Quote:
Originally Posted by Victoria
Good heavens you folks are harsh! Anne was manipulative because she admitted her disappointment about the ugly dresses? She was eleven years old. I think you’ve completely lost touch with your inner children!  |
I agree that the intentions of the author are relatively clear, but I also think the ambiguities and/or inconsistencies do exist in the text.
Later in the story we hear something of the sad tale of Anne's life before arriving at Green Gables, and such a tale makes the idea that she would risk her position at her new home - which she obviously loves, if it's not all a dramatic put-on - seem unlikely in the extreme. Being forward and talkative and opinionated seemed unlikely enough, but yelling at her elders and then being reluctant to apologise? Being ungrateful for new clothes? It doesn't seem to fit with what we learn of her history.
But noticing such things is, perhaps, a little uncalled for in a children's tale. These are the sorts of little problems that can arise in any fiction that's trying to be real enough to be almost believable, but also idealistic enough to present a wholesome tale. The author neatly minimises the problem by separating the history somewhat from the early behaviour, so the reader is less likely to make the unwanted connection.