Anne of the Island · Chapter
Enter Jonas explained
Philippa Gordon writes a long, humorous letter to Anne from Prospect Point, describing her summer boardinghouse companions—four eccentric old ladies—and her growing, conflicted feelings for Jonas Blake, an ugly but earnest theology student.
What happens
Philippa Gordon writes a long, humorous letter to Anne from Prospect Point, describing her summer boardinghouse companions—four eccentric old ladies—and her growing, conflicted feelings for Jonas Blake, an ugly but earnest theology student. She recounts his powerful sermon, which makes her feel frivolous, and confesses her fear that she may be falling in love with him.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Discovery
Phil's letter reveals her internal struggle to understand her own character and worth, especially after hearing Jonas's sermon.
Ambition and Career
Jonas's calling to the ministry and Phil's contemplation of what it means to be a minister's wife highlight themes of vocation and life purpose.
Characters to notice
- Philippa Gordon
Writes a letter to Anne from Prospect Point, describing her summer experiences and her complex feelings about Jonas Blake.
- Anne Shirley
The recipient of Phil's letter; Phil addresses her directly and confides in her.
- Jonas Blake
A theology student at Prospect Point; Phil describes his appearance, character, and the impact of his sermon on her.
- Miss Maria Grimsby
One of the old ladies at the boardinghouse; she laughs at everything Phil says.
- Aunt Jamesina
Mentioned by Phil in comparison to Mrs. Phinney's disapproval.
Key passages
“I have a huge pile of letters to answer, so I must gird up the loins of my mind and hoe in. Excuse my mixed metaphors.”
Phil says she has many letters to write and must mentally prepare herself, apologizing for mixing her metaphors.
Phil's playful, self-aware humor is evident as she acknowledges her mixed metaphors.
“He is a very ugly young man—really, the ugliest young man I’ve ever seen. He has a big, loose-jointed figure with absurdly long legs. His hair is tow-colour and lank, his eyes are green, and his mouth is big, and his ears—but I never think about his ears if I can help it.”
Phil describes Jonas as extremely unattractive, with a lanky frame, pale hair, green eyes, and a large mouth, though she tries not to notice his ears.
Phil's candid and humorous physical description contrasts with her growing emotional attachment.
“I realized then and there what a pitiful, frivolous, small-souled little butterfly I was, and how horribly different I must be from Jonas’ ideal woman.”
After hearing Jonas preach, Phil feels ashamed of her own frivolity and believes she falls short of the kind of woman he would admire.
This moment marks a turning point in Phil's self-perception and her feelings for Jonas.