Despite her criticisms of Anne, Marilla changes over the
course of these chapters, even revising her own moral code because
of Anne’s different perspective. Sometimes when Marilla feels she should
reprimand Anne, she thinks about the logic of such a scolding and
decides against criticizing. For example, when Anne returns from
church and calls the preacher unimaginative and boring, Marilla
admits to herself that she shares these exact feelings, although
she has been unwilling to acknowledge them in the past. As Marilla
and Anne begin to understand each other better, they start to question
their own standards of judgment and to accept each other’s moral
codes.
