In both of the books Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery and Island by Allistar Macleod, each author plays on the readers five senses in order to give them the ability to place themselves in the context of the story in certain places in Canada, even though some of their readers have never been to Canada before. In Anne of Green Gables, there are many beautiful evocative descriptions of nature throughout the book, which gives the reader the ability to place themselves on Prince Edward Island standing right beside Anne as she progresses through this journey of her life. In Island, there is an art to his storytelling by the way he describes the places in his story such as Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, with such captivating representations.
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One instance out of many instances throughout the book where the reader can essentially feel what Anne describes as touching in the story is when Marilla’s death is near and Anne touches her hair. Montgomery says, ‘“Yes, indeed. I shall never forget it,” smiled Anne, touching the heavy braid of hair that was wound about her shapely head” (237). This description is easy for a reader to imagine touching because majority of people have hair and would be able to stroke their coarse hair while Anne was stroking her braid. It makes this description relatable even though it takes place in Canada, a place many readers have not traveled to. Another description where a reader can feel what Anne is touching in the story is when Anne gets in trouble for touching Marilla’s amethyst brooch. Montgomery says, “Of course, it was very lovely but it wasn’t my idea of a diamond. Will you let me hold the brooch for one minute, Marilla? Do you think amethysts can be the souls of good violets?”’ (81). This description of touch allows the reader to not only imagine the anticipation Anne felt in wanting to touch the brooch, but also being able to imagine how the brooch would feel in the hands of someone who had never held one before. These five senses that Montgomery portrays countless times throughout her story allow someone reading her story to visually tour Prince Edward Island and Green Gables, without actually having to travel there, because her words are so descriptive and
One instance out of many instances throughout the book where the reader can essentially feel what Anne describes as touching in the story is when Marilla’s death is near and Anne touches her hair. Montgomery says, ‘“Yes, indeed. I shall never forget it,” smiled Anne, touching the heavy braid of hair that was wound about her shapely head” (237). This description is easy for a reader to imagine touching because majority of people have hair and would be able to stroke their coarse hair while Anne was stroking her braid. It makes this description relatable even though it takes place in Canada, a place many readers have not traveled to. Another description where a reader can feel what Anne is touching in the story is when Anne gets in trouble for touching Marilla’s amethyst brooch. Montgomery says, “Of course, it was very lovely but it wasn’t my idea of a diamond. Will you let me hold the brooch for one minute, Marilla? Do you think amethysts can be the souls of good violets?”’ (81). This description of touch allows the reader to not only imagine the anticipation Anne felt in wanting to touch the brooch, but also being able to imagine how the brooch would feel in the hands of someone who had never held one before. These five senses that Montgomery portrays countless times throughout her story allow someone reading her story to visually tour Prince Edward Island and Green Gables, without actually having to travel there, because her words are so descriptive and