You could say Anne has almost too much awe. (And Marilla would agree with you.) But the ability to find wonder in everyday things is one of Anne's greatest strengths.
Some of it comes from how little Anne had before coming to Green Gables. (Ice cream would seem pretty amazing if you've never tried it before.) It was probably also a way to survive—if you don't get to have or do much, making a big deal out of small things kept Anne from being depressed.
Marilla thinks that Anne's "sensitive" because things like sunsets and being invited to tea make her emotional. But Anne reminds us that an emotional rollercoaster of getting excited about things is better that hiding or pushing down on your feelings.
Questions About Awe and Amazement
- Do you agree with Anne's theory about the fun of looking forward to things? Or are you on Mrs. Lynde's team and think it's better to not be disappointed?
- What does Anne mean when she vows to believe in fairies for one more summer?
- Why does Marilla force Anne to walk through The Haunted Wood? Do you think she did the right thing?
- For each place that Anne re-names, what do Anne's names reflect about the places that their actual names don't?
Chew on This
Matthew should have told Anne that they'd been expecting a boy before taking her home.
Anne does not lose any of her imagination by the novel's end.