NOTE: Now that “Anne with an E” has dropped here in the US on Netflix, the conversation–and controversy–have ramped up even more. “I don’t see why we need a ‘gritty’ Anne,” one fan ranted, while others are loving the more complex, authentic heroine, trauma-induced warts and all.
I welcome to the guest blog one of my oldest friends, trauma advocate Heather Anne Tuba, whom I met in Grade 7. After high school, we drifted apart for almost 30 years, until she got her hands on a copy of “Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter and Me.”
Since then, she’s been in my life as an old/new friend, and a fellow fan of Anne. Living in Winnipeg, my hometown, with her family, Heather and the whole Tuba clan watched “Anne with an E” unfold week by week on Canadian TV. She has some exceptionally insightful thoughts about how trauma has shaped this new, darker, “grittier” Anne.
I also think they are valuable for anyone who has adopted an older child, like Matthew and Marilla adopted Anne at age 11 in the book and 13 in the series.
I am going to watch the whole series again with Heather’s insights tucked in my pocket!
7 Thoughts on Trauma, Orphans, and “Anne with an
E”
Would you like to delve deeper into the new Anne with an E series?
What if you could understand some of the off-book diversions a little better? (Maybe not all, but some!)
What if a little information is all you need to embrace the new Anne?
Before I suggest how to do this, let me clarify. Like so many Anne fans, I was deeply concerned by the announcement of this new series. What possible improvements could there be to the books and the 1985 television miniseries (minus that one episode, which should never, ever be spoken of)? Then came the shocking announcement that the executive producer was Moira Walley-Beckett of Breaking Bad. Never mind that I had never once laid eyes upon thus said series. I hastily added my voice to the collective sentiment of fear and trembling of what was to become of this beloved classic.
However, I trusted my friend, Lorilee. After all, she’s a seasoned entertainment writer with a proven track record of impeccable choices in television viewing. (Yes to This is Us!) I felt encouraged me to cautiously consider this new Anne.
So, when Anne launched in Canada in March, I took the plunge. By the end of the two-hour premiere, I was sold—not because the series is by the book, which it isn’t– but because the themes of trauma, loss, orphans, and redemption spoke to my heart.
You see, I write and speak about the impact of childhood trauma on survivors and their loved ones. Childhood trauma is an accurately-portrayed theme in this adaptation. Ironically, one week after viewing the premiere, I headed to a 5-day trauma conference. At the conference, I gathered more information on the topic and was delighted to find that it helped me delve deeper into the world of Anne.
I’m not suggesting that you need to embrace every off-the-book scene and character. However, understanding the impact of childhood trauma, neglect and yes, possible abuse during Anne’s first eleven years helped me to embrace the themes and symbolism of Anne with an E.
I’ve put together a list of seven key concepts to help you delve deeper into the world of Anne with an E.
7 Concepts
1. Attachment
The presence of a consistently attuned caregiver.
After the death of her parents, Anne is shuttled from the orphanage to homes, where she is neglected and mistreated. Anne did not have the stable presence of one caring and comforting presence during these vulnerable early childhood years. Children that grow up in such settings are impacted physically and psychologically. Developmentally, these years are a time of rapid growth in the brain. The brain is learning to connect and trust. If there is no safety, the child’s development is affected. Such is the case for Anne.
In Episode 2, Anne eloquently expresses the damage of inconsistent caregiving with this statement to Diana.
“But I feel they could send me away at any moment. I just don’t want to get too attached—not if it’s all going to disappear.”
2. Attunement
The presence of a caregiver who responds to the child’s needs.
Anne’s needs are most certainly not met by the supposed-caregivers at the orphanage or in the homes in which she is placed. Instead, Anne is forced to deny her needs and to care for others.
Until Matthew and Marilla, no one watches out for Anne.
Episode 2 gives us hope for the healing and restoration of the orphan, Anne. (Yes, I know this is an off-book episode, but hear me out!) Matthew’s desperate search for his new charge symbolizes his attunement to Anne’s deep needs. He goes to all lengths to find the orphan and when he does, he calls her “my daughter”. I suspect the writers wanted to portray the deep rejection within Anne. Would she have gone with Matthew had he not called out to her with the word ‘daughter’? We don’t know.
The gift of the name ‘Cuthbert’ further cements belonging for Anne. Matthew and Marilla allow Anne to sign and resign the family Bible. The two new parents intuitively recognize the importance of this gift to their new charge and allow her to receive full benefit from the signing ceremony.
3. Developmental trauma
Trauma is any experience that leaves an individual feeling powerless, in terror, or fearing for their safety. Developmental trauma refers to trauma, often ongoing, that takes place from infancy through adolescence.
Prior to her arrival at Green Gables, Anne is exposed to neglect, physical, verbal and emotional abuse. She also overhears things that Matthew so wisely put as “. . . things girls her age shouldn’t know about.”
