Now that the entire first season of the Netflix original series "Anne With an E" is available for streaming as of May 12, some parents may be wondering if this new TV adaptation of L.M. Montgomery's classic novel "Anne of Green Gables" is something they'll want to show their children.
"Anne With an E" is rated TV-PG according to Netflix, and it certainly is darker and more serious than Montgomery's light-hearted, often humorous book. This new series portrays Anne Shirley in perhaps a more realistic light as a traumatized young orphan who's been neglected her young life.
One of these more realistic additions to the series is Anne's exposure to sex while she lived with rougher, more abusive families prior to moving in with the Cuthberts. However, the show handles this topic almost innocently, Anne describing it in a childlike way that could easily go over another child's head.
When she sees her teacher caressing a student's face in private (such relationships were more acceptable in this time period, unfortunately), Anne tells her friends that the two were having intimate relations and would soon have a child. She explains that men have "a little mouse" and that when women touch it they have babies.
Her attempted explanation explodes into a town rumor that results with Anne being shunned by many as orphan trash. When Marilla finds out, she's distressed that Anne would ever say such things and wonders how best to punish her new charge. As always, Anne is rescued by the ever-steady Matthew who reminds his sister that the real problem is that Anne even knows about such things in the first place. Perhaps, he argues, her behavior should inspire their compassion rather than their contempt.
Maybe that, too, could be the lesson for those who are offended that "Anne with an E" creator Moira Walley-Beckett included more adult content in the beloved story of Anne. What's most important may not be that viewers are offended by a sexual reference, but that many young, parent-less children are exposed to sex at such a young age, and that Waley-Beckett is using Anne as an example of this mistreatment.
There are a few other moments in the series that parents may want to know about beforehand, but none should be overly concerning. In one episode, Anne gets her period for the first time, in another there is a slight suggestion that Diana's Aunt Josephine may have had a lesbian life partner, and there is some blatant talk of feminism — mostly surrounding the argument that women deserve an education, a controversial idea at the time.
There are plenty of people, though, who believe Anne should be free from life's realities. Anna Mussmann of The Federalist argued in an editorial last month that the whole point of Montgomery's original Anne is that she is not realistic.
"Montgomery's Anne is a girl who has responded to suffering by seeking beauty," Mussmann writes. "… Nothing ugly, cruel or selfish has managed to stick to her."
Variety, in its review of "Anne With an E," declared that "the show gets a bit bogged down in telling the story of Anne's dysfunction, distracting from the book's greatest strength — its lighthearted comedy."
Netflix's new show does feel different from the iconic book. It deviates significantly from the original plot, especially in the final two episodes of the first season. Variety also suggests the adaptation "looks back on a childhood story with adult eyes." Maybe by adding less idealistic and more worldly details, viewers are able to see Anne not through the naive lens of a child, but from the seasoned perspective of someone who knows what it means to be raised without a stable family.
However, unless a parent is sincerely worried about the plot changes from the original "Anne of Green Gables," Netflix's "Anne with an E" contains very little objectional content. There is no swearing, not much violence and the "little mouse" metaphor is the show's only sexual reference. The series is probably too heavy for very young children, but older ones should be able to handle the content just fine. Perhaps it could even lead to a conversation between parents and their children about what trials parent-less children might have to go through today.
FAQs
There's a discussion about the facts of life using a mouse in a man's pocket as a metaphor that may be confusing for younger viewers. An episode is dedicated to Anne getting her first period. Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
What does Anne with an E find out about her parents? ›
Matthew permits Anne to continue her search for information about her birth parents, despite Marilla's misgivings. While doing her research, Anne discovers that they did die when she was a baby, and that they were originally from Scotland.
Is Anne with an E appropriate for kids? ›
Anne with an E Age Rating
The official age rating for Anne with an E is TV-PG, which suggests that parental guidance is recommended. Other resources like Common Sense Media suggest that Anne with an E is appropriate for 12-year-olds and up.
What are the trigger warnings for Anne with an E? ›
Anne and other characters in the show are bullied. Adults and children verbally abuse her and mock her looks and personality. A character intentionally hits a ladder when someone is on it, causing them to fall violently onto the floor. They break their wrist, and we hear their cries.
