Anne of Green Gables: Chapter Study Guide - "Diana Is Invited to Tea with
Tragic Results"
This guide will help you understand the key elements of Chapter 8, "Diana Is Invited to Tea with Tragic Results."
Themes / Big Ideas
The Power of Imagination: Anne's vivid imagination is central to the chapter. It both enriches her life (finding joy in October, creating stories) and causes problems (forgetting tasks while daydreaming).
Friendship & Social Acceptance: The chapter explores the importance of friendship to Anne and her desire for social connection. The potential loss of Diana’s friendship is devastating to her.
Responsibility & Maturity: Marilla attempts to instill responsibility in Anne, but Anne struggles with focus and prioritization. The chapter highlights the challenges of growing up and learning to balance dreams with practical duties.
Misunderstanding & Prejudice: The conflict with Mrs. Barry stems from a misunderstanding and her preconceived notions about Anne's character. This demonstrates how quickly judgments can be made and the difficulty of overcoming them.
The Consequences of Actions: Anne's innocent mistake with the cordial has significant repercussions, showing that even well-intentioned actions can have unintended negative outcomes.
Vocabulary List
| Word | Part of Speech | Definition
|
|---------------|----------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Revel | Verb | To take great pleasure or joy in |
| Aesthetic | Adjective | Concerned with beauty; artistic |
| Clutter | Verb | To fill or crowd with things in a disorderly way |
| Addlepated | Adjective | Silly, foolish; muddled or confused |
| Notion | Noun | A conception of an idea or belief |
| Hospitable | Adjective | Welcoming and generous to guests |
| Ecstatically | Adverb | In a state of overwhelming happiness or joy |
| Dignified | Adjective | Having or showing a composed or stately manner |
| Primly | Adverb | In a stiffly formal and proper way |
| Unnatural | Adjective | Not natural; artificial |
| Solemnity | Noun | The state of being serious and dignified |
| Intoxicate | Verb | To make someone drunk; to exhilarate or excite |
| Mortification | Noun | The state of being humiliated or ashamed |
| Pretense | Noun | An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true |
| Suppliant | Noun | A person who asks for something earnestly |
Quotes to Look For
“Oh, Marilla,” she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” – This quote exemplifies Anne’s appreciation for beauty and her ability to find joy in simple things.
“Messy things,” said Marilla, whose aesthetic sense was not noticeably developed. “You clutter up your room entirely too much with out-of-doors stuff, Anne. Bedrooms were made to sleep in.” – This highlights the contrast between Anne and Marilla’s personalities.
“But you keep your wits about you this time.” – Marilla’s warning foreshadows the trouble to come.
“Oh, Marilla, I’m just overcome with woe.” – This demonstrates Anne's dramatic nature and her deep emotional response to the situation.
“Mrs. Barry, I did not mean to—to—intoxicate Diana. How could I? Just imagine if you were a poor little orphan girl that kind people had adopted and you had just one bosom friend in all the world. Do you think you would intoxicate her on purpose?” – This quote shows Anne’s attempt to appeal to Mrs. Barry's empathy and her passionate defense of herself.
“My last hope is gone,” she told Marilla. – This illustrates the depth of Anne’s despair over losing Diana's friendship.
“Marilla, I do not believe that God Himself can do very much with such an obstinate person as Mrs. Barry.” – This quote showcases Anne’s tendency towards exaggeration and her strong opinions.