She looks exactly like a—like a gimlet." Marilla smothered…
““She looks exactly like a—like a gimlet." Marilla smothered a smile under the conviction that Anne must be reproved for such a speech. "A little girl like you should be ashamed of talking so about a lady and a stranger," she said severely. "Go back and sit down quietly and hold your tongue and behave as a good girl should." "I'll try to do and be anything you want me, if you'll only keep me," said Anne, returning meekly to her ottoman. When they arrived back at Green Gables that evening Matthew met them in the lane. Marilla from afar had noted him prowling along it and guessed his motive. She was prepared for the relief she read in his face when he saw that she had at least brought back Anne back with her. But she said nothing, to him, relative to the affair, until they were both out in the yard behind the barn milking the””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Anne’s bold speech challenges social expectations, prompting correction and a lesson in humility and self‑control.
In simple terms: Anne speaks boldly, is corrected, and learns to temper her words.
Key Takeaway
Speak boldly but listen to guidance.
Themes
social norms
humility
growth
communication
Mood
reflective
concerned
educational
Type
literary
dialogue
character interaction
When to use this quote
- family dinner
- school classroom
- public speaking
- peer interaction
Key Concepts
self‑expression
discipline
authority
gender expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we encourage honesty while teaching respect?
- When is it appropriate to correct a child’s language?
A Different Perspective
Anne’s confidence can be stifled if correction is too harsh.