There are many reasons why this series is so special:
1) The storylines, production, casting and direction (including the truly sublime musical score) are all quite superb, with many beautiful characterisations, especially those on the side of "Good". The ONLY character I feel was a bit overdone was Mr Phillips, who was surreally useless both as teacher and human. He has no redeeming features WHATsoever. We can naturally love the characters who display the human Spirit, principally Anne, Gilbert, Diana, Matthew, Marilla, Aunt Josephine, Jerry, Ki'Kwat, Bash and not least Miss Stacey to mention just a few. These in the end almost completely swamp the baddies, which gives us a good feeling. One likes to see Good prevail; one is inspired by the courage of those who fight for a better world.
2) I think most people have an in-built sense of justice, and so naturally sympathize with victims of the many injustices we see in the series. The special dimension in the series is the insistence that Good CAN prevail and not by chance, but through the courage, determination and persistence of individuals, principally Anne of course. SO many things improve during the series. More than Lucy Maud in her original work, Moira is I think fighting the cause of decency and the Human Spirit, hence the massive emphasis (through Anne and others, including in the end Mrs Lynde!) on standing up for what is right, for Goodness, Honesty and Compassion.
3) Life is often hard, and Anne's love of Nature and Imagination are also endearing. The first we often take for granted and the grind of daily life often reduces our indulgence of the latter. Burt Natures is beautiful, and Anne's love for it is inspiring.
The bottom line for me is that Anne and her friends leave Avonlea a better place. If we could
all leave the world a better place than when we found it, how beautiful would that be?
Anne is devoted to Friendship, Beauty and Truth; hence her publication of the article that got her into trouble with Josie! In an age with too much ugliness and lies, the series stands out as a beacon of hope if people are prepared to stand up for Truth and Justice.
PS From FB groupmember Ian Jeff P. Dimaunahan: "This series discusses press freedom, gender inequality, stereotyping, homophobia, proper parenting, bullying, racism, and further relevant and timely controversies we face in the present. "
All you say above is true, and yet the campaigning about those things does not negatively impact on the action and character development; it is all woven naturally into the stories. Quite brilliant - and very effective.
-
Martin Marty-Framson: "Anne felt that she never belonged to anyone. Since her parents died when she was but 3 months old, she was passed from family to family as a virtual slave where she suffered physical and mental abuse. She also spent time in an impersonal orphanage where she suffered emotional abuse. Despite her sad past, Anne was always somehow resilient, energetic, full of hope, full of love, a ray of light, and optimistic. She had empathy and sympathy for others. The book of her mother was the key to the puzzle of her life. She needn’t wonder or imagine any more or doubt whether her parents had ever loved her. Anne set an example how to maintain a positive outlook despite personal challenges – by keeping a tight grip on hope and certainty that things will surely be better."
-
Chris Snuggs: One amazing thing that has recently struck me. A lot is made (and by Anne herself) of the importance and value of imagination and fantasy in one's life, yet Anne (thanks to her personal experience) also has a very strong grip on reality, as shown by the numerous concrete situations she faces and deals with throughout the series. She is far from an idle dreamer, but a committed participant in the practical realities of life: more than that, she is a natural LEADER in them; a huge catalyst for change.
-
The story of her parents, who died of "the fever" (and also the death of Delphine from sepsis) remind us, too, of the fragility of life in those days: so many died of diseases that could be cured today. I always think of Frederic Chopin in this context, who died in 1849 aged only 39 from TB, as so many others did.
|