Exposure to one or more prevents the child from healthy physical, mental, and emotional development.
4. Stigma
A mark or stain of disgrace.
The new Anne does an excellent job of exposing deep-rooted prejudice and disdain of orphans—a fact that is lost to us today. The picnic scene in episode 2 paints a disturbing picture of the commentary to which Anne and now, Marilla and Matthew as her new family are exposed.
Themes of stigma and societal prejudice are woven throughout the series as the producers also address gender, age, poverty, education, and sexual orientation.
We see strong role models emerge that inspire our young heroine.
5. Affect and Regulation
Affect refers to one’s emotional state.
Regulation means the ability to manage and calm one’s emotions.
Anne’s emotional exuberance is absolutely endearing. But she is prone to emotional swings. One minute she’s up and, well, the next she is down.
These types of extreme emotional reactions are quite common for individuals with a history of childhood trauma. If there is not consistent and attuned caregiving coupled with neglect and abuse, children do not learn healthy emotional expression nor the ability to calm themselves. Parents are to mirror healthy emotions to their little ones and, subsequently teach their children how to soothe distressing feelings.
Unfortunately, after the death of her parents, there is no one to do this for Anne. Not only that, but without the availability of comforting caregivers, she lives in a constant state of stress resulting in heightened emotional responses.
Anne’s wild emotional reactions are what makes her endearing, but they are also what make her character difficult as Marilla so bluntly states in Episode 5:
“You are a genius for getting into trouble.”
As the series unfolds, we see Anne’s ability to control her outbursts and behave in calm and wise way. Anne’s raw emotions are tempered by the soothing and strong presence of her caregivers. It is a beautiful thing to witness.
6. Imagination as protection
I might step on a few toes here because Anne’s imagination is one of her most beloved characteristics. However, I believe it’s clear that Anne’s imagination also helps protect her from past painful realities.
Escaping into an imaginary world is common for children, but perhaps more so for neglected children. The brain has built-in protective mechanisms that allow children to mentally flee when they cannot physically do so. It is an incredible, life-saving way the brain protects these children who are in unbearable situations. It’s possible that Anne’s seamless ability to slide in and out of her imagination is a sign of the depth of neglect she suffered. Cordelia, Katie, and Grizelda are as real as the physical world to her. These ‘friends’ help soothe her loneliness.
However, we start to see how Anne’s imagination, once so necessary, is now becoming a hindrance. In episode 4, she burns the pie!
Anne’s newfound security with new friends, Diana and Ruby along with the stable presence of Matthew and Marilla mean that her imaginary friends may no longer be needed. In a touching scene, Anne intuitively knows that she no longer needs her imaginary friend, Katie. We see her bid a final goodbye in Episode 4.
7. Integration
Integration occurs when the trauma of the past takes its place in a person’s life story. It is no longer intrusive or cut off. It exists as part of one’s life history.
With enough safety and security from the consistent presence of loving caregivers, the traumatic events of the past begin to loosen their grip on Anne. Intrusive memories of the past lessen. She behaves with maturity and wisdom—especially in the midst of a crisis.
First of all, there is the heroic saving of Minnie Mae. Anne’s experiences caring for children serve her well as she calmly directs a desperate situation.
Secondly, Anne is a strong and stable support for Marilla who faces the potential loss of Green Gables. Listen to Anne’s wise words as she firmly tells Marilla that she is going to accompany her to the bank to deal with the recalled loan.
“I know for a fact that when one is under stress it’s hard to hear what’s being said. It’s as if the person is speaking under water.”
This last episode speaks of healing and redemption of our beloved Anne.
Again, I am not advocating carte blanche acceptance of every off-book scene and characterization in this new adaption. I found some scenes (SPOILER ALERT: Matthew’s near-miss suicide attempt) a bit far-fetched.
However, a little information about a few key concepts goes a long way. It helps me, and I hope you, to understand and to embrace the nuances of Anne with an E.
What do you think?
Does this information help you understand Anne with an E?
What do you think about the impact of Anne’s early childhood on her character?
Let me know in the comments or social media.
Thank you for sharing this. Just love all the attention this Anne is getting. Can’t wait to see further development in Series 2.
Thanks, Jill! I thought Heather’s insights were amazing. Heartening to know Anne is being “healed” by the consistent love of her new parents. A slow process, but real.
Thank you for sharing Lorilee and Heather.
These are thoughts that ran through my head as I watched the series even if they weren’t quite as organised. They were a huge part in making me love this series.
My personal taste goes to the story that presents us with a child in need, a ‘real’ orphan, with all the darkness that comes with it, and let’s us see that child find safe harbour and also thrive afterwards. This is what “Anne with an e” is to me. On top of that, it helps that the story is familiar and that the main character has such an interesting and quirky personality. On a side note I’d like to add that episodes 1 and 2 are my favourites and I think that together they form a complete story that starts and ends nicely, could very well be a movie.
