Muriel Stacey is perhaps the most positive person in Anne of Green Gables. Her cheerful disposition is infectious, not just to Anne, but to all those around her – especially after they’ve almost eaten a dangerous dish of plum pudding. Her role in spurring on Anne in her scholastic career is immeasurable. But in addition to her status as a beloved teacher in Avonlea, Muriel also played a kind of “aunt” figure. When Anne feels like she has lost her best friend in life, Muriel tells her, “What we must bear in mind is that all these trials and tribulations that pop up in our lives, well, they serve a very useful purpose: they build character, as long as we can hold on to the lessons we've learn from our mistakes. Remember, we can always start everything fresh tomorrow.” This gave Anne some hope about rekindling her friendship with Diana. Miss Stacey’s firm belief that “The truth will set you free” – a quote that was actually taken from the archway of Victoria College where some of the scenes for the movie were filmed – was both a comforting reassurance to Anne and an inspiring thought that undoubtedly had an effect on her future career as a writer.
The inspiring aspect of Marilla comes from the change in her character that we witness as her bond with Anne grows. Before Anne came to Green Gables, Marilla was closed off emotionally and very set in her ways and the lifestyle she had built for herself and Matthew. As Kevin Sullivan commented in Colleen Dewhurst’s autobiography, “Marilla is a sixty-five-year-old spinster who has never opened herself up emotionally, living with her brother in this remote community. When Anne arrives to live with her, she doesn’t know what’s hit her.” Marilla’s strength of character, her stubbornness and her ability to admit to Anne when she is wrong, are all inspiring attributes. She sees a lot of herself in Anne’s stubborn ways and is present at the most important moments to remind Anne not to make the same mistakes she did. She is the one to tell Anne blankly that Gilbert is in love with her and that she needs to reshape her ideas concerning romance because, ultimately, she will only hurt herself by holding onto them.
After Anne learns that Josephine Barry, Diana’s aunt, is much more than the “old ogre” she originally thought her to be, Anne finds yet another kindred spirit. She discovers that there is much more to this rich benefactor than her sharp tongue - which Anne and Diana discovered first-hand after rudely awakening her in the middle of the night by jumping on her bed. Her status in society as a very wealthy single woman is new to Anne. But Aunt Josephine’s appreciation for her “Anne-girl”, as she comes to affectionately call her, opens up a whole new world to Anne when she visits her stately home with Diana. She introduces Anne to opera, fine dining and many of the luxuries Anne had never experienced before. But more importantly, she shows Anne how to be comfortable with one’s station in life when she says, “I most certainly am an old ogre, and don’t you let on any different.”
As part of this week's "Inspiration" theme, Shop At Sullivan has a number of specials on our most inspiring posters and products. You can receive two inspirational posters with one free CD, buy our 12-inch Anne of Green Gables doll and receive a free friendship poster or receive Anne's hope poster along with A New Beginning DVD!
