# A Golden Picnic explained — Anne of Avonlea

> Chapter companion for Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery.

## What happens

Anne plans a spring birthday picnic with Diana, Priscilla, and Jane. They explore the woods, discover Hester Gray's abandoned garden filled with narcissi, and enjoy a day of beauty and friendship. Anne reflects on the soul of poetry and the story of Hester Gray, a young bride who lived and died in the secluded farmhouse.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and Beauty

The entire chapter celebrates the beauty of spring, woods, and Hester Gray's garden, with Anne finding poetry in natural scenes.

### Imagination and Idealism

Anne's poetic interpretations of nature, her vision of souls as light, and her desire to make the day 'golden' highlight her imaginative and idealistic nature.

### Love and Friendship

The picnic strengthens the bond among Anne, Diana, Priscilla, and Jane, and the story of Hester Gray illustrates a romantic love story.

## Character check-ins

### Anne Shirley

Organizes the golden picnic, celebrates her birthday in spring, leads the exploration, and reflects on poetry and the soul.

### Diana Barry

Joins the picnic, tells the story of Hester Gray's garden, and enjoys the day.

### Priscilla Grant

Participates in the picnic, shares poetic thoughts about violets and souls.

### Jane Andrews

Attends the picnic, initially practical but later appreciates the woods.

### Mr. J. A. Harrison

Sees the four girls crossing his field while harrowing.

### Hester Gray

Her garden is discovered; her story is told by Diana.

## Key lines

> If a kiss could be seen I think it would look like a violet.

Priscilla suggests that a visible kiss would resemble a violet.

_Anne appreciates Priscilla's poetic thought and encourages speaking one's real thoughts._

> The real poem is the soul within them... and that beautiful bit is the soul of an unwritten poem.

Anne explains that the essence of a poem is its inner spirit, not just the words.

_Anne points to a mossy log in the brook as an example of an unwritten poem's soul._

> I like to fancy souls as being made of light.

Anne imagines that souls are composed of light, with different colors and textures.

_She describes souls as having various appearances, like rosy stains or moonlight._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xiii-a-golden-picnic
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters