Ideals versus Reality

Throughout "Anne of Avonlea", Anne must contend with the constant contradiction between her idealized vision of scenarios and the reality the world offers her. She constantly gets her hopes up but her expectations are never met. Anne claims, "When I think something nice is going to happen I seem to fly right up on the wings of anticipation; and then the first thing I realize I drop down to earth with a thud." (Page 147) Anne's self-recrimination after whipping Anthony Pye represents one such time reality failed her. Anne is positive her teaching theories on kindness and attentiveness will win over all her students, but Anthony proves her wrong. The only thing he will respond to is violence, but Anne reproaches herself for failing to uphold her idealistic vision.

Anne is further disappointed during the tea for Mrs. Morgan, the famous writer. Despite her fantasies of a...