Anne of Green Gables Awe and Amazement Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

"Pretty? Oh, pretty doesn't seem the right word to use. Nor beautiful, either. They don't go far enough. Oh, it was wonderful—wonderful. It's the first thing I ever saw that couldn't be improved upon by imagination. It just satisfied me here"—she put one hand on her breast—"it made a queer funny ache and yet it was a pleasant ache." (2.53)

Anne says this after she first sees the Avenue, a road arched with trees, which she will soon re-name "The White Way of Delight." It's the first thing that Anne sees that is so beautiful it stuns her silent. And she isn't even in Avonlea yet.

Quote #2

It was not of Marilla or himself he was thinking or of the trouble this mistake was probably going to make for them, but of the child's disappointment. When he thought of that rapt light being quenched in her eyes he had an uncomfortable feeling that he was going to assist at murdering something—much the same feeling that came over him when he had to kill a lamb or calf or any other innocent little creature. (2.76)

Matthew is partially right. Taking Anne inside where she'll find out she's unwanted will hit Anne pretty hard. Think about what it might have done to her, long-term, if they hadn't decided to keep her after all.

Quote #3

"Oh, Marilla, looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them," exclaimed Anne. "You mayn't get the things themselves; but nothing can prevent you from having the fun of looking forward to them. Mrs. Lynde says, "Blessed are they who expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed." But I think it would be worse to expect nothing than to be disappointed." (14.21)

We understand why Marilla worries about Anne getting too excited about things. She doesn't want her to be devastated if they don't work out. But Anne's outlook is different: you might as well have fun looking forward to things because you may not get them.