The scope of Anne's imagination: gift or defense?

Well, it's both, plain and simple. A body can't deny the hardships that child has seen, bouncing from one place to the next, never truly wanted. It's no wonder she'd retreat into a world of her own making. But that imagination of hers, it's also what makes her special, isn't it? It's what makes her Anne, and it's brought a spark to Green Gables and Avonlea that we didn't even know we were missing. A bit much at times, mind you, but a gift nonetheless.

I... I agree with Mrs. Lynde. It's been a hard life for her, no doubt. A body can see it in her eyes sometimes, a sadness. But that imagination... it's a powerful thing. It helps her, and it helps us too, see the beauty in things. Like Diana said, even a pond can be special.

Indeed, as Mrs. Lynde noted, Anne's had a tough go of it before coming to Avonlea. It's easy to see how imagining things differently, like calling the Barry's pond "Lake of Shining Waters," helps her cope, you know? (giggles) But it's more than just a shield, I think. It makes everything more exciting! Remember when we pretended the woods were haunted? A plain old walk would be so boring otherwise!