Anne Shirley, the spirited orphan with a vivid imagination and a penchant for dramatic pronouncements, is a beloved character whose inner world is as rich and complex as the landscapes of Avonlea. While there isn't one single definitive monologue attributed to Anne in Anne of Green Gables, we can craft one based on her signature voice and the recurring themes in L.M. Montgomery's novels. This monologue captures Anne's characteristic blend of optimism, self-doubt, and unwavering passion.
(Anne sits alone in her room at Green Gables, gazing out the window at a stormy sunset. She clutches a worn book close to her chest.)
"Oh, the sunset! It’s truly magnificent, isn’t it? Fiery and tempestuous, like my own soul sometimes. People say I’m dramatic, impulsive… a little too much. But how can one not be moved by the breathtaking beauty of the world? How can one not feel the urgency of dreams pressing against their heart? I dream of writing, you see. Of weaving words into tapestries of feeling, stories so vibrant they leap off the page and embrace the reader. I see myself, pen in hand, crafting tales of romance and adventure, of heartache and triumph. I long to share the stories that bloom in my head, the tales of shimmering lakes and whispering willows, of kindred spirits and unwavering friendship.
But What If My Dreams Are Just… Foolish?
Many tell me my imagination is too…wild. That I dream too big. That a girl like me, with only a scraped-together education and a tendency towards impulsive acts, will never truly amount to anything grand. They say I should focus on things more…practical. But practicality feels like a cage to me, a prison of conformity. It stifles the fire in my heart, the fire that urges me to soar.
Can I Truly Achieve My Ambitions?
Sometimes, the weight of their doubt crushes me. I see myself failing, falling short, becoming just another anonymous face in the crowd. The fear, sharp as a shard of glass, cuts through my hopeful heart. Will I ever find the courage to chase my dreams relentlessly, to face the inevitable rejections and disappointments? Will my words ever find the audience they deserve? Will the world ever see the stories nestled deep within my soul? Will I ever be truly, utterly happy?
What About Love and Belonging?
And then there’s…love. The kind that makes your heart race and your breath catch in your throat. The kind that makes you feel entirely seen, entirely understood. I dream of that too, of a love that is true and lasting, a love that would make my life even more colorful than it already is. But what if I’m never worthy of such affection? What if I continue to stumble, making mistakes and bruising the hearts of those around me? What if I’m destined to always be alone, my spirit untethered, yearning for connection?
(Anne takes a deep breath, a newfound strength in her gaze.)
But then, I look again at this glorious sunset. And I remember that even in the darkest storms, there's always a promise of light. Even if the path is filled with challenges, even if doubt whispers its insidious lies, I will keep writing. I will keep dreaming. I will keep believing in the magic of stories, the power of words, and the possibility of a future more beautiful than any sunset I've ever witnessed. Because even if I fail, even if my dreams remain just that—dreams—the act of dreaming itself is an act of defiance, an act of hope, an act of pure, unadulterated life. And that, my friends, is worth more than all the practicality in the world.
