L. M. Montgomery, who gave hope to so many, lost hope herself

Writers and artists are often more sensitive than other people. We feel things more–like Anne in Anne of Green Gables. I always identified with her strong highs and deep lows, flights of imagination, and her deep compassion, her ability to put herself into others’ shoes. Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite childhood books; the series made me feel good, helped me get through hard times, and gave me some hope.

I found it painful, but not surprising, to find that L. M. Montgomery suffered from depression, and killed herself late in her life. It saddened me to find that out–but I think it’s better to bring painful things into the open than to hide them. I applaud the courage it must have taken Kate MacDonald Butler, L. M. Montgomery’s daughter, to tell the truth to the world.

Butler’s motivation to tell people was a positive, healing one: “I have come to feel very strongly that the stigma surrounding mental illness will be forever upon us as a society until we sweep away the misconception that depression happens to other people, not us – and most certainly not to our heroes and icons. … I hope that by writing about my grandmother now there might be less secrecy and more awareness that will ease the unnecessary suffering so many people experience as a result of such depressions.”

I think that people can feel less alone, maybe even gain some sense of hope or support, in knowing that someone else has been through what they have–and in seeing that there is nothing to be ashamed about, as the cloak of silence and secrecy is lifted. That is, in a way, a gift that Butler has given us, though it is a painful one.

I also experience depression and anxiety. Some of it has, I think, to do with my being very sensitive and creative in a world that does not always welcome or support that, and some of it has to do with the childhood abuse I endured. Of course it doesn’t help that part of being a writer often involves long years of rejection, work in isolation, and uncertainty. But I see writing entertaining stories with hope in them as a way to offer hope and delight to others, the way L. M. Montgomery did. I hope she knew how much pleasure she gave to so many children and teens.

You can read more about L. M. Montgomery and what her granddaughter has to say about this in the Globe & Mail article.

What do you think about this? Do you enjoy L. M. Montgomery’s books? Do you experience depression?

I saw the information about L. M. Montgomery mentioned in many blogs, but it took me a few days to process it and feel okay enough about it to write about it. I saw it mentioned or discussed at Jen Robinson’s Book Page, Charlotte’s Library, Sherwood Smith’s Oached Pish, BookNinja,
Bildungsroman, and The Swivet.

September 28th, 2008