War

War in its many forms, and its many consequences, constitutes one of the major themes of "Rilla of Ingleside." Especially for those readers who have read the earlier books in the "Anne" series, this external disruption and intrusion into the happily-constructed Ingleside family is particularly jarring. The personal consequences of war are particularly relevant to the book, as each character changes because of events happening an ocean away. Rilla, of course, is forced to grow up, nevertheless developing into a mature and serene woman she otherwise might not have become. The ever-spirited Anne of Green Gables (Mrs. Blythe) loses her most sensitive son, causing her deep sorrow. Other characters, as well, change, sometimes physically (for example, Jem returns with his limp). The loss of control that the family feels serves as a microcosm of families around the world who suffered through the same kinds of events. The novel...