₁.₀ SUPERCUT; gilbert blythe ✔

048.

Anne Shirley-Cuthbert has a heart of gold.

Unlike Teddy, though, Marianne has no intention of defending said conviction with her fists. She believes it, of course, but she also knows that Anne's intentions don't always lead to the best possible outcome. It's too often that the redhead girl gives in to her emotions for one to remain oblivious to such an observation. Her doings tend to have a rather bittersweet end, only reaching the sweet part after a lot of work in the matter of straightening things out.

The situation they are forced to somehow deal with now is no different. Anne's article has caused quite a stir in their community, perhaps not even due to its message but rather because of its obvious connection to the events from the fair. It's an echo of the confrontation between the redhead girl and Billy Andrews, only this time is even more public.

As for Marianne, she cannot say she doesn't agree with what Anne wrote. In fact, reading the article caused her to feel many things, among which the feeling of pride should definitely be mentioned. Although Anne must have worked all night to accomplish it, her words doesn't seem the smallest bit chaotic or rash. On the contrary, they are strong and thought-provoking, which indicates the redhead they did not come to be on a whim. Anne must have had many thoughts on the matter already, prior to the incident, and Marianne has no choice but to admire how mature the reflexion contained in her article is.

All the things Anne wrote in the subject of equality and bodily autonomy... Well, Marianne was lucky enough to be blessed with a mother who taught her to expect nothing less. But she know it's just that - being lucky. For, even though the times are indeed changing, there are still many girls her age who do not share such a luxury, especially in towns like Avonlea. Instead, since their first years they are being told that there is a place assigned for them in the world, or, at least, in what is considered the proper society. And all they hear is that they should behave, be polite and obedient and master the art of housekeeping, all so that one day they can bring honour to their family name. So that they can become wives and mothers, and subordinate their whole existence to the idea of doing all they can and more to make sure that those around them are happy: parents, husbands, children and grandchildren. It's too often that later in life they are made to sacrifice themselves in the name of the greater good, meanwhile the society doesn't even allow them to acknowledge that fact, forcing them to believe that they are, in fact, happy and fulfilled.

Marianne knows it doesn't apply to all girls. She knows it doesn't apply to girls only, also. Yet there is that anger bubbling inside her now, because this is just the effect that the adopted method of rising children has. She has no intention of defending Billy Andrews after his disgusting actions, because there are many boys who do not make choices similar to his... Yet there is a part of her that blames the world, too, for allowing him to believe that whatever he desires at the moment is his to take. He should be able to tell good from wrong, but how can he ever learn if there are no consequences to his doings? Even now, she knows, the ostracism will not apply to him, for he is a man, for no one expects him to somehow upkeep the image of a person immune to the charms of the opposite sex.

He wishes to feel a girls body underneath him? Well, the boy is curious, he has needs. It's only natural, isn't it? And Josie must have wanted it, too - for why else would she allow him to ever come so close to her? Either way, her wellbeing, her wants and her words, her consent have no meaning. Whether she said yes or no matters not and there is a word to describe her with now. Right?

For indulging in that stupid, cruel fantasy, Billy Andrews should be punished. That Marianne is sure of, though she worries it will never come to that. Not only will he never face any kind of implications, he will most likely never realise the extent of the hurt he'd done.