"A bosom friend--an intimate friend, you know--a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my innermost soul. I've dreamed of meeting her all my life. I never really supposed I would, but so many of my loveliest dreams have come true all at once that perhaps this one will, too. Do you think it's possible?"-Anne of Green Gables
As an orphan, spending the first years of her life shunted from place to place, Anne dearly longed for someone who would be the most kindred of spirits: a bosom friend. When she was introduced to Diana Barry, one of her fondest wishes was granted and she found the friend she had always wanted. Anne and Diana’s friendship spanned their whole lives, and as literary and cinematic friendships go, it’s definitely one that can be looked up to. There are many Anne and Diana moments, but here are just a few that stand out:
Anne and Diana connected right away upon meeting in Anne of Green Gables; Diana, having never known another person with such a wild imagination was instantly intrigued by Anne and Anne was enamored with the idea of having a real friend for the first time in her life. Despite not having known each other for more than a couple minutes, they were able to unite and run the three-legged race against all the Avonlea boys and win!
After Anne falls while trying to walk the ridgepole of the roof, she insists on walking home. Diana,ever the supportive best friend, walks with her offering her support (literally and figuratively). They walk through the Haunted Woods and in the process scare themselves silly with their wild imaginings. Anne falls and hurts herself further and Diana must go get help. Adventures like this are the glue of lasting friendship!
Diana getting drunk on what both she and Anne thought was Raspberry Cordial was hilarious, but their forced separation afterward is heart wrenching. The scene where Diana gives Anne a lock of her “jet-black tresses” and tells her she loves her is enough to have you in tears. True friendship can withstand many obstacles and it’s a testament to their bond that they felt their separation so keenly.
It’s startling to know someone well and realize, after a separation of some time, that they have changed. This is what happens for Anne when she comes back from Queens and meets with Diana for the first time since being away. Diana is still her dear friend, but she has matured and is more serious, with adult concerns on her mind. This is illustrated in Anne of Green Gables when the two young women walk together through the fields and discuss Anne going away to school, her interest, or lack of, in Gilbert Blythe and who Diana might one day marry. Their lives are diverging, but the two young women still hold their friendship close to their hearts.
A true bosom friend cannot help but want to see the accomplishments of their best friend recognized and that’s why its such a great moment in Anne of Avonlea when Diana submits Anne’s story to Rolling’s Reliable and it wins! Now, she did take some literary license and adapt Anne’s writing to fit the requirements (something that Anne was definitely not happy about), but it was done with the best of intentions and she cannot be faulted for that.
After she gets married to Fred Wright, Diana and Anne’s paths diverge greatly. Diana becomes a wife and homemaker and Anne dedicates herself to teaching and writing. However,their bond as bosom friends proves unbreakable by these changed circumstances and this is illustrated by the fact that Diana names her daughter, who is born somewhere between Anne of Windy Poplars and Anne's House of Dreams, “Anne Cordelia” .
For more of Anne and Diana’s iconic friendship, watch the Anne of Green Gables films On GazeboTV, or find the novels on Shop At Sullivan.
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