# XXXI: Anne to Philippa explained — Anne of the Island

> Chapter companion for Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery.

## What happens

Anne writes to Philippa from Valley Road, where she is teaching and boarding at 'Wayside' with Miss Janet Sweet. She describes Janet's appearance, home, and quirks, including the preserved coffin plates. Anne mentions her interactions with the hired boy Sam Tolliver and reflects on her history with elderly love affairs, noting she will not meddle in a current one.

## Themes in this chapter

### Home and Belonging

Anne describes her new lodgings at Wayside and her growing fondness for Janet Sweet, finding a sense of home in the small, quirky house.

### Love and Marriage

Anne mentions her involvement in elderly love affairs, including Ludovic Speed and Theodora Dix, and a current romance she observes but refrains from meddling in.

## Character check-ins

### Anne Shirley

Narrator of the letter, teaching at Valley Road and boarding with Janet Sweet.

### Philippa Gordon

Recipient of Anne's letter.

### Janet Sweet

Anne's landlady at Wayside, a kind and old-fashioned cook.

### Esther Haythorne

Previous boarder at Wayside, disliked by Janet for her fads and criticism of the feather bed.

## Key lines

> I like her; and she likes me—principally, it seems, because she had a sister named Anne who died young.

Anne feels that Janet's fondness for her stems from the memory of her deceased sister, also named Anne.

_Shows Anne's insight into human connections and her acceptance of being liked for a sentimental reason._

> I do really think, though, that Ludovic Speed would never have got any further along than placid courtship if I had not helped him and Theodora Dix out.

Anne believes that without her intervention, Ludovic Speed would have remained stuck in a slow, uneventful courtship with Theodora Dix.

_Highlights Anne's past role in facilitating a romance, contrasting with her current resolve not to meddle._

## Links

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