Anne of the Island · Chapter
XXXIII: “He Just Kept Coming and Coming” explained
Anne finds Janet crying on her fortieth birthday because John Douglas has been courting her for twenty years without proposing.
What happens
Anne finds Janet crying on her fortieth birthday because John Douglas has been courting her for twenty years without proposing. Janet confesses her frustration and humiliation, and Anne urges her to show some spirit. At prayer meeting, Janet rebuffs John, but Anne, seeing his anguish, runs after him and brings him back, reconciling the couple.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Janet's twenty-year wait for a proposal and Anne's intervention highlight the complexities and societal expectations of courtship and marriage.
Change and Loss
Janet's fear of losing John and the emotional turmoil of her fortieth birthday underscore the theme of change and the passage of time.
Characters to notice
- Anne Shirley
Comforts Janet, advises her to take a stand, then impulsively intervenes to bring John Douglas back.
- Janet Sweet
Cries on her fortieth birthday, reveals her twenty-year unrequited courtship with John Douglas, and reluctantly follows Anne's advice before being reconciled.
- John Douglas
Has been courting Janet for twenty years without proposing; is visibly hurt when she rebuffs him, but returns when Anne intervenes.
Key passages
““I’m—I’m forty today,” sobbed Janet.”
Janet cries because she has turned forty.
Janet's distress over her age and unmarried status.
““He has had twenty years. How much time does he want?””
Janet laments that John Douglas has courted her for twenty years without proposing.
Janet's frustration with John's prolonged courtship.
““Stop! Stop!” Anne called wildly after him, not caring in the least for the other dumbfounded onlookers.”
Anne runs after John Douglas, ignoring the shocked crowd, to bring him back to Janet.
Anne's impulsive act to reconcile the couple.