The Anne Effect
7. The “Anne” Effect
Course: ENGL. 2801
Date: 11/30/10
In Prince Edward Island it is almost impossible to avoid an encounter with the freckled faced, red-headed heroine from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel, Anne of Green Gables. Anne is everywhere; her unique image can be found on everything from dolls to preserves. The Anne phenomenon is known worldwide and has been an integral part of the Island’s tourist industry since the early twentieth century. Lucy Maud Montgomery, one of Canada’s most prolific writers, created the beloved character of Anne that is celebrated not only in Prince Edward Island but around the world. The Island has capitalized on Anne’s charm and staying power, creating a marketing bonanza. Thanks to Anne, Prince Edward Island has become an international tourist destination and the ‘Anne’ craze shows no sign of slowing down. For years, readers have been entranced with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s famous heroine Anne of Green Gables. Even in modern society, her active imagination, flaring temper and independent spirit translate into a relatable character. Anne mirrors many of Maud Montgomery memories and emotions; in essence, Anne is the romanticized version of the character Montgomery wished to be as a child. “Like Anne she knew lonely yearnings for the affectionate encouragement loving parents can give. Like Anne, she was imaginative and independent, but her grandparents and aunts and uncles felt it was their duty to subdue and chasten her pride and spontaneity.” (Waterston 10) The connection between the author and character helps to create a sense of realism with the depiction of Anne’s character. The real-life Island setting further enhances the element of realism for avid ‘Anne’ followers. During the time period in which Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote the novel there was a mass influx of immigration into Canada. Immigrants could relate to the misfit orphan because she was an outsider trying to find her place within the structures
Course: ENGL. 2801
Date: 11/30/10
In Prince Edward Island it is almost impossible to avoid an encounter with the freckled faced, red-headed heroine from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel, Anne of Green Gables. Anne is everywhere; her unique image can be found on everything from dolls to preserves. The Anne phenomenon is known worldwide and has been an integral part of the Island’s tourist industry since the early twentieth century. Lucy Maud Montgomery, one of Canada’s most prolific writers, created the beloved character of Anne that is celebrated not only in Prince Edward Island but around the world. The Island has capitalized on Anne’s charm and staying power, creating a marketing bonanza. Thanks to Anne, Prince Edward Island has become an international tourist destination and the ‘Anne’ craze shows no sign of slowing down. For years, readers have been entranced with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s famous heroine Anne of Green Gables. Even in modern society, her active imagination, flaring temper and independent spirit translate into a relatable character. Anne mirrors many of Maud Montgomery memories and emotions; in essence, Anne is the romanticized version of the character Montgomery wished to be as a child. “Like Anne she knew lonely yearnings for the affectionate encouragement loving parents can give. Like Anne, she was imaginative and independent, but her grandparents and aunts and uncles felt it was their duty to subdue and chasten her pride and spontaneity.” (Waterston 10) The connection between the author and character helps to create a sense of realism with the depiction of Anne’s character. The real-life Island setting further enhances the element of realism for avid ‘Anne’ followers. During the time period in which Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote the novel there was a mass influx of immigration into Canada. Immigrants could relate to the misfit orphan because she was an outsider trying to find her place within the structures
Bibliography: 1. Hubert, Madalina. " 'Anne of Green Gables —The Musical '." Epoch Times 24 May 2009: week day. Print. <http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/17233/> 2. Johnston, Ingrid. "Literature and Social Studies: Reading the Hyphenated Spaces of Canadian Identity." CANADA 'S NATIONAL SOCIAL STUDIES JOURNAL: University of Albert 35.1 (2000): n. Page 3. Web. 17 Nov 2010. <http://www2.education.ualberta.ca/css/css_35_1/literature_and_social_studies.htm>. 3. Montgomery, Lucy Maud, Mary H. Rubio, and Elizabeth Waterston. Anne of Green Gables. 2.ed. 1. London/ New York: Norton Critical Edition, 2007. 54,131-132,411. Print. 4. PEI, Advisory Council. Canadian Government. New Product Culture The Prince Edward Island Strategy for Tourism Competitiveness 2005 - 2010. Charlottetown: PEI GOV, 2005. Print. 5. Waterston, Elizabeth. Magic Island: The Fictions of L.M.Montgomery. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2008. 10. Print.