Anne with an Agenda
Ana Capote
Some perks of lockdown were having the time to catch up with series, movies, or books that we wouldn’t normally have. I had just finished one of my series, and I was looking for something new to start watching. So I asked one of my closest friends Maria Kopke, who told me to start watching, as you probably figured by now by the name of this post: Anne with an E.
It was a series that didn’t catch my eye that much on Netflix but since I wanted to start watch something new and I trust Maria’s taste I decided to give it a try.
It’s always difficult for me to start a new series when I just finished one that I adored! My brain somehow for no reasonable reason locks the idea that no other story or characters will have the same impact on me…As usual, I was wrong.
The more I get to know Anne, the more she grows on me. And the same happens with the other characters that Anne meets.
But before going into detail, I probably should say what the show is about right?
Long story short, the series is based on the book: Anne of Green Gables written in 1908 by Lucy Maud Montgomery, and there’s been a lot of television and cinema adaptations over the years.
“But no matter the interpretation, the core story is about a girl who appreciates the little things in life, who works hard and speaks her mind, who looks for the beauty in the world and believes that anything is possible with enough confidence, persistence, and scope for imagination” (By the Book, 2019)
The version I watched is the one created by Moira Walley-Becket that is currently on Netflix. From what I read there is a lot of changes from the original book which is causing a lot of controversy. I didn't read or knew anything about this story prior watching the series but I can understand why beloved readers didn't like to see their favorite book changed and adapted.
However, in my opinion, it is exactly that: an adaptation. Personally, I don't mind when people change original work, I find new perspectives interesting and captivating and if it makes the story more relevant for current audiences I'm all for it!
According to what I read, it adds new characters, new topics, and new storylines, but Anne was already an activist, open-minded, outspoken, and imaginative young girl that changes the world and people around her by being who she is.
The show discusses bullying, feminism, racism, homophobia and this is what's causing the most controversy. Some criticism was concerned about the show's 'agenda' but I realized that I don't care! Again, bear in mind that I didn’t know the book or previous adaptations done before, but prejudice is still something very present in our world and still needs to be addressed.
Most people who know me know I believe that conversation can evoke change by sharing ideas and different points of view. Additionally, it can make people think about topics that perhaps they never though of before. This includes the conversations also generated from watching series. I’m all up for debates and themes that can generate them and a lot of the things we watch have that effect.
Joanna Douglas who plays Miss Stacy, a forward-thinking, fierce, and compassionate teacher mentioned in an interview: “Hopefully this episode that deals with assault can help with change in our society by hopefully bringing the conversation into the homes that are viewing the show”
In my opinion, I think it's very clever to address these topics in 19th Century, when the gender differences and discrimination were even more evident. In a time period when there is so much that needs change, it’s very exciting to see these characters, children and adults having these conversations and realizing what’s wrong in the world they’re living.
It’s really refreshing to see a little girl this inspiring and in love with the world that surrounds her whilst still questioning it. It’s amazing to see her having an impact on others, as the story develops, just by thinking out loud!
“Anne With an E continues to use characters shoehorned in from 2018 to explain race and gender and sexuality to people on Prince Edward Island in 1908 as a way of explaining those things to people watching television on the internet in 2018.” (Heather Hogan)
I also realized I don't mind if a period set story loses some sort of veracity over themes that wouldn't be common then. I wasn't too bothered with the fact that Anne probably wouldn't have such a forward-thinking or be that open-minded about homosexuality or sexual assault. I'm aware that in those times you would barely if at all hear about it but ... it's not a documentary, if I want complete veracity in historical content I would grab my history book. And even history is told by someone's perspective...
The creative team is mainly women, the lead character is a girl and it’s based on a woman’s book! This is really inspiring and women in creative teams bring new perspectives that we don’t see that often, as stated, by Moira Walley-Becket, the creator and executive producer: “I felt it very powerfully that to tell this coming of age story I wanted the point of view of a diverse group of women to help me tell it”. Additionally, Miranda de Pencier, executive producer, added: “We did make a conscious effort to hire women in that writing room. I think having a show that is female-led is gonna bring up certain perspectives that are unique”.
Spoilers Ahead!
An episode, I particularly enjoyed and would like to mention, was the one where Anne and two of her friends, Diana and Cole, go to an adult party in Josephine’s house, Diana’s aunt. This party turns out to be a discovery to those 3 children in different ways, all of them question what they know or gain an understanding of who they are:
• Anne, used to always be an outsider, not fitting in as easy as others, feels completely at home and in her environment, surrounded by creatives, artists, open-minded and not judgmental people who understand her and like her!
• Cole, realizes, he is ‘like aunt Josephine’: gay. And for the first time, feels accepted and realizes there is nothing wrong with him. After Cole reveals this to Anne, she says: "Life is very complicated. And again, is very simple. Love who you love and be with them"
• Last but not least, Diana, is the most shook with it all, I believe. Not only is she confronted by the fact that her aunt is gay and 'lied' to the family all those years, but also with how other women live their lives, which are so different from her parents and how she was raised and thought to think.
There’s a lovely scene between Diana and a woman pianist she admires who asks her if music is something she aspires too. We can see Diana’s confusion while responding that she will continue playing if it’s something her husbands enjoy, to which aunt Josephine replies:
"Look around child, despite what you’ve been told your life doesn’t have to be the exact replica of your parents. Marriage is wonderful if love is why you marry but perhaps you’d like something more than simply keeping a house.”
Bear in mind that these are children. How from a young age, girls and boys were taught how their lives are supposed to be lived, despite what they want or desire.
I just thought it was wonderful how this little girl was thought to think and how confused she was when confronted with a reality she didn’t even think could be possible.
And this happens multiple times with different characters throughout the series. Girls weren’t taught to think, weren’t boost to pursue an academic career or to look with a critic eye at things and have a voice!
I believe that’s what Anne’s character symbolizes. Not accepting as true whatever you’re told, but think critically about it and question it. Question traditions. Question values. Question what is stated as right or wrong and create your own opinions.
There are so many scenes filled with monologues and lines that could be part of a conversation today and that’s the beauty of this show.
I do believe conversation can instigate change and we still need these topics to be addressed.
I think it’s so important to remember history and how society has changed. For me, this show gave me hope! Remembering how far the world came astound me! Remembering how limiting life was, how judgmental and narrow-minded people could be and how discrimination and prejudice were so imbued in people’s behaviors that people would go through life without questioning it. There's obviously still a long way to go and that's why it's relevant to talk about it and I believe these shows help initiate those conversations.
To finish this post I just want to leave you with a quote Anne says and that we can apply in every situation of our own lives. Whenever you feel stuck or alone, or feel that there’s no other way or solution for whatever obstacle you come across… just remember:
There’s so much more possibility!