#mr. phillips

[ydotome]

Anne Shirley! Since you seem to be so fond of the boys' company, we shall indulge your taste for this afternoon. That's a boy's seat. Poor her. Anne. - Anne Shirley - Episode 3 

[lineycantdance]

AwaE's "Tale of the Magical Island" play

In the the sixth episode of Season 2 of Anne with an E entitled "I Protest Against Any Absolute Conclusion," the community of Avonlea comes together to put on the annual Christmas Pantomime. In this meta, I offer my analysis of this story within a story.

Not only does the plot of the panto draw heavily upon the story of Adam and Eve, but in my interpretation, it also allegorically serves as a way for Avonlea to use the medium of the theatre to process and come to grips with the threat that the grifters posed to their "magical island" community.

First, a brief synopsis of the play:

The opening number introduces the audience to an agrarian community residing on a "Magic Fantastical Island." Our hero, a farm boy, encounters a Fairy Princess who, seeing The Boy's hard work and goodness, bestows upon him a Golden Apple Tree which he vows to faithfully protect. A Dame happens upon the Golden Apple Tree and asks The Boy to hand her one of its fruits, but he refuses. When the Dame steals an apple, the Devil Lobster appears accompanied by a catchy tune. Things seem bleak when the Devil Lobster gets ahold of one of the apples, but a Prince on a noble steed arrives to vanquish the evil foe. However, the Devil Lobster thwarts the Prince by crushing his sword in his claws. As stormy skies swirl overhead, The Boy digs a large Black Hole with his trusty shovel and tricks the Devil Lobster into falling in. The hole swallows up the Devil Lobster, the day is saved, and they all lived happily ever after!

The Panto as Allegory for the Grifter Arc:

Ultimately, this play tells a simple story in which good triumphs over evil with a moral about resisting temptation and the perils of greed.

I would like to call attention to the fact that the apples are painted gold. Like their edenic counterpart, they symbolize sin and temptation, but in the context of this allegory, they also represent the enticing prospect of finding gold in Avonlea.

One of the Prince's lines suggests that if the Devil Lobster got his hands on the golden apples, it would bring spoil and rot upon the town's land ("You think you can turn our land into rot?/ I'm the unconquerable prince, lest you forgot!"). This parallels the threat that the mining operation posed to Avonlea—digging up the earth in the hopes of finding gold would have defiled the land and brought environmental destruction to the small farming town.

The Devil Lobster is defeated by falling into the Black Hole—this bears a striking resemblance to how Mr. Dunlop was ultimately caught by the townsfolk in S2E3 after he fell down the mining shaft at Nate's dig site.

It's significant that The Boy is the one who digs the hole to stop the Devil Lobster. The Boy represents the every child, and more specifically, the youth of Avonlea. While the adults of the town were easily swindled by Nate and Mr. Dunlop's gold scheme, it was children, specifically Anne, Diana, and to some extent Jerry, who were able to see through the grifters' ruse, put all the pieces together, and try to stop them from getting away with their scheme.

The version of events rendered in the play puts a more heroic spin on the role The Boy plays in thwarting the evildoer. He actively sets a trap for the Devil Lobster using the pivotal prop—a shovel—to do so. Since a shovel is a tool of excavation, this reflects how the excavation site Nate initially used to stage his con became a trap and holding place for Dunlop when their ruse came crashing down.

In reality, our child heroes were not so active nor successful in thwarting Nate and Dunlop. Only Dunlop was captured whereas Nate got away with the money. After their sleuthing in Charlottetown, Anne and Diana tried to warn the Barrys about what they'd discovered, but Diana's mother wouldn't hear any of it. Anne told Marilla who thankfully believed her, but by then it was too late, and the two literally got tied up. Meanwhile, Jerry had his own moment of realization, finally recognizing the boarders as the thieves who mugged him and stole his money in the finale of season 1. He tried to throw a punch at Nate, but got beat up again and fell unconscious. Mr. Dunlop only fell into the hole, not by any of the children's doing, but because he and Nate turned against each other.

The play credits the children as the real heroes in the story and offers a happier ending than the real version of events in which the community is still reeling from the financial blow of the con, lingering distrust—especially of outsiders—and feelings of regret and shame. In particular, we see how Marilla blames herself for inviting the boarders into their community and how the fallout of the the con hits the Barrys especially hard, manifesting as marital conflict between Diana's parents. The play's happier version of events helps the town process the ordeal they've gone through and imparts a moral they learned from the experience.

Each Character's Role in the Panto:

Anne as The Boy: Like the show itself, Anne is the protagonist of the play, our plucky hero. Her stepping into the role of The Boy was foreshadowed with her trip to Carmody earlier in the episode during which she dressed up like a boy. It's also fitting that Anne plays this part since she was the one who put all the clues together about the boarders' true intentions. The fact that Anne replaces Josie in the lead role of the play, as well as Matthew's last-minute substitution for Billy as the Owl, signifies that Anne and the Cuthberts are forces of progressive change in Avonlea.

