Anne of Avonlea · Chapter
IV: Different Opinions explained
On the eve of the first day of school, Anne Shirley, Jane Andrews, and Gilbert Blythe discuss their differing philosophies on teaching and discipline.
What happens
On the eve of the first day of school, Anne Shirley, Jane Andrews, and Gilbert Blythe discuss their differing philosophies on teaching and discipline. Anne advocates for governing by affection and avoiding corporal punishment, while Jane supports whipping as necessary for order. Gilbert takes a middle ground, favoring corporal punishment only as a last resort. Later, Anne visits Mr. Harrison, who teases her about her idealistic methods and predicts she will lose her temper. Anne goes to bed anxious and pessimistic, but Marilla reassures her that failure in one day is not the end.
Themes in this chapter
Education and Influence
The chapter explores contrasting educational philosophies: Anne's idealistic approach of winning affection versus Jane's pragmatic use of punishment, and Gilbert's compromise.
Growth and Maturation
Anne faces the responsibility of teaching and the anxiety of stepping into adulthood, while Mr. Harrison and Marilla remind her of her youth and inexperience.
Community and Belonging
Anne's interactions with Jane, Gilbert, Mr. Harrison, and Marilla reflect the community's expectations and support as she prepares for her new role.
Characters to notice
- Anne Shirley
Anxious about her first day of teaching, she firmly opposes corporal punishment and believes in governing by affection, though she is teased by Mr. Harrison and worried by Marilla.
- Jane Andrews
Pragmatic and unambitious beyond earning her salary and pleasing trustees, she supports whipping as the shortest way to maintain order.
- Gilbert Blythe
Torn between his convictions and a desire to please Anne, he advocates corporal punishment only as a last resort, pleasing neither Anne nor Jane.
- Mr. J. A. Harrison
Teases Anne about her teaching methods, predicting she will lose her temper and resort to whipping, and calls her too young and childish for teaching.
- Marilla Cuthbert
Reassures Anne that failure in one day is not the end and chides her for expecting to reform all faults immediately.
- Ginger
The parrot continues to greet Anne sarcastically as 'redheaded snippet,' despite Mr. Harrison's attempts to train him otherwise.
Key passages
“I’d rather have my pupils love me and look back to me in after years as a real helper than be on the roll of honour.”
Anne values being remembered as a caring influence over receiving official recognition.
Anne expresses her idealistic teaching philosophy, prioritizing emotional connection over accolades.
“Mrs. Lynde’s loud, decided tones floated out through the open kitchen window. 'Mrs. Lynde has come up to give me good advice about tomorrow,' thought Anne with a grimace, 'but I don’t believe I’ll go in. Her advice is much like pepper, I think … excellent in small quantities but rather scorching in her doses.'”
Anne avoids Mrs. Lynde's advice, comparing it to pepper that is good only in small amounts.
Anne's humorous internal reflection shows her wariness of Mrs. Lynde's overbearing counsel.
“I shall govern by affection, Mr. Harrison.”
Anne plans to maintain classroom order through kindness and emotional bonds.
Anne states her core teaching principle, which Mr. Harrison dismisses as impractical.
“The trouble with you, Anne, is that you’ll expect to teach those children everything and reform all their faults right off, and if you can’t you’ll think you’ve failed.”
Marilla tells Anne that she sets unrealistically high expectations for herself.
Marilla offers practical wisdom, warning Anne against perfectionism.
