Lucy Maud Montgomery, the cherished Canadian author best known for Anne of Green Gables, found inspiration in Thanksgiving. She wove it into her stories as a time of family and reflection. Although not as central as Christmas or spring, Thanksgiving in her works symbolizes the harvest season’s warmth and gratitude.
A Glimpse into History
Montgomery wrote during a period when Canadian Thanksgiving was evolving. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it had become a celebration of harvest and gratitude. This celebration typically takes place in October—right when autumn’s colors are at their peak.
Thanksgiving Tales
“Aunt Susanna’s Thanksgiving Dinner” (1907):
Published in The Housewife magazine, this tale follows four sisters—Laura, Kate, Margaret, and Agnes—as they prepare a Thanksgiving feast for their Aunt Susanna. The twist? They’re hoping Aunt Susanna will fund Margaret’s college education. When their dinner plans go awry, Montgomery’s blend of humor and serious themes shines through. She captures the essence of family dynamics and women’s aspirations beyond traditional roles.
“The Bartletts’ Thanksgiving Day” (1914):
In New England Homestead, Montgomery explores estrangement and reconciliation. Thanksgiving serves as the backdrop for healing a twelve-year rift between father and daughter. It showcases the holiday’s power to mend family wounds.
Autumn in Major Works
Thanksgiving isn’t the main focus in her famous Anne series or the Emily trilogy. However, Montgomery encapsulates autumn’s spirit in vivid prose. In Anne of Green Gables, she describes November’s beauty:
“It was November—the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul.”
This passage captures the atmospheric essence of autumn, setting the scene for Thanksgiving celebrations.
Themes in Montgomery’s Thanksgiving Writing
Family Reconciliation
In tales like “The Bartletts’ Thanksgiving Day,” holiday gatherings become a chance for healing. This reflects Montgomery’s belief in the power of celebration to soften hearts.
Domestic Challenges and Humor
“Aunt Susanna’s Thanksgiving Dinner” highlights the comedy in domestic mishaps, while acknowledging the pressures women face in managing household expectations.
Gratitude Amid Hardship
Montgomery emphasizes joy in simple pleasures and gratitude despite challenges, aligning perfectly with Thanksgiving’s spirit.
Montgomery’s Perspective on Holidays
Montgomery viewed holidays as anchors in rural life, offering moments for community connection and reflection. Her own complex family history, including being orphaned and raised by grandparents, likely influenced her portrayal of these gatherings. Her Thanksgiving stories are infused with emotional authenticity, blending joy with the complexities of family dynamics.
Cultural Impact
Montgomery’s depictions of rural Canadian life and holiday traditions shape our understanding of early 20th-century customs. Her Thanksgiving stories, though less known, contribute to Canada’s literary holiday tradition, preserving cultural details and historical celebrations.
What’s Next?
While Thanksgiving might not dominate Montgomery’s works, her stories beautifully capture its essence. She illustrates Thanksgiving as a time of both joy and intensified family dynamics. She does this through characters navigating family tensions and personal dreams. Her writing reflects a belief in the redeeming power of nature, community, and love—complicated yet enduring. For Montgomery, Thanksgiving was a moment for gratitude and reconciliation, themes that echo throughout her literary legacy.
So, dear reader, how do you celebrate the season of gratitude? What stories resonate with you during this time? Let’s share and connect in the spirit of Thanksgiving.
