The 10 Best Anne Shirley Quotes- Memorable Moments From Everyone’s Favorite Red Headed Heroine
Adriana Pacheco
When first describing Anne Shirley, L.M. Montgomery concluded,“ in short, our discerning extraordinary observer might have concluded that no commonplace soul inhabited the body of this stray woman-child of whom shy Matthew Cuthbert was so ludicrously afraid.”
Is there a more apt summation of Anne’s character? When we first meet her, both in the novel and in the Anne of Green Gables films, she is a young girl bursting with spirit, positivity, imagination and a willful temper, as full of uncommon observations about the world that are as poetic as they are far flung, as she is of biting words of admonishment for those who raise her ire. And as she matures and begins to view the world in a wiser sense, she retains her positive outlook, imaginative spirit and refines her temper to a sharp wit.
Here are our picks for the 10 best Anne Shirley quotes:
“It’s just that my life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes now. That’s a sentence I read once and I say it over to comfort myself in these times that try the soul.”
When Anne proclaims this to the orphanage matron Mrs. Cadbury, you want to laugh at how dramatic she is, but her woeful words also hold a truth that is very relatable. Her life until that point has been largely depressing, and yet even in that depression she is able to find comfort in the poetic words she once read.
"Which would you rather be… divinely beautiful or dazzlingly clever or angelically good?”
When Anne poses this question to Matthew on their buggy ride to Green Gables he is a bit perplexed, but he takes it in stride and answers her seriously. When Anne laments that she will never be angelically good, you can’t help but laugh.
“I can’t eat. I can never eat when I’m in the depths of despair.”
As first introductions go, Marilla and Anne sure had an interesting one! Upset that she is seemingly not wanted at Green Gables, Anne lapses into some poetic descriptions of her feelings, leaving Marilla bemused.
“A bosom friend. A really kindred spirit. I’ve dreamt of meeting her all my life.”
Anne’s longing for a true friend, someone who will understand her and who will share her interests is something we can all relate to. Friends are family that we choose and Anne’s wish for one person who can help ease the loneliness that has persisted through her childhood is pure.
“Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it…”
As Miss Stacey reminds, no mistakes in it yet. But this one quote has become something of mantra to live by and we think Anne would like that. It’s a sentiment to hold close and repeat on days that try the soul.
“I would rather spend my time profitably than squander it in idle gossip, meddling in other people's affairs.”
Anne may be a grown woman, less into fantastical whimsy than she was as a child, but her sharp wit is something that she maintained. When she tells Rachel Lynde off, you can’t help but cheer her on and admire her feigned politeness. Rachel deserved to be admonished, and Anne does so perfectly.
“I can't help flying up on the wings of anticipation. It's as glorious as soaring through a sunset. Almost pays for the thud!”
Anne’s imagination and dreams may have gotten her into scrapes over the years, but she always managed to see the bright side of things and she never stopped striving for her hopes and dreams.
“I promise that I'll always be here if you need me. True friends are always together in spirit.”
The scene where Anne says this to Gilbert may be heartbreaking, but the sentiment behind the words is anything but. A true friend will always be there for you if they can, in good and bad moments and even when you are apart, for days or months or years, you can be sure that they keep you in their good intentions.
“There’s always another bend in the road.”
When Anne says this to Katherine Brooke, you can see how much she has matured, and her words echo a positive viewpoint on life that is admirable. Life may not be easy, and you may encounter circumstances that are trying, but if you keep going there is sure to be something ahead.
“I've discovered it's not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring to it.”
This is a mantra to keep close to your heart and Anne’s realization that she didn’t need to go looking for ideals, seeking out what the world could offer her, certainly resonates. This quote reminds us that we all have something to contribute to the world, and that it doesn’t matter if that’s something big or small.
What is your favorite Anne Shirley quote? Experience more of Anne's poetical musings by watching all the Anne of Green Gables films on GazeboTV.
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