Talk to anyone about the most beloved characters in children's literature and Anne Shirley is sure to come up. First introduced in L.M. Montgomery’s 1908 novel, Anne of Green Gables, the earnest and precocious Anne, don't forget the "e," quickly made a place for herself as a mainstay on children's bookshelves. Throughout her career, Montgomery published twenty novels and hundreds of poems and short stories. Her work turned her home, Prince Edward Island, into a tourist destination and made her one of the most recognizable names in Canadian literature, known and loved throughout the world. Join us today as we take a look at some of the best quotes from Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series:
- There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting.
- If you can't be cheerful, be as cheerful as you can.
- When I left Queen's, my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I am going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes - what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows - what new landscapes - what new beauties - what curves and hills and valleys farther on.
- I've just been imagining that it was really me you wanted after all and that I was to stay here for ever and ever. It was a great comfort while it lasted. But the worst of imagining things is that the time comes when you have to stop and that hurts.
- For a moment Anne's heart fluttered queerly and for the first time her eyes faltered under Gilbert's gaze and a rosy flush stained the paleness of her face. It was as if a veil that had hung before her inner consciousness had been lifted, giving to her view a revelation of unsuspected feelings and realities. Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one's life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one's side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flung athwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music, perhaps. . . perhaps. . .love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath.
- Everything that's worth having is some trouble.
“Words aren't made — they grow,' said Anne.- “I don't want sunbursts or marble halls, I just want you.”
- “Life owes me something more than it has paid me and I’m going out to collect it…”
- All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world.
- It's not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring to it
