Anne of Green Gables Duty Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"I do not like patchwork," said Anne dolefully, hunting out her work-basket and sitting down before a little heap of red and white diamonds with a sigh. "I think some kinds of sewing would be nice; but there's no scope for imagination in patchwork. It's just one little seam after another and you never seem to be getting anywhere." (13.14)

Anne would do well with tasks that require creativity. But unfortunately, in this society, a lot of housework doesn't.

Quote #5

"Marilla is a famous cook. She is trying to teach me to cook but I assure you, Diana, it is uphill work. There's so little scope for imagination in cookery. You just have to go by the rules. The last time I made a cake I forgot to put the flour in. I was thinking the loveliest story about you and me, Diana." (16.28)

This seems to be the pattern of how Anne keeps messing up her household duties: halfway through the task, Anne starts imagining something; Anne forgets key step; Anne ruins whatever thing she's making. She just can't seem to turn her imagination off.

Quote #6

"And I'm so glad Mrs. Hammond had three pairs of twins after all. If she hadn't I mightn't have known what to do for Minnie May. I'm real sorry I was ever cross with Mrs. Hammond for having twins." (18.38)

Here's the first clue in the book that responsibilities can actually come in handy, and it's a pretty extreme example. Anne's job before Green Gables was to care for babies, and if she'd never learned to do it, Diana's baby sister would have died.