in some ways.”

“There’s as good deal more of the woman about her in others,” retorted Marilla.

As Anne grows up, so does Diana. I don’t think Anne could have asked for a better bosom friend than Diana Barry. As their paths take them in different directions, they still stay the best of friends.

“It does seem as if it was the end of everything, doesn’t it,” she [Diana] said dismally.

“I thought you liked that Stella Maynard better than me,” said Diana reproachfully.

Anne laughed and pelted Diana with the faded June lilies of her bouquet.

“Stella Maynard is the dearest girl in the world except one and you are that one, Diana,” she said.

One evening as Diana helps Anne get ready for the hotel concert in Anne’s bedroom, we learn a bit more about Diana.

Diana was beginning to have a reputation for notable taste in dressing, and her advice on such subjects was much sought after. She was looking very pretty herself on this particular night in a dress of the lovely wild-rose pink, from which Anne was for ever debarred.

“Pull our that frill a little more—so; here, let me tie your sash; now for your slippers. I’m going to braid your hair in two thick braids, and tie them half-way up with big white bows—no, don’t pull out a single curl over your forehead—just have the soft part. There is no way you do your hair suits you so well, Anne, and Mrs. Allen says you look like a Madonna when you part it so. I shall fasten this little white house-rose just behind your ear. There was just one on my bush, and I saved it for you.”

Don’t we all wish we could have a Diana in our lives?

After the hotel concert when Anne’s friends are admiring all the dresses, diamonds, and jewels of the other women, Anne tells them:

“We are rich. Why, we have sixteen years to our credit, and we’re happy as queens, and we’ve all got imaginations, more or less. Look at that sea, girls—all silver and shallow and vision of things not seen. We couldn’t enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes diamonds.

I’m so glad to have this space, this little corner of the Internet, where we can share our love for Anne and each other as kindred spirits.

I will have a longer video for you next week discussing more of the relationships found in Anne of Green Gables.

As always, I’m delighted you’re here!

~Stephanie

Photos are my own.