Diana as the Fairy Princess: Most characters, including Anne, see Diana as the angelic image of a proper lady. She's generous, sweet, beautiful, and comes from a wealthy family. Like her Fairy Princess counterpart who awards The Boy for his hard work, Diana sees Anne's virtues even when others don't, and overall is a supportive and generous friend.

Matthew as the Owl: Matthew stepping into this role is foreshadowed in his flashback with his brother Michael in which a young Matthew can be seen whittling an owl figurine. Owls are associated with wisdom and true sight. This is a fitting choice for a narrator character in a play and also suits Matthew who demonstrates real wisdom.

Mr. Lynde as the Devil Lobster: In S2E2, a townsperson remarks that Mr. Lynde shows no moderation whatsoever as he piles his plate full of sweets. The Devil Lobster is the embodiment of greed and avarice and proclaims that he is "simply shimmering with sin." Tamatoa who? I only know the Devil Lobster! Also, it's clear that Rachel is super into seeing her husband acting a bit naughty and decided to have some fun with this casting choice.

The minister as the Fair Dame: Seeing the minister in drag is played for comedic effect. The Dame plays the part of Eve taking the apple from the Garden of Eden. While the minister was skeptical about the gold testing business, he did not dissuade the town's eagerness for material riches and therefore also shares responsibility for inviting avarice into Avonlea.

Mr. Phillips as the "Unconquerable" Prince: This is also played for laughs as it demonstrates Mr. Phillip's inflated sense of ego. He envisions himself as a gallant hero when in reality, he is anything but. The Prince is ineffectual at fighting off the Devil Lobster and runs away like a coward, much like how the adults and authority figures of Avonlea were completely bamboozled by the grifters.

Rachel Lynde as Queen Victoria: Perhaps a narcissistic casting choice on the part of Rachel, but let's be real, she was the artistic director behind this whole production and knocked it out of the park. Pop off, queen!

I hope you enjoyed this discussion of the "play within a play" in S2E6 of Anne with and E. This is probably my favorite episode in the whole series due to its many wholesome moments, especially Jerry giving Anne his Christmas card, Gilbert and Bash coming over to the Cuthbert's for Christmas dinner, and Matthew overcoming his stage fright. 10/10 would recommend. Of course the Christmas episode absolutely slaps!

[stephentraceyfan]

Mr.Phillips LOSING IT

Hated the character. LOVED THE ACTOR. Thoughts?

[writerxwren]

I'm sorry but why does this loser look like Temu Nikola Tesla

[dailyshirbert]

Avonlea school always enjoyed a scene. This was an especially enjoyable one. Everybody said “Oh” in horrified delight. Diana gasped. Ruby Gillis, who was inclined to be hysterical, began to cry. Tommy Sloane let his team of crickets escape him altogether while he stared open-mouthed at the tableau.

Mr. Phillips stalked down the aisle and laid his hand heavily on Anne’s shoulder.

“Anne Shirley, what does this mean?” he said angrily. Anne turned to answer. It was asking too much of flesh and blood to expect her to tell before the whole school that she had been called ‘carrots’. Gilbert it was who spoke up stoutly.

“It was my fault Mr. Phillips. I teased her.”

Chapter XV. {A Tempest in the School Teapot} Anne of Green Gables

[sweetbuckybarnes]

Teachers are vital to a student's education

Pairings: Gilbert Blythe + Anne Shirley

Summary: Doctor Blythe takes his wife out for a slow and gentle walk around town before the arrival of their baby. or: Gilbert and Anne take a walk and run into an old face.

Anne's due date was rapidly approaching, as the summer days grew shorter and shorter. This was the second time she was pregnant, and the pair were silently petrified that they would lose this babe the way they lost Joy.

"Anne, why don't we go take a slow walk in town?" Gilbert offered, knowing that she was slowly getting more and more frustrated with the same four walls of their 'house of dreams'.

Anne smiled up at her husband, taking his face in her hands and pressing a kiss to his lips. Moments like these she had craved when she was attending Queens and Redmond. "Oh, Gil. My imagination has been running wild these past few weeks. How delightful to go outside!" Anne exclaimed, her Anneness making Gilbert smile happily at her.

The little things like these made Anne who she was. Anne Shirley-Cuthbert Blythe, the love of his life, his beautiful bride, the mother of his unborn child and precious Joy.

Gilbert leaned down and pressed a sweet kiss to her forehead, "We'll go in a few hours, is that ok, Anne-girl?" He asked, resting his hand on the bump that Anne was growing their baby inside.

After they lost Joy, he honestly thought he was going to lose Anne as well - either to death or possible divorce... But they'd gotten through to the other side, they spent months mourning their little girl, and easily falling back on each other when it was needed. Gilbert had to bring happy, healthy babies into the world, and it broke him more nights than not, that he couldn't save his baby girl.

