What Anne of Green Gables Reveals About White Girlhood
“How dare you!” Anne Shirley seethes. Anne stands in her one-room country schoolhouse wearing a gingham dress. She grips in her girlish hands the pale wooden frame of her writing slate—or rather, what remains of it. The rest of her
Anne of Green Gables, written by L.M. Montgomery in 1908, has become a beloved classic that reflects the experiences of white Anglo-American girlhood. The novel's enduring popularity is evident in its continuous publication and adaptation across various media. The iconic "slate-over-the-head" scene, where Anne Shirley violently smashes her slate over Gilbert Blythe's head in response to his insult, has become a defining moment in the story.
This act of righteous anger against the taunting Gilbert represents the frustration and defiance often felt by young girls in similar situations.
Classic novels of white, Anglo-American girlhood, like Anne of Green Gables, have played a significant role in shaping the self-perception of American girls. These stories not only connect young readers to their own history but also convey the idea that American girls are inherently lovable and valuable, much like the nation's past itself. In doing so, they contribute to the ongoing American narrative of exceptionalism and the longing for a golden past.
Interestingly, despite the novel's Canadian setting, Anne of Green Gables was originally published in Boston, highlighting the novel's American origins and the influence of American publishing on its global reach. The book's success contributed to a broader understanding of American girlhood as an ideal, presenting American girls as virtuous role models who embody the nation's best qualities.
However, it is essential to recognize that the reality of American history is far more complex, filled with instances of cruelty, displacement, and violence that have often been conveniently overlooked or minimized in popular narratives.
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