Culture
WOUB-HD to Re-Broadcast ‘Anne of Green Gables’ Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.
By: Emily Votaw
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Anne of Green Gables is a story of childhood – a slice of life narrative that follows the precocious orphan Anne Shirley as she comes into adulthood and ultimately sacrifices her dreams for a life of simple pleasures.
Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery in the early 20th century, the book is now taught all over the world to children in a myriad of languages. Anne is sent to live with middle-aged brother-sister couple Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, mistakenly – as the couple had requested a boy to help them on their farm. Although Marilla initially wants to send Anne back, Matthew takes a serious liking to her, and eventually Marilla is won over.
What follows is nothing short of a pretty true to the letter depiction of everyday childhood in 20th century Canada, which Montgomery based the narrative on. In many ways, the story tackles incredibly human, everyday dilemmas. Anne develops a rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe early on in the narrative – and although nothing truly happens to assuage her negative feelings towards him, she finds in time that she no longer dislikes him – but still finds it impossible to speak to him. After winning an incredible scholarship in her early adulthood, it looks like Anne is on to bigger and better things – but then Matthew drops dead and Anne decides to move back to Green Gables and help Marilla, whose eyesight is failing.
The story has lived on through various television shows, plays, and further dramatizations. WOUB-HD will broadcast Anne of Green Gables on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.