Anne with an E is a Canadian episodic television series based on a book entitled "Anne of Green Gables"
by Lucy Maud Montgomery and set in the 19th century. It has 3 seasons. Anne
with an E received positive reviews and won Canadian Screen Award for Best
Dramatic Series in both 2017 and 2018.
This series tells the story of a blonde orphan girl named Anne
Shirley who is later adopted by two siblings, Matthew and Marilla. Initially,
Matthew and Marilla intended to adopt a son so that he could help take care of
Green Gables, their vast fields. Green Gables is on the outskirts of the Canadian town of
Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. But a
mistake occurred and they did not have the heart to send Anne back to the
orphanage. Anne is a 13-year-old girl who likes reading and used difficult
words to describe what she wants to say. She was imaginative, bright, brave,
and talkative.
Anne lived as a servant before being placed in an orphanage.
Later, when she entered the orphanage, she received bullying from her friends.
Anne continues to face bullying from students in the Avonlea school, but then
the students liked her more and more because of her nature. Anne has a best
friend named Diana Barry and likes someone named Gilbert Blythe. This series
not only tells the story of Anne's life but also the people in Avonlea, and
raises a range of issues that are still relevant now.
Gender Equality and Sexual Harassment Towards Women
Gender
equality in this series has been raised in various episodes. This issue was
first discussed in the episode "Your Will Shall Decide Your Destiny".
Women are considered weaker than men, both then and now. Anne said to Marilla, “I’m
as strong as a boy, and I prefer to be outdoors rather than cooped up in a
kitchen. It doesn’t make sense that girls aren’t allowed to do farm work when
girls can do anything a boy can do and more! Do you consider yourself to be
delicate and incapable? Because I certainly don’t”.
In this
series, it is told that women cannot do heavy work, their job is only in the
kitchen. Women also do not need to go to a higher level of education because in
the future they will only follow their husbands. Anne's quote seems to call on
the public that gender equality must be enforced. Women can do many things that
even men cannot, and they also have rights over themselves. Ms. Stacy's
presence in season 2 as Anne’s teacher also adds to the emphasis on this issue.
Women have the freedom to be able to dress modestly, and they also deserve a
lot of knowledge and be smarter than men.
Josie
Pye, Anne's classmate, received indecent treatment from her boyfriend, Billy
Andrews. But instead, it was Josie Pye (the victim) who was ostracized and
humiliated. This is certainly not fair. Then in the episode "A Strong
Effort of the Spirit of Good", Anne wrote an article aimed at helping
Josie Pye gain her rights as a woman.
“Women
matter on their own, not in relation to a man. We all deserve the right to
bodily autonomy and to be treated with respect and dignity. To say “stop” and
be heard; instead of pushed, derided, and told that a man knows more about our
basic rights and desires than we do. Women are not made whole by men. Women are
made whole the moment they enter this world”.
LGBT Issue
Since the appearance of Cole Mackenzie in season
2, LGBT issues have been raised. Cole is one of Anne's close friends who can be
said to have a difference/uniqueness, he has such feminine proclivities.
Because of that, he was often bullied by his classmates. Cole is a child who is
very good at art. He once painted the stage for performance. But unfortunately,
he was bullied by his friend until he fell down the stairs and got injured.
Diana's aunt named "Josephine Barry"
is well-regarded by society. Even though it turned out that Diana's family did
not know that Aunt Josephine had married another woman, everyone around her
respected and appreciated her love story. Cole said to Anne, “I don't want
to be unique. Unique means weird”. Then Anne said, “I think it means
singular and extraordinary”. Uniqueness and differences are not a mistake.
And love is the right of everyone that must be respected. Even if you do not
agree with this perspective, don't judge them as they are wrong. But, let them
be themselves with their differences.
Freedom of Speech
In the episode "A Strong Effort of the
Spirit of Good", Anne and her friends are prohibited from writing
articles. Especially about sexual harassment that happens to Josie Pye, because
it is considered wrong and harmful to Avonlea people. Article printing
equipment in Avonlea school has been tampered with by Avonlea officials. They
think that the article seems to demean men and they should not write such
articles.
This is considered something bad and could
affect Avonlea in the future. That's why Anne and her friends take action to
realize that everyone has the right and freedom to speak and have an opinion.
Anne said, “We are here to be heard. Even though you tried to silence our
voices”. Then, they came out with their mouths tied while holding a board
that says, “Freedom of speech is a human right”.
Racism Against Black People
Black discrimination seems to begin with the appearance of the character Sebastian or Bash, he was a shipwright with Gilbert Blythe. Bash often experiences unfair treatment just because he comes from the black race. This series also shows how black people lived at that time. They are looked down upon, considered different, and have a lower rank than the white race. This reflects also the life today where many black races are distinguished and considered evil by certain people. Though not all black people are bad. And as in the case of George Floyd, he was killed by Derek Chauvin (officer). This treatment is a form of injustice for the black race which should be processed fairly through the applicable law, not through violence.
Discrimination Against Indigenous People
Discrimination against indigenous people began to be raised when the appearance of a Mi'kmaq family at the beginning of season 3. They had a girl named Ka'kwet who later became Anne's friend. It is shown how the people in Avonlea look down on Indian tribes and even they are afraid of the influence that will be caused by the presence of indigenous people. Anne was forbidden by Marilla to be friends with Ka'kwet.
Then, while reflecting through the reflection of the water, Anne said to
Ka'kwet, “It's funny how people are so quick to point out differences when
there are so many ways we're all alike”. All humans are the same. We have
no right to discriminate against people just because we think they are
different from us. In the episode "A Hope of Meeting You in Another
World", Ka'kwet was sent to go to Indian Residential School in order to
get an education.
Ka'kwet is happy about this. But
apparently, the treatment that Ka'kwet received was not something she wanted.
In that place, Ka'kwet actually got a form of discrimination. She was
mistreated and often tortured. Ka’kwet is also a child and she shouldn't get
that abused. Ka'kwet ventured to run away from that school and return to her
home. Then, it is shown how the indigenous are oppressed and they cannot do anything.
Ka'kwet, who had arrived at her home, was found by the men sent by Indian
Residential School to be brought back to the school. They forced Ka'kwet and
even shot her father who tried to stop them. Unfortunately, this story is still
hanging, and not resolved due to the canceled season 4 production.
This series is one of my favorite
series and I highly recommend you to watch it. Apart from the issues that I
have discussed above, there are also many lessons that you can take in this
series like family, friendship, and even love. Hope you will enjoy this series.
“I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful, or exciting happens. But just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.” -Lucy Maud Montgomery