They were slowly walking through the town, a basket in Gilbert's hand (which contained some more fabric for Anne to make their baby's clothes - wondering if the babe would be a boy, as well as the 'Aida' fabric that Diana said would be good for the craft she'd been told of, of cross stitch. With a book, Anne would be able to pick it up easily).

They were gently strolling, Anne's arm looped through Gilbert's, his eyes flicking between the people walking around them quickly and his pregnant wife.

As Gilbert watched people go past, for a split second he thought he saw their old school teacher, Mr Phillips - who only took care in helping Prissy Andrews with her Queen's Entrance Exams, and was jilted at the alter by said the young woman.

Another look confirmed his suspicions.

"Anne-girl, look. It's Mr Phillips," Gilbert pointed out, making sure not to point at the man as his wife looked up from where it was cradling her baby bump.

"My word! He hasn't changed one, bit!" Anne stated, looking away from her former teacher and up at her husband. "He never saw us as equals, not the way that Miss Stacey does," Anne lived to say that she and Gilbert were equals in everything (despite what society thinks and says), and the thought of their beloved teacher who had helped Anne get to Queen's and Gilbert to Toronto.

"Not in the way that we do," Gilbert said softly, bending his head gently and pressed an adoring kiss to get cheek.

Her face was glowing, cheeks had become almost as chubby as they were last time they were expecting.

"Mr Blythe! Miss Shirley-Cuthbert! What are you doing here?" Mr Phillips had noticed then (somehow remembered their names and faces) and was being surprisingly amicable.

"I wanted to let Anne get some fresh air before the baby arrives," Gilbert said, his arm cradling Anne's moved to press to her stomach, feeling the slight kick of their baby.

Mr Phillips was surprised, considering how they were when he left - still competing for the top spot in every lesson, bickering like the children they once were.

"I'm surprised that it was you too," Mr Phillips said, looking between the pair - married and expecting their first child.

Gilbert raised a questioning eyebrow, it had always been clear on his face that he adored Anne.

"Afternoon Dr Blythe," one of Gilbert's patients spoke, pulling the man to look over his shoulder - David Williams and his newborn baby boy Michael.

"Afternoon Mr Williams," Gilbert replied, Anne, echoing his acknowledgement. "I trust Mrs Williams and the baby are fine?" He enquired, in turn, the new father pulled his son from the pram - allowing the doctor to see for himself.

Anne instantly started cooing, allowing her finger to run along the babes soft cheek. "Are you a cutie!" Anne smiled, her other hand resting on the bump.

Gilbert nodded, a small assessment showing that the baby boy was happy and healthy.

"Congratulations on your impending arrival," Mr Williams said, as Gilbert handed his son back. "Your Joyce would have been so happy to be a big sister," he said, a silent moment of heartbreak between them could have been/will be parents.

"Thank you, Mr Williams," Anne's soft voice spoke. She always went quiet whenever Joy was mentioned, the heartbreak over losing their baby girl will always be a part of them.

With a promise to allow Gilbert to check the babe over later in the week, Mr Williams and his son wandered further into town.

Mr Phillips looked between the pair surprised. "This isn't your first child?" He asked as a sad look came over both of their faces.

"No. We lost our Joy the same day," Gilbert said, as Anne shuffled that little bit closer to her husband.

Gilbert wrapped his arm around her shoulder. They will always feel the ache after they lost her. Gilbert knew that Anne still struggled with it, and he could have lost his beloved wife as well. He doesn't know what he would have done if he lost Anne as well as Joyce.

Anne rested her head on Gilbert's shoulder, the ache of missing motherhood with Joy will stick around with her for the rest of her life.

Gilbert wanted to get away from Mr Phillips before the man says anything to offend Anne. He still remembers when he called Anne a boy and asked her why she was sat on the girls' side. "We really must be going, Mr Phillips," Gilbert tells the man, making the older gentleman nod.

"Good afternoon, Dr Blythe, Mrs Blythe," Mr Phillips said to them, tipping his hat (considering they were in public) and walked away.

Gilbert nodded to their former teacher and turned his attention to his wife. "Anne-girl," it was a nickname he'd picked up for her when he was in Toronto before he went to medical school. "Do you want to head on home?"

A small nod of her head and Gilbert was gently leading her home. Everything that his darling Anne had gone throughout her childhood - she had managed to come out stronger on the other side. But the small moments that made her feel 2 feet tall, and it made him feel like a bad husband, earlier fiancé, and before that beau.

[shewhotellsstories]

I very much want to see Billy Andrews get punched again. And I’ve never understood people like Mr. Phillips. Why become a teacher if you don’t like kids?

[incorrectclassicbookquotes]

Mr. Phillips: How did none of you hear what I just said?

Diana Barry: I’ve been zoned out for the past two and a half hours.

Anne Shirley: I got distracted about halfway through.

Gilbert Blythe: Ignoring you was a conscious decision.