Can I watch Anne with an E with my parents? ›
"Anne With an E" is rated TV-PG according to Netflix, and it certainly is darker and more serious than Montgomery's light-hearted, often humorous book. This new series portrays Anne Shirley in perhaps a more realistic light as a traumatized young orphan who's been neglected her young life.
What mental illness does Anne with an E have? ›
She was Anne with an E. She was Anne with ADHD. And they were all the same person. For adults with ADHD, if the process of re-reading fiction to look for ourselves feels familiar, it is because it parallels a process we have most likely already been through.
Why did Marilla never marry? ›
Christine Marilla missed her chance to marry her beau because of what she called a silly quarrel. Their pride prevented them from reconciling. Jennifer Marilla did not marry John Blythe because it would require her leaving Green Gables.
How is Anne With An E LGBTQ? ›
Through Aunt Jo and Cole, ANNE WITH AN E shed light on what life was like for the LGBTQ community in the late 1890s. It showed the challenges and emotions that come with feeling like one doesn't belong and the intolerance from society at the time. However, it also showed acceptance, love, and hope.
What happened to Anne With An E's parents? ›
Anne was orphaned as an infant of three months, when her parents died of typhoid fever. Without any other relations, Anne was taken in by the Shirleys' housekeeper, Mrs. Thomas.
Is Anne With An E okay for Christians? ›
It portrays Christianity and family in a positive light, but contains some Romantic, feminist elements. There are also some innuendoes about the birds and the bees, plus some challenging themes about harsh treatment and bigotry against orphans. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for ANNE WITH AN E.
Some initially speculated that the reason for the show's cancelation was that it didn't meet the ratings necessary to fund the production of the show. To clarify this further, the show's producer Moria Walley-Beckett wrote in an Instagram post: "Please know that we fought. We tried to change their minds.
Is Anne autistic in Anne with an E? ›
True, but autistic people certainly did. I think the Netflix's Anne of Green Gables adaptation, Anne with an E, did a pretty good job. Anne (and to some extent, Matthew) is coded as autistic, but in a way that is really nuanced and shows the world through her eyes.
How old was Anne in season 1? ›
Amybeth McNulty stars as Anne, a 13-year-old who has endured an abusive childhood in orphanages and the homes of strangers. In the late 1890s, Anne is mistakenly sent to live with aging siblings, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, who live on Prince Edward Island.
Why is Anne with an E so popular? ›
What people love the most about Anne is how she expresses her poetic love for the world around her and other people. You can feel how big her heart is and can relate to her large dreams and excited wonder. She is a kind soul and a “kindred spirit” not just to her best friend, Diana Berry, but to the audience as well.
Does Anne with an E kiss anyone? ›
During the last scene of the season three finale “The Better Feeling of My Heart,” Gilbert finds out about Anne's original letter and he flees to her before they both leave for college. When they meet, they finally kiss.
Does Anne with an E find out about her parents? ›
She comes to an agreement with Matthew and Marilla, who also bring her the missing piece of her childhood. She discovers her parents' identities and that she's inherited her mother's hair. This helps Anne finally accept herself and appreciate her physical appearance.
What does Anne reveal about her father and mother? ›
Detailed Answer :Annes diary reveals that she had full trust on her wise father but at the same time it reveals that she was full of grief as she felt that her mother never tried to understand her.
What did Anne realize about her mother? ›
Anne talks about her mother a lot in her diary. She has stating that her mother doesn't understand her, that her mother is a bad example, and that her mother isn't a real mother to her. Anne said all of these things about her mother but now she is trying to take up for her mom and see her “mums” side of the story.
What does Anne tell about her family? ›
Anne Frank tells that she has very lovely and caring family. Her parents and her elder sister love her a lot. There are about thirty people near by her whom she can call friends. She has loving aunts and a good home but she wants to have a true friend with whom she can share her feelings and thoughts.
What happened to Anne with an E's parents? ›
Anne was orphaned as an infant of three months, when her parents died of typhoid fever. Without any other relations, Anne was taken in by the Shirleys' housekeeper, Mrs. Thomas.
