🌿 LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY🌿 // her life, works, and legacy // Author Appreciation #1

Summary

This video celebrates the life and works of L.M. Montgomery, the acclaimed Canadian author behind *Anne of Green Gables* and numerous other beloved novels. The host explores Montgomery's early life, personal struggles with loss, depression, and an unhappy marriage, alongside her remarkable literary achievements. Key works, including the *Anne* series, the *Emily* trilogy, and adult novels like *The Blue Castle*, are highlighted for their imaginative storytelling, rich portrayal of nature, humor, and enduring emotional depth. The video also emphasizes Montgomery’s lasting impact on readers worldwide, her spiritual and moral insights, and the continued celebration of her legacy through adaptations and the L.M. Montgomery Institute.

Takeaways

• 📅 LM Montgomery, also known as Maud, was born on November 30, 1874, in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and faced a challenging childhood after her mother died when she was less than two years old.
• 📚 She always knew she wanted to be an author, despite early rejections and failed attempts at publication, and her determination led to a prolific writing career.
• 🌟 Her breakthrough came in 1908 with the publication of 'Anne of Green Gables,' which has become a beloved classic worldwide.
• 💔 Maud experienced intense personal struggles, including unfulfilled romantic love, a difficult marriage, depression, migraines, and the pressures of motherhood.
• ✍️ Her writing often reflects her own life experiences, with characters and stories mirroring her emotions, imagination, and challenges.
• 🌿 Nature plays a central role in her works, depicted with vivid, poetic language that makes landscapes almost characters themselves.
• 🎭 She wrote across multiple genres, including novels for children and adults, short stories, poetry, and journals, with recurring themes of imagination, enchantment, and empathy.
• 😄 Humor, wisdom, and spiritual insight are woven into her stories, making them rich in both emotional depth and life lessons.
• 🌍 LM Montgomery’s works have had a global impact, inspiring generations of readers and adaptations like the 'Anne of Green Gables' miniseries.
• 🏛️ Her legacy is preserved through the LM Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island, which promotes research and celebrates her life and works.
• 💌 Her writings encourage readers to maintain childlike wonder, embrace imagination, and find joy and beauty in the everyday moments of life.
• 📖 Beyond her novels, Maud’s journals, autobiography 'The Alpine Path,' and numerous short story collections provide insight into her personal life, creative process, and literary philosophy.

Q & A

Who was L.M. Montgomery and why is she significant?

L.M. Montgomery, born Lucy Maud Montgomery on November 30, 1874, in Prince Edward Island, Canada, was a prolific author whose works, including Anne of Green Gables, have had a lasting impact on literature globally. Her writing is celebrated for its vivid depiction of nature, imaginative storytelling, and deep understanding of human emotions.

What aspects of L.M. Montgomery's childhood influenced her writing?

Montgomery lost her mother at a young age and was raised by her maternal grandparents, which made her childhood lonely but fostered her imagination and creativity. These early experiences profoundly shaped her literary style and the themes of resilience and imagination found in her works.

What were some personal challenges L.M. Montgomery faced in her adult life?

Montgomery struggled with depression, migraines, and the pressures of being a minister's wife. She also endured the emotional impact of global events like the Spanish flu epidemic and the World Wars. Her romantic life included unfulfilled love and an unhappy marriage.

What is the Anne of Green Gables series about and why is it significant?

The Anne of Green Gables series follows Anne Shirley, an imaginative orphan who arrives at Green Gables in Prince Edward Island. The series, starting in 1908, explores themes of personal growth, love, teaching, and resilience. It is significant for its enduring popularity, memorable characters, and its reflection of Montgomery's own life experiences.

How did L.M. Montgomery incorporate her own experiences into her characters?

Many of Montgomery’s characters, such as Emily from the Emily of New Moon series and Anne Shirley, reflect aspects of her own life. Themes like ambition, creativity, the struggle to fit in, and the desire for freedom mirror her personal experiences and emotional struggles.

What are some lesser-known works by L.M. Montgomery that were discussed?

L.M. Montgomery also wrote adult novels like The Blue Castle and Jane of Lantern Hill, as well as other works such as Magic for Marigold, Kilmeny of the Orchard, The Story Girl, Pat of Silver Bush, Mistress Pat, and A Tangled Web. She published numerous short stories, poems, journals, and an autobiography called The Alpine Path.

What role does nature play in Montgomery's writing?

Nature is often portrayed as a living, breathing character in Montgomery’s works, described in vivid and poetic detail. Passages highlight the beauty of Prince Edward Island, seasons, sunsets, and fields, creating an immersive atmosphere and emphasizing the spiritual and emotional connection between characters and the natural world.

How has L.M. Montgomery influenced readers and literary culture?

Montgomery's works have inspired readers worldwide, fostering imagination, empathy, and appreciation for storytelling. Her legacy includes the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island, which promotes research on her life and works, as well as adaptations like the Anne of Green Gables miniseries.

What are some notable quotes from Montgomery’s works mentioned in the video?

Notable quotes include: 'I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,' 'Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it?' and from The Story Girl: 'There is such a place as Fairyland, but only children can find the way to it.' These reflect her themes of wonder, hope, and appreciation for life’s small joys.

How does L.M. Montgomery address spiritual or philosophical themes in her writing?

Montgomery often incorporates spiritual and philosophical reflections, emphasizing childlike wonder, the pursuit of joy, moral lessons, and the importance of imagination. Her works encourage readers to find enchantment in everyday life and to maintain hope and positivity despite challenges.

What impact did L.M. Montgomery's unpublished works and legal battles have on her legacy?

Some of Montgomery’s works, such as further stories in The Chronicles of Avonlea, were published by her publishers without her permission, leading to a nearly decade-long legal battle. These incidents highlight her commitment to authorial control and provide insight into the challenges she faced in maintaining her literary integrity.