AOGG - Chapter 2: Matthew Meets Anne
Do opposites attract? In this case, they very much do.
Anne is such a force of nature and a breath of fresh air to Matthew. An introvert who prefers to listen rather than talk, he really does fit her needs and she fits his. Anne has finally found someone who allows her the space, without repercussion, to freely speak her mind. Matthew’s natural patience and genuine interest in her thoughts come through so clearly in Montgomery’s words. Who knew how much this little girl would bring such joy to Matthew’s quiet life? And who knew how much his quiet presence and love would give Anne the grounding comfort she needs to thrive?
We also get a glimpse into the brother-and-sister dynamic between Matthew and Marilla. Maybe even a little good cop, bad cop. There’s a deference to Marilla when it comes to decision-making, but we know later that when Matthew will speak up, and when he does, the impact is taken very seriously.
I can hear Anne’s stream of consciousness so loudly and clearly as I read. It’s so natural that I sometimes want to tell her to pause and take a breath.
“Which would you rather be if you had the choice — divinely beautiful or dazzlingly clever or angelically good?” I’ve never thought of that question before, but I guess I’d choose to be dazzlingly clever. How about you?
I love Anne’s idea and habit of naming things she finds beautiful, imaginative names. It’s such a simple yet powerful idea. Why not give a beautiful name to something that resonates with us? At the very least, it makes it easier to remember in the future. And it's not boring!
Matthew’s growing guilt about the mix-up is easy to feel here. His procrastination and decision to leave it for Marilla to handle is a classic avoidance tactic. I can’t blame him. Would you want to be the one to break that news to lovely Anne?
