But what was it
that I found so attractive? Well firstly, she was clever and not afraid to show
it. She was witty and creative too - she became a writer which has always been a passion of mine. Moreover, she generally did not apologize for being who she was
or the way she was. She was also feisty. I like feisty. Instead of accepting
social norms, unflinching authority, or bowing down to convention, she went up against them. Plus, when
Gilbert Bligh was being an idiot, she smashed a slate over his head.
I have a
relatively strong personality, and sometimes need reining in or I can trample
over people, or my exploits can get out of hand – I’ve always looked for an
Anne Shirley who can keep up with me, who will challenge me, who will inspire
me, but who will call me out when I’m being a doofus.
Admittedly Anne Shirley
was somewhat whittery as a girl. In the mini-series this is toned down a bit
compared to the books, and I definitely prefer the less babbling version.
Anne (with an “e”)
went on to become a teacher, and a good one at that. This was another appeal,
particularly in my later life. I’m a teacher myself (having taught elementary,
high school, community college and now university classes). My mother, and
sister both did teacher training, and my step-mother was a math teacher all her
life. I naturally gravitate towards (good) teachers – they are my people, they share
my values and much of my underlying motivation to spread enthusiasm for learning and discovery. In some way Anne Shirley may
have even inspired me to get into education, but I think wanting to teach is
something that has always been fundamentally part of me, part of my soul.
The slightly more
worldly, Anne Shirley teacher and writer, was my dream woman from teenage years. Her and Sandra Bullock. And
Velma from Scooby–doo … but that’s another story.
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