I find Kevin Sullivan’s version to be happy. There, Anne is an orphan and also has a genius for getting into trouble but they are upbeat troubles, like pippi longstocking problems, suitable for children. This is fine, it’s different, but I do hope that people don’t watch any of the series and punish the other for portraying distinct visions of the book (which seems to be the main gripe in most bad reviews).
Hi, Mori and Jill! Thank you for reading and for your comments! Mori, what a great comparison with Pippi Longstocking. It was a feel-good, comforting take on the books, which is why people are so committed to them. And, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, I love that this new ADAPTATION causes us to question and think about new aspects of the books. I loved the books because Anne is an orphan. I think that theme speaks to so many people. And a plug for Lorilee’s book, which so aptly speaks to this theme. I hope you’ll check it out if you haven’t done so already.
Yes, what many are missing is that the darkness turns to light for Anne. This series “let’s us see that child find safe harbour and also thrive afterwards.” YES!
This is extraordinarily helpful and really easy to comprehend. Thank you very much. When all’s said and done, this entry has helped me see Anne With An ‘E’ through a very different prism.
I think what you’ve shared is the work of many decades and of much experience, and I think maybe L.M. Montgomery handled them differently in Anne of Green Gables, although in her later books for Anne (as in Anne of Ingleside and Rainbow Valley), it seems to me that maybe she touched on child neglect and trauma a little more in detail (the Meredith children, for example) — and she saved them, in other ways. I think, also, that in the Anne of Green Gables book, the points on attachment and integration which you mention in this entry are very clear, although not always to the child reader who has not the experience or understanding. I only know that when I was a child and reading Anne of Green Gables for the first time, I knew immediately that Anne’s imagination was clearly her protection against everything else — I definitely didn’t suffer the neglect that she did nor the unspeakable trauma many children have gone through, and I am more fortunate than so many out there, but there were other things that hurt horribly, things close to home and heart, and I know that I took innumerable flights of fantasy through reading and imagination, just to escape. I know now that I was not the only one.
Our family relates well to Anne’s struggles. Not abuse survivors, but rather living on the autism spectrum. I wondered if even the producers had the increasing number of children with autism in mind as well.
Thank you for your comment, Living with Challenges. You might find it interesting to know that I (Heather) have a daughter on the autistic spectrum. I understand what you mean! I think that’s why I loved this new Anne: it’s relevant for all of us who live with challenges and struggles.
I first wamt to say I love all of the Anne of Green Gables movies yet in Anne with an E I think she plays an exquisite part with so much depth. I’ll tell my husband isn’t it nice to wake up everyday knowing you can make new mistakes and shopping, errands, etc. I’m going on an adventure. I binged the who 2 seasons and want more please tell me it’s not going off of Netflix I hope not I’m always checking to see of they’ve added a new season. The Mathew scene all are talking about I think they just wanted to convey to readers the kind of dark times that families can go through and that it can work out to as far as Annes mice scene children become teens they go through puberty and talk and giggle to. I don’t think it’s a big deal and sure young girls are loving it. I love Diana and Gilbert in Anne with an E to! I’ll sit with this a while and me back to say which Anne of Green Gables character I like the most I love all the movies. I’m so glad there’s a blog link this to come to to read and interact about Anne!
I actually was looking for a blog so that I could discuss Anne’s overactive imagination (which I find odd for someone of her age) with someone – and your post brings up the exact points that I wished to discuss – the fact that it is likely due to the trauma she suffered during her early childhood.
As I was watching the show, it came to me that there was something about Anne’s behavior that seemed somewhat odd to me in a person of her age: the imaginary games she played again and again (for example, where she play-acted that she was PRincess Cordellia) and got so involved with her game that she even burnt a pe! Although I am getting older by the minute, I do remember when I was 13 quite vividly. I would not have been caught dead of play-acting like that at that age… I think the last time I did play acting of any sort was in the 5th grade when I was about 9 or 10 with Barbie dolls (and our games were much more gruesome and tragic than pretending we were a princess – but I blame that on the times we live in). Although I will admit I still had an overactive imagination and loved fantasy and reading and writing like Anne. Most other girls my age acted even more “mature” than me at 13 – they were already wearing makeup, dressing like sexy mini adults, drinking and using substances, having relations with boys etc.
It is even stranger considering the fact that in the 1890s, a girl of 13 was considered to be almost a woman. Many girls had married and started a family by the age of 16, while others were working in a serious profession such as teaching. Therefore, one would assume that girls of 13 or 14 would act almost like adults.
I assumed that it was because Anne was somewhat emotionally and mentally stunted due to the trauma she experienced as a child (despite being brilliant and having a great presence of mind during emergencies). However, you did a great job fleshing out my thoughts in greater detail so I appreciated reading this post.