Anne of Avonlea

A first impression should never be the sole factor in determining someone’s worth. Too often, emotions, preconceived judgments, and differences of opinion mar what could be a beautiful relationship. Therefore, second chances are necessary for determining one’s true value.

Much emphasis is placed in this second novel on the impact of outsiders on Avonlea. As a small, close-knit town, any outsider faces intense scrutiny and judgment before any interaction even takes place. These views often come via Mrs. Rachel, the town busy-body, who emphasizes how one’s family or past dictates their future. Her words in Chapter 1—“I don’t know what Avonlea is coming to, with so many strange people rushing into it. It’ll soon not be safe to go to sleep in our beds” (6)—bespeak an underlying animosity to anyone considered “different.” Anne does not realize it, but Mrs. Rachel’s words stick in her mind and must be overcome through interaction and experience. The new families in town—the Donnells, the Cottons, etc.—are described as “belong[ing] down east” and “shiftless” (7), implying that anyone coming into Avonlea must be treated with caution and concern. As the teacher of these young folk, Anne has to overcome these initial biases and see people for their worth outside of Mrs.