Anne of Avonlea · Chapter
Davy in Search of a Sensation explained
Anne walks home through the Birch Path, reflecting on the beauty of November and her love of dreaming.
What happens
Anne walks home through the Birch Path, reflecting on the beauty of November and her love of dreaming. She meets Diana and they plan to visit the Dicksons later. When Anne returns to Green Gables, Marilla reveals that Dora is missing. A frantic search ensues, during which Davy falsely claims ignorance. Eventually, Anne finds Dora locked in Mr. Harrison's tool-house, where Davy had imprisoned her for a scare. Confronted, Davy admits to the mischief but shows no remorse for lying until he sees Anne cry. He then repents, explaining he did not know falsehoods were wrong, and promises never to lie again.
Themes in this chapter
Forgiveness and Redemption
Davy's genuine remorse and promise to stop lying lead Anne and Marilla to forgive him, emphasizing the theme of redemption through understanding.
Education and Influence
Anne teaches Davy that falsehoods are wrong, highlighting the role of guidance in moral development.
Imagination and Idealism
Anne's imaginative reflections on the woods and her childhood habit of dreaming contrast with the harsh reality of Davy's deception.
Characters to notice
- Anne Shirley
Walks home through the Birch Path, reflecting on life and dreaming. Leads the search for Dora and confronts Davy about his lies.
- Davy Keith
Locks Dora in Mr. Harrison's tool-house for a scare, then lies about it. Shows remorse only after seeing Anne cry, and promises to stop telling falsehoods.
- Dora Keith
Goes missing after being locked in the tool-house by Davy. Found crying, hungry, and cold.
- Marilla Cuthbert
Panics when Dora disappears, helps search, and is grimly determined to deal with Davy's misbehavior.
- Diana Barry
Meets Anne in the Birch Path and invites her to the Dicksons' later.
- Mr. J. A. Harrison
Mentioned as being away in town; his tool-house and parrot Ginger are involved in Davy's prank.
Key passages
“What a nice month this November has been! ... This year is growing old gracefully … just like a stately old lady who knows she can be charming even with gray hair and wrinkles.”
Anne thinks November has been pleasant, comparing the year's aging to a dignified older woman who remains graceful.
Anne's poetic personification of the season reflects her imaginative nature.
“I just did it for fun. Things have been so awful quiet here for so long that I thought it would be fun to give you folks a big scare.”
Davy explains he locked Dora up to create excitement because life had been too dull.
Davy's motive reveals his childish desire for sensation and lack of forethought.
“I didn't know it was wrong to tell whoppers. ... How did you expect me to know it was wrong? All Mr. Sprott's children told them regular every day, and cross their hearts too.”
Davy claims he was unaware that lying was wrong, as it was common among the children he knew.
This highlights the influence of environment on a child's moral